God promised that Eve’s descendant would crush the serpent’s head, but not without a cost. The serpent would crush his heel in the process. Many Old Testament sacrifices picture this cost. They show that God would not just erase sin; he would atone for it. Isaiah prophesies that a servant would come as the ultimate sacrifice—to live the faithful life we failed to live and die the death we deserve to die.

In the story of Jesus’ final hours, Mark emphasizes two aspects of these events: their historical reality and their theological significance. As a historian, Mark draws attention to what actually happens, noting details and citing eyewitnesses throughout. Yet he also writes with literary subtlety, leading us to see theological significance in these events. Jesus gives his life as the ultimate Passover sacrifice for sin. Jesus cries out, “Why have you forsaken me?” as he experiences our ultimate exile. He takes the condemnation only we deserve so that we can receive the blessing only he deserves.