By Robert E. Jackson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Saves
Mark 15:27–39
Crucified (27–28)
Leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion was a mock trial. Law after law was broken by the religious leaders. For example, their law stated that Jesus must have witnesses to speak in His defense; however, no one was allowed to defend Him.
Their law stated the prosecution’s witnesses must be airtight, but their testimonies were contradictory. According to their law, Jesus should have been released. If Jesus were guilty of blasphemy, which He wasn’t, their law dictated He should be stoned to death.
Why did the religious leaders seek death by the cross? The Scriptures taught that anyone who hung on a tree was under God’s curse.
In other words not only did they desire Jesus to suffer, but they also reasoned that the cross would discredit Jesus. According to the religious leaders, God would not let the Messiah be cursed.
Desiring His death on the cross they further broke their law by delivering a Jew over to the Gentiles to be killed.
Yes they wanted our Lord to suffer in every way imaginable, so our Lord was crucified, the Righteous One surrounded by two unrighteous criminals.
Mocked (29–32)
Placing Him on the cross wasn’t enough. In their sinfulness they taunted Jesus to come off the cross. He could have jumped down, proven His identity and then put Himself back on the cross. In so doing the priests and religious leaders would have been shamed.
But Jesus didn’t come down. He waited on God’s vindication. The Lord suffered and humbled Himself even enduring the mockery of people He created. What a tremendous lesson. The next time we are mocked or falsely accused, let us look to Jesus’ example and allow God to vindicate us.
Forsaken (33–36)
Darkness. The One who is the Light of the World is now engulfed in darkness. This darkness is connected with sin. Jesus became sin and bore our curse on the cross so we might live. Jesus died as our substitute. Amazing!
It wasn’t just the religious leaders who were law breakers; we all have gone astray but our Savior died for us.
Fully God and fully man, Jesus felt forsaken by the Father and cried out to Him. Misunderstanding Jesus someone rushed to prolong His life to see if Elijah would come and rescue Him. They didn’t realize Jesus was willingly dying so that everyone who believes in Him might be forgiven of sins and set free.
Jesus was forsaken for you and for me.
Victorious (37–39)
Jesus died with a cry of victory. The sanctuary curtain was torn from the top to the bottom as a sign that all people who believe now have access to God through the victorious Christ. Even the centurion who witnessed this execution remarked, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
As Charles Spurgeon so beautifully states, “Keep a smile on your face! Live near your Master … for soon, when your time has come, you will rise up to where Jesus sits and reigns at His right hand; and all because the Lord Jesus was made, ‘to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.’”
Jesus’ curse has become your glory. The cross and Christ’s death is not the end. The tomb is empty! He is alive at the right hand of the Father and He is coming again in glory. Everyone who believes this truth is saved.
Praise be to God. Our Lord is alive!
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