Daily Bible Plan - Mark 15 & 16

02. December 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Unleashed for Kingdom Advancement / “The King Who Saved Us Through Suffering” - Mark 15:21-47 / Mark 16

Fortified City Church / Love City Church / Basel French Assembly / Luzern City Fellowship / ⁠PIWC Bern / ⁠Global prayer family

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the final month of the year—December!

We are about to take over the gates of this month as we begin our 3-day fast starting tomorrow. Are you excited? Are you spiritually prepared to engage and keep your oil flowing? I strongly believe this will be one of the most powerful fasting seasons of the entire year.

Deep in my spirit, I sense that the glory of the Lord will visit homes, bedrooms, offices—and especially the hearts of those who take the devotion seriously and read their Bibles with hunger. Something supernatural awaits those who will posture themselves correctly in this season.

Continuing from where Deaconess Eli stopped last week, I want to refresh your hearts on the closing movements of the Gospel according to Mark. Before we dive in, I encourage you: don’t just read—study.

Read Mark 15:21–47 on your own first, and then allow this devotion to anchor your understanding.

Now take your Bible, settle your heart, and let us have a sacred “chair time” with Jesus.

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📖 1. Simon of Cyrene — The Weight of the Cross (v.21)

A man named Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry Jesus’ cross. The cross was heavy—not just physically but symbolically.

The cross represents sacrifice, obedience, and surrender.

Many want to be called Christians, but only a few want to carry the cross (Luke 9:23).

Carrying the cross is painful, inconvenient, and demanding—yet it is in the cross that true discipleship is proven. ( Join our next session discipleship class)

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2. Jesus Mocked, Yet Majestic (vv.22–32)

At Golgotha, they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh. They crucified Him and divided His garments. Above His head they wrote:

“THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

But here is the truth:

He is not only the King of the Jews—He is the King of the whole world (Revelation 19:16).

Even His mockers accidentally preached the truth.

Jesus was crucified with criminals—He died among those who took, even though He spent His life giving (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The people who passed by blasphemed Him, shaking their heads (v.29), repeating His own words about the temple.

This still happens today:

When believers suffer, people ask mockingly, “Where is your God?”

But they did not understand His mission. Just as they could not discern the cross then, many still cannot discern what God is doing in His children today.

The chief priests and scribes mocked Him too. They said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.”

Take this personally from me your pastor , they did not know Jesus did not come to save Himself, He came to save us

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3. Darkness, Separation, and the Cry of Love (vv.33–36)

From the sixth to the ninth hour, darkness covered the whole land.

This takes us back to creation—“darkness was over the surface of the deep” (Genesis 1:2).

Jesus carried the full weight of sin, and creation responded accordingly.

At the ninth hour, He cried with a loud voice:

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Psalm 22:1)

God forsook His Son so that you would never be forsaken.

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

This is why we must patiently wait for others, love them, and lead them to Jesus.

Grace waited for us—we must wait for others.

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4. His Final Breath, the Torn Veil, and a Pagan’s Revelation (vv.37–39)

Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed His last.

Then the veil of the temple—the barrier between God and man—was torn in two from top to bottom. Only God could tear it from above.

Then something astonishing happened:

A Roman centurion declared, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”

What a revelation!

Even a pagan could discern what the religious leaders refused to see.

This is the mystery of grace:

Sometimes outsiders see what insiders ignore.

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5. The Women Who Followed and Ministered (vv.40–41)

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and other women watched from afar—women who had followed and ministered to Jesus from Galilee.

The role of women in ministry is powerful.

These same women will reappear in chapter 16 as the first witnesses of the resurrection.

Jesus honors those who honor Him—even when others do not.

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6. Joseph of Arimathea — Wealth Used for the Kingdom (vv.42–47)

Joseph of Arimathea, an honorable council member waiting for the Kingdom of God, boldly asked Pilate for Jesus’ body.

He wrapped Jesus in fine linen and laid Him in a tomb.

Joseph was a wealthy man, and Scripture shows us that God uses the wealthy to advance His work.

Sometimes without financial power, certain assignments cannot be accomplished.

Joseph used his resources to honor the Lord.

Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of Joses, watched where He was laid.

Again, we see the consistency of these women—faithful even in death.

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🌅 QUICK SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 16 (A Glimpse Ahead)

• The same women purchase spices to anoint Him.

• They go very early in the morning, wondering who would roll away the stone.

• God rolls it away Himself.

• They meet an angel who declares: “He is risen!”

• Jesus appears first to Mary Magdalene—

the woman out of whom He cast seven demons.

Love and honor opened her eyes before anyone else.

• The apostles initially did not believe, yet Jesus still commissioned them to preach the gospel.

• He assured them that signs will follow those who believe:

healing, tongues, authority, and power (Mark 16:15–18).

This is our call today.

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CONCLUSION

May the suffering of Christ deepen your love for Him and ignite fresh fire in your walk with God this month. Amen.

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FINAL NOTE

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