Day 161: The Crucifixion of Christ (2026)
On the final day of the Gospel of Mark, Fr. Mike Schmitz leads a profound meditation on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, framing the cross not as a symbol of defeat but as the ultimate expression of divine love. He emphasizes that Jesus' cry of abandonment—'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'—is not a moment of divine rejection, but a deliberate embrace of human suffering, fulfilling Psalm 22 in real time. The crucifix, with its corpus, serves as a visceral reminder that sin cost God Himself, yet it is not the suffering that saves us—it is the love that endured it. Fr. Mike reframes death not as an enemy, but as a 'mother' who delivers us into eternal life, transformed by Christ's victory. The resurrection is not a footnote to the cross, but the fulfillment of the psalm's promise: generations will proclaim God's deliverance. This day marks not an end, but a threshold—where suffering is redeemed, and hope is resurrected.
The crucifix is not a symbol of defeat but a visual reminder that sin cost God His own Son.
Jesus' cry of abandonment was not real abandonment, but a fulfillment of Psalm 22, showing God's presence in suffering.
Death is not the enemy—it is transformed into a 'mother' who brings us into eternal life through Christ.
The resurrection is not a side note—it is the fulfillment of the psalm’s promise: future generations will proclaim God’s deliverance.
Jesus was not held on the cross by nails or sin, but by love—His love for you is the reason He stayed.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Day 161: The Final Day of Mark
Fr. Mike introduces the final day of reading the Gospel of Mark, emphasizing its solemnity and significance as the culmination of the second messianic checkpoint. He previews the reading of Mark 15–16 and Psalm 22, and announces the upcoming shift to the divided kingdom in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles.
Jesus Before Pilate and the Crucifixion
The narrative of Jesus’ trial before Pilate unfolds, including the crowd’s demand for Barabbas, Pilate’s hesitation, and Jesus’ silent endurance. The soldiers mock Jesus, crown Him with thorns, and crucify Him, fulfilling the prophecy of suffering and rejection.
The Burial and the Women at the Tomb
Joseph of Arimathea courageously requests Jesus’ body, which Pilate grants after confirming His death. He buries Jesus in a rock-hewn tomb. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome witness the burial, setting the stage for the resurrection.
The Resurrection: The First Witnesses
The women arrive at the tomb early on the first day of the week, find the stone rolled away, and encounter a young man who announces Jesus has risen. They flee in fear, but the message is clear: He is not here—he is risen.
The Ascension and the Great Commission
Jesus appears to the disciples, rebukes their unbelief, and commissions them to preach the gospel to all creation. He promises signs to accompany believers and ascends into heaven, seated at the right hand of God, with the Church empowered to spread His message.
“And it's not, it is not the nails that kept Jesus on the cross. It's his love for you. And it's not even our sins that kept him on the cross. It is his love for you.”
“Death is no longer the enemy but death is our mother. And she gives birth to us in your presence.”
“The end of the story is not the crucifixion. The end of the story is God does this out of love for us because our sins are the price.”
Host
Jesus Christ
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Fr. Mike Schmitz
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Psalm 22
other
Mary Magdalene
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Pilate
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Great Adventure Bible
book
Joseph of Arimathea
person
Barabbas
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Ascension
organization
centurion
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Day 150: The Dedication of the Temple (2026)
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Day 152: Being Forgotten (2026)
18m • 6/1/2026
Day 153: The Decline of Solomon (2026)
23m • 6/2/2026
Day 158: The Reality of Sin (2026)
28m • 6/7/2026
Day 159: Bearing Fruit (2026)
22m • 6/8/2026
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