Mark 15 · Ps 134

Devotion 1 of 2: Mark 15

Mark 15 question: This chapter shows Jesus on trial and then being crucified.
1) Why do you think Jesus didn’t answer the chief priests’ accusations in v.3-5?
2) The soldiers put a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head (v.17) and then struck Him on the head (v.19). If we are healed by Jesus’ wounds (1 Pet 2:24), what kind of healing do you think the wounds on Jesus’ head provided for mankind?
3) In v.34, Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” How does the Unification Church interpret this, and what is the true meaning of this cry?

Mark 15 answer: 1) Because that’s what the Father directed him to do. “…whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19).
2) Healing for our mental anguish and sicknesses.
3) The Unification Church claims this proves the cross was a failure, so that’s why another Christ (Sun Myung Moon, Bun Sen Mei) needed to come to produce salvation for mankind. But that interpretation is completely wrong! The true meaning of Jesus’ words is that yes, the Father did forsake Jesus on the cross, but it was because Jesus took all of mankind’s sins upon Himself, and the Father could not accept the Son in that state! But Jesus needed to do that in order to save mankind from our sins! So Jesus’ words didn’t mean defeat, but rather, they meant the work of redemption succeeded!
**Thank you, Jesus, for what You went through to provide salvation and healing for us! We love You and promise to serve You all the days of our life!

Devotion 2 of 2: Ps 134

This is the last of the 15 Songs of Ascent (Ps 120-134), which were sung by pilgrims as they climbed the hills on their way to Jerusalem 3 times a year to participate in one of the 3 main feasts of Israel. This psalm is especially encouraging those who served in the house of the Lord during the night time (v.1). When we bless the Lord through prayer and praise (v.2), the Lord will also bless us from Zion, where the Tabernacle of David stood (v.3)!