Study inMark’s Gospel

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The Death Of Jesus

Chap 15v16-47Presentation 51

Presentation 51

IntroductionKeep in mind all that has transpired leading up to this point. It has been significant in shaping the grand drama of our redemption. Jesus was taken to the place of execution no doubt bleeding profusely. He could not walk the entire distance carrying the heavy cross-bar. Clearly, the flogging had the desired effect, we read in v21 “a certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.” That Mark mentions both this man’s name and his sons, suggests they were well-known by the early church. Eyewitnesses, whose testimony is preserved in the N.T.

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IntroductionCrucifixion is among the cruellest forms of capital punishment devised by man. The Romans used it to humiliate their enemies. It was so cruel that Roman citizens were exempt this form of execution. The English word “excruciating” comes from this form of capital punishment.

Crucifixions were performed at a place called Golgotha (“a skull”), a bare rocky outcrop near the intersection of two roads which entered Jerusalem. This public site humiliated the crucified - who was a public spectacle to all entering and leaving the city. Such crucifixions would make Jewish zealots think twice about challenging to Roman rule.

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The CrucifixionMore importantly, death by crucifixion fulfilled an important O. T. text “you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse” Deut. 21v23. Jesus became, “accursed of God” Gal. 3v13. Even the manner of his death is foretold the O.T. His death was not a triumph for Rome, or for the Sanhedrin for it was ordained by God. Upon arrival at the place of execution, “they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it”v23. The wine mixed with myrrh had a strong narcotic effect, dulling the sufferer’s pain. Jesus refused their offer, preferring instead to be conscious throughout his suffering.

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“And they crucified him”v24. The condemned were stripped and tied to the cross with ropes, before large nails were hammered through the lower wrist. Once the arms were fixed, the cross-bar was lifted up and attached to the support beam, already firmly embedded in the ground. The victim’s feet were nailed to this beam. Now, the struggle to survive began. The cause of death was suffocation as the victim was forced to fight to continue to breathe. When they finally tired out they died. Should they still be alive after an allotted time, their lower legs were broken. Death came quickly after that, for they could no longer hold themselves up and manage to breathe.

The Crucifixion

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To add insult to injury, the crucifixion team was given the crucified’s possessions. Such personal possessions as a tunic, belt, sandals, and head covering could be washed and then re-used. The soldiers “divided up his clothes, [and] they cast lots to see what each would get.” Without realising it by gambling for Jesus’ clothes, they fulfilled a messianic prophecy, found in Psalm 22v18 “They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” Jesus is all alone. He has nothing left. He is finally nearing the depths and the end of his humiliation.

The Crucifixion

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This took place at “the third hour.” Mark divides his account of Jesus’ crucifixion into three hour time blocks - Jesus was found guilty at first light [6:00 am] crucified three hours later mid-morning [9:00 am], at high noon the sky turned black, Jesus died approximately three hours later, and was buried before dark [6:00 pm].

Crucifixion was a very public form of execution, and the Romans and the prisoner wore a sign- around their neck intimating their crime. That sign was then nailed to the cross for everyone to read. In Jesus case, “the written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.”v26

The Crucifixion

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Jesus was crucified between two convicted criminals, and although not recounted by Mark, one of them exercised faith in Jesus claims and is promised a place in paradise. Mark simply says, “they crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left.” Mark continues, “those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying,’ So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!’” The whole scene recalls the words of Psalm 22v7, “All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.” In suffering this painful derision, Jesus was fulfilling prophecy - a continual pattern in this portion of Mark’s Gospel.

The Crowd’s Mockery

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Jesus was also mocked by the religious establishment, “in the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. `He saved others,’ they said, `but he can’t save himself!” Some may have witnessed Jesus save/heal others and now want him to save himself. The mocking becomes deeply personal, “Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” They throw his messianic claims in his face, mirroring Satan’s wilderness temptation regarding his identity they say, “come down now” from the cross and we will “worship you.” Satan’s puppets are trying to short-circuit God’s plan of redemption. What a sad moment in redemptive history, the religious leaders of Israel orchestrate the death of their Messiah and mock him as he dies.

The Crowd’s Mockery

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Jesus had been hanging upon the cross for about three hours when at noon “darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.” Think of the effect on the city, responsible for putting Jesus to death. Did a terrified people think of Amos’ prophecy? `In that day,’ declares the Sovereign LORD, `I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. I will turn your religious feasts into mourning and all your singing into weeping. I will make all of you wear sackcloth and shave your heads. I will make that time like mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day” 8v9 ff. Jesus’ suffering shook the entire cosmos. The Father could not bear to watch his Son become sin for us.

The Darkness

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The nadir of Jesus humiliation and suffering finds expression in v34-35. The cup of suffering which filled Jesus’ consciousness in Gethsemane now becomes a reality, “Jesus cried out in a loud voice, `Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’-which means, `My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Prophetic words quoted in Psalm 22v1 where the Hebrew form takes a staccato effect suggesting the speaker is struggling for breath. Jesus experienced God-forsakenness and became accursed [Gal 3v13]. He became sin [2 Cor. 5v21]. He bore our guilt and drank the cup of wrath, so that we might be forgiven. The ransom price was paid [Mark 10v45].

The Darkness

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Jesus words, “Eloi, Eloi” spoken in Aramaic resulted in some in the crowd misunderstanding him. “When some of those standing near heard this, they said, `Listen, he's calling Elijah.’” Since Elijah was taken up to heaven without dying, Jews widely thought he was some kind of helper in time of need.

Trying to relieve Jesus’ suffering, “one man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.” But others wanted to see if Jesus’ supposed cry to Elijah would bring about his rescue. “Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down.”

The Darkness

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Finally, we read in v37, that “with a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.” Luke fills out the substance of the cry, “Father into your hands I commit my Spirit.” John adds, “It is finished”. Jesus’ humiliation was over, but Israel’s tragedy was just beginning.

At the very moment Jesus died, “The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” The curtain, which prevented access to the Holy of Holies by sinful men save for the High Priest, who entered once a year on the Day of Atonement, was torn. Why? The final, once for all sacrifice for sin had been made. Everything to which the entire O.T. sacrificial system pointed was now fulfilled.

The Aftermath Of His Death

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The earthly temple, which was a visible representation of the heavenly temple, was immediately rendered obsolete. It had served its purpose, but with the death of Jesus’, its time was over.

The death of Jesus must have set off shock-waves throughout all of Jerusalem. The reactions were many and diverse. The centurion who supervised the crucifixion party, immediately made a memorable statement of faith. “when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, `Surely this man was the Son of God!’”

The Aftermath Of His Death

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Some women bravely stayed with Jesus until the end. “Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.” These women had been with Jesus from the beginning. Unlike the disciples, they did not run away.

Jesus’ death set off another flurry of events -he needed to be buried in accordance with Jewish law. “So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.”

The Aftermath Of His Death

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The death of Jesus was already bearing eternal fruit. One criminal had already believed and was in paradise. A centurion had confessed that Jesus was the Son of God and now Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, shows himself to be a believer. Pilate, agreed to Joseph’s request. Jesus’ body was prepared for internment and was buried before sundown.

The Sanhedrin thought it was finally rid of Jesus. And while the entire city had been rocked by a great earthquake [Matt.27v51) and the skies indicated that Jesus’ death had cosmic significance, people thought the Jesus story was over. But it was only just beginning. They had crucified Jesus but death and the grave were no match for the mighty power of God.

The Aftermath Of His Death

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This is the critical moment to which this entire gospel has been pointing. Jesus’ death was the fulfilment of O.T. prophecy, the only means whereby a holy God can forgive sin. The cross was no accident, nor was it a tragedy. Indeed, John in his gospel points to the cross as the supreme revelation of the glory of God - more so even than the transfiguration which he chooses to omit. Mark’s account of Jesus’ suffering and dying points to the purpose of Jesus’ death - to save all who trust in him and repent of their sins. In this regard, Jesus’ obedience and suffering unto death fulfil God’s righteous demands and to provide a once for all payment for our sins.

Conclusion

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ConclusionHave you placed your trust in Jesus to save you from your sins. His death demands that same response given by the criminal, the centurion, Joseph and the women followers – a recognition that Jesus is the Son of God who alone can save us from our sins. To reject him is to side with the Jerusalem crowd who thought he got what he deserved. To reject Jesus is to take the side of the Sanhedrin. It is to join the mocking crowd who stood at the foot of the cross. To reject Jesus is to set up an encounter with a Holy God on the day of judgment.

But those who trust in Jesus and his accomplishment upon the cross have a certain knowledge that their sins are forgiven! Hallelujah what a Saviour!.