MARK SERMON XII – TRAVESTY TO MAJESTY – MARK 14:54---16:8
Series Within A Series
PART FIVE: FROM NINE TO NOON – NAILED TO A TREE, TESTED, TAUNTED
MARK 15:22-32 . . .
All over the world, we see crosses atop architectural masterpieces such as cathedrals, Georgian Colonial sanctuaries and other gathering places of Christians along country roads, suburban lanes and inner-city walkways.
We see crosses prominently displayed within houses of worship, affixed to the lids of communion trays, engraved on communion tables and baptismal fonts, carved into woodwork, adorning priestly attire. We see crosses commercialized in many ways, such as dangling from necklaces hung around one’s neck, worn as a good luck charm, clutched in one’s hand for comfort during times of crisis.
Common to all such replications of the Cross of Christ is the depiction of the cross as ornate – the very opposite of the real cross on which our Lord suffered, bled and died.
The fact of the matter is that Jesus was nailed to the trunks of two trees of appropriate sizes that had been placed cross-wise then cross-tied with strips of stretchable material. There was: no architectural symmetry . . . no perfect shape . . . no gold or silver . . . none of the ornate features that we see today in replications of the cross.
That said, we must acknowledge that the cross – whether in the form of a crucifix clutched in one’s hand or dangling from the end of a golden chain around one’s neck – is in fact the symbol of Christianity the world over.
Yet, let us never forget the ugliness and the cruelty of the cross on which Jesus died.
Neither should we forget that the scene surrounding the crucifixion was not a pretty sight to behold. Have you ever witnessed someone writhing in pain? Helplessly, and even hopelessly, perhaps some of us watched as our loved ones could get no relief from misery; we had done all we knew to do, doctors could do nothing more than administer morphine. Death came slowly but as somewhat of a relief. No more unbearable pain!
Compassionate women offered Jesus a concoction of a pain relieving drug mixed with wine, but he refused it; in no way did he want to experience death with a clouded mind. No matter how horrible the last moments of life might have been for other victims of tragedy, Jesus understands and will go through death’s door with all who belong to him.
How much uglier could the scene surrounding the Cross have been than watching four Roman soldiers throwing dice to see who would get the victim’s clothes? In the shadow of the Cross, they gambled for clothing!
Pray to God that society as a whole will one day respect followers of Christ to the extent that one’s Christian views - with regard to moral issues, for example - will no longer be disrespected as is so often the case in today’s climate of religious ridicule.
How insulting it was to Jesus’ followers that their Lord was crucified between two thieves – treated as a common criminal! Even Roman officials had declared his innocence prior to the crucifixion, and later on, a Roman centurion, stationed at the foot of the Cross, declared, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
During the first three hours of our Lord’s six-hour ordeal, the mettle of Jesus the Son of Man was tested when someone offered him a drug to dull his senses; but his strength of character prevailed and therefore he refused to give in to psychological escape. Personally, I could not have done that, for I am weak; but He is strong! My constant prayer is expressed in the words of that old Gospel song “Just A Closer Walk With Thee: (original author unknown):
“I am weak but Thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk, dear Lord, close to Thee.
Thru this world of toils and snares, if I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares? Let me walk, dear Lord, close to Thee.
When my feeble life is o’er, time for me will be no more;
Guide me to that peaceful shore; let me walk, dear Lord, close to Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, this my plea,
Daily let it ever be just a closer walk with Thee.”
How indecent it was that, because of his human nature and therefore helpless to fight back, Jesus had been treated badly on his way to the Cross but, once nailed to a tree, how insulting it was that a victim of injustice was subjected to the taunting of those who hated him!
How telling it was of our Lord’s resolve that, because of his divine nature he could have gotten even with his enemies by calling forth angels to come to his rescue, He chose rather to suffer for a season, to withstand the testing of his mettle, to endure the taunts - in order to finish the redemptive task for which He had come into the world
Suddenly, after three hours of abusive behavior, the scene drastically changed as the power of God intervened, and the transition from travesty to majesty was set in motion!
Any time God intervenes, something good is going to happen! Stand by!
Amen.
