The Arrest, Trial And Death Of Jesus, Part 3 Series

The Arrest, Trial and Death of Jesus, Part 3

Mark 15:21-47

- Reminder, final msg in Mark, Wed Oct 22, will be “open forum” style

- Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant”

-- Today we continue the final week of Jesus’ life and ministry

- On Sunday we saw the final day of Jesus’ life playing out

-- It is important that we keep ONE specific verse in mind here (prophecy)

-- Isaiah 53:10, “Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.”

- He has been betrayed a disciple … someone He trusted

- He has been abandoned by His friends … those He spoke life into

- He has been beaten beyond anything anyone should deserve … for you and I

- Yet, there is still more to come, and that is what we will examine tonight

- Read Mark 15:21-32

∆ Point 1 – Crucify Him! (21-32)

- While Jesus is carrying the cross, it is obvious this task is very difficult

-- From the beating to the ridicule, His strength is certainly diminished

-- Therefore, this man named Simon is forced to carry it with him (v21)

- The location of Golgotha has often been disputed (to where it was)

-- But, the other Gospels tell us that it is outside the walls of the temple

-- Therefore, considering the temple court wall is 450 yards … it’s a hike

-- At best guess, we could figure on 500 yards minimum, if not more

-- Exhausted, and without the energy, Jesus’ strength surely would fail Him

- He is crucified with two other criminals who deserve their punishment

-- They are most likely murderers, or thieves, and are being executed

-- But here we see something almost sad (v29) – the ridicule continues

--- “So, you say you are something special … do something about this!”

--- “Jesus, you are able to do things for others but you cannot save yourself?”

- I think the fair question in their minds is one that even we would dare not ask

-- Mocking, they ask: “If you are God, how come you cannot stop this?”

-- IMO, it may be where we get such angst against God today for not acting

-- Or at least, for not acting in ways that we think He should

- Consider: When we pray, we ask God to move how we’d like, don’t we?

-- How often do we pray for Him to move according to His desires?

-- How often do we submit totally to what He would have has us say/do?

-- IMP: This is exactly what Jesus does on the cross – He submits to God

- Even the criminals insulted Him (v32), asking out of their own selfishness

-- We know from Luke one criminal asked for forgiveness and he received it

-- Luke 23:39-43, “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

- Read Mark 15:33-41

- TRANS: Before we take this apart, it’s important to realize what’s happening

-- Read, “A DOCTOR’S VIEW OF THE CRUCIFIXION”, By Dan Bowden, M.D.

∆ Point 2 – My God, My God (33-41)

- All three Gospels report this darkness happening for three hours (v33)

-- More than likely, this darkness would’ve been a solar eclipse

-- APP: Even the heavens mourned the death of the Son of God

There are several statements that Jesus makes on the cross for us to note

-- “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (v34)

-- Psalm 22:1, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?”

-- The full weight of sin had been placed on Christ for our sake, as punishment

-- His cry rang clear and true to those watching, God had truly “forsaken” Him

-- Deut 21:23 (KJV), “His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God)”

- This is the promise of what Paul later writes about for us to rejoice