Let me take a Poll – Do you believe you have a guardian angel. (hands)
If asked, just on the street, most people do.Still, it is difficult to believe we live in world where spiritual things are active. Many of us have had circumstances in our life where things should have gone seriously wrong….but they didn’t. We may attribute this to coincidence - The right place at the right time or maybe good fortune or maybe...the intervention of God.
We were in Fort Worth, driving home to San Antonio on interstate 35w.
Katie was driving our mini van. The was a car in front of us and the back of this thing lifts up, spins almost hitting another car in SLOW MOTION - no kidding. Cars are appearing to skid in every direction all around us - in SLOW MOTION. We are weaving in and out, missing this car, coming close to that car. Cars are all around us in every direction...The next thing we know is that it is all behind us. No cars hit us. We were ok. Wow.
Many of us here have had dramatic circumstances – and somehow we are ok, especially us who are poor drivers.
The spiritual world meets the physical world. We meet God (in an instant of time). We believe – Whew – we believe. And then, after awhile, things happen life goes on, and God doesn’t disappear from our life. But that moment of meeting the supernatural – is gone and we move on….
Sound familiar?
This morning as we continue through the Gospel of Mark, we are seeking to understand better, who Jesus Christ is…..as we look at the crucifixion and death of Jesus we will look at not just the events – but what is behind the events.
Starting in verse 21. Simon of Cyrene. A man who is just entering the city, boy is he at the wrong place at the wrong time. Roman soldiers could take anyone and ask for help, he couldn’t say no.
In the book of Romans 16:13 we see Paul greet a Rufus. This could be his son – only speculation though.
This is not: an example of what Mark chapter 8 speaks of – If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. This is a man who is forced to do the soldiers bidding, because Jesus is physically too weak. Some commentators speculate that Jesus should have died from his severe beating. Yet, somehow he keeps on.
Remember: Jesus is in control. Physically may not look like it, but spiritually, no contest.
They force these men, Jesus, Simon, two others to Golgotha. Apparently a hill that was white and looked like the top of a skull. Some bibles may translate it Calvary. Here they set up for the execution of these men. Jesus is offered Jesus wine with Myrrh. Remember this was given to Jesus at birth. It was onsidered a delicacy – finest wine mixed with spices. It does not have a numbing effect. It probably a continuation of mocking - King of the Jews.
Jesus refuses the cup (verse 23).Not to fulfill a vow. Not because he doesn’t drink. Not because it will dull his senses.Not because drinking on the day of atonement was forbidden. But He is to drink of the cup the father is giving him - not any other. So he refuses the mockery.
The cup given by the Father is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Mark is not big on details. Verses 24 –25 cover a lot of the crucifixion. The people of the day knew what crucifixion was, they didn’t need the details.
Jesus – Gave Himself. Mark concentrates on telling us about the mockery of Jesus. Why? Every taunt though physically true, is spiritually the opposite. Jesus gives himself, even though it appears he is being taken.
26 – king of the Jews
Jesus said his kingdom is not of this world - He is the king over all creation.
29 - destroy the temple and build it in three days,
Meaning: Temple sacrifice was made for atonement. He means to cover over sin. A person’s sin was covered, by sacrifice. Jesus – that is what is going on here. Atonement – covering of our sins so there will be no need for temple sacrifice.
“Temple Destroyed” – not physical, spiritual.
Rebuild in three days – he rises from the dead.
30 - come down from the cross and save yourself!”
31 – can’t save himself
32 – come down that we may believe
36 – let’s see if Elijah will take him down
Show me and I will believe. Then I will have faith.
Actually – later we know some of these people did believe.
Jesus – The Peace Child
Missionary Don Richardson went to New Guinea to create written language and then translate the bible. He got to the part of the betrayal of Judas and crucifixion - the vilagers, rejoiced. Betrayal was a great virtue in their society. As cannibals, they were at war much of the time and betrayal was an effective weapon. So they have been at war for a long time. To stop the war Chief gave his own child to be raised by the enemy chief. There would be peace as long as child lived. The Peace Child. This child took the place of each of the villagers.
Don explained Jesus was God’s peace child. The believed, it all suddenly made sense. These people, cannibals at that, believe, yet those who lived with Jesus could not.
Theologically, spiritual understanding behind what is going on, Jesus is separated from the father.
34 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
seen more as a statement. Jesus is the atonement for our sins
Darkening of the day we seen is tied in with the spiritual darkness of those that cannot see Jesus for who he is.
Oklahoma – Storm
It was so dark could not see the front of the car, and it was in the middle of the day. We litterally coul not see past the hood of the car.
Jesus dies – gives up his life.
37 with a loud cry
death manifests itself as a shout. Jesus is in control, He gives up life. His life is not taken from him.
The Veil Removed
38 – the curtain or veil - in the temple in front of most holy room
Jesus’ death shout and the veil tearing are single action. This counters all the mocking and is the first an omen – of what will happen to the temple, and more significantly no more need for sacrifice. Through Jesus the distance between us and God is gone.
Physical manifestations of spiritual happenings.
Jesus - Soma or Ptoma
Joseph of Arimathea asks for Jesus’ body. He asks for the body - soma.
Pilate gave him the body – Ptoma.
Soma – full personality.
Ptoma – carcass.
When we talk about the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Sunday. We see that the resurrection is body, soul, spirit, the full person, not simply spiritual.
I close with this: Where is everyone? We have funeral services in here with sometimes hundreds of people. No one shows up except Mary, Mary and Joseph of Arimathea. We are not even sure he believed
Sure some people are hiding, Some are not sure where Jesus is.
Most in the city of Jerusalem have moved on. They had a moment with God and it was great. Jesus was quite a guy. But now what? Jesus is gone. Well, I’ll get back to what I was doing...
But in three days everything will change.
We don’t have to have just moments with God. We can have the spirit of God fall upon us – and stay.
Book Recommendation: Peace Child, by Don Richardson
Available at Amazon
