Darkness Before Dawn | Mark 15:33–41

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Randy Niemeyer from Burnsville, MN. Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Project 23. This one's for you.

Our text today is Mark 15:33-41:

And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. — Mark 15:33-41

At midday, an ominous darkness falls—three hours of suffocating blackness, a death-shroud over the land. Then, at the climax, Jesus raises his voice in the ancient Psalm:

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

In that moment, all sin’s penalty crushes him. He bears your guilt, your shame, your exile from God. Yet this is not defeat. It is not the cry of the weak. It’s the call of the prelude to the greatest dawn. When he breathes his last, the temple curtain rips—God’s presence is unleashed. And a hardened centurion, face-to-face with divine love poured out, confesses:

“Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Darkness gives way to revelation. Death leads to faith.

Your darkest seasons may feel like a time of God’s absence. You may cry, “Why, Lord?”—and that’s okay. Jesus did, too. But remember: your forsaken moment can become the gateway to deeper faith. When you hit your blackest pit, God’s curtain tears. His presence rushes in.

So when darkness comes—spiritual, emotional, relational—don’t turn away. Stand at the foot of the cross. Remember his words. Watch for the tearing of the veil. And like the centurion, let your trial become the moment you say:

“Truly, Jesus is the Son of God.”

#DarknessBeforeDawn, #Mark15, #SonOfGod

ASK THIS:

Why did darkness cover the land at midday?
What does the tearing of the temple curtain signify for you today?
When have you felt forsaken—and how did God meet you there?
How can your darkest trial deepen your worship?
DO THIS:

In your next dark moment, sit quietly and whisper, “My God, my God.” Ask Him to reveal Himself through the shadows.

PRAY THIS:
Jesus, in my darkest hour, help me cling to your presence. Remind me that you bore my forsaken cry so I can know your nearness forever. Amen.

PLAY THIS:
"Tear The Veil."