Crucified for Us
Mark 15:21-32
1. This week, I came across a Jewish version of a joke I tell every year at camp.
2. Three Jewish sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting back together, they discussed the gifts hey were able to give their elderly mother.
The first said, "I built a big house for our mother."
The second said, "I sent her a Mercedes with a driver."
The third son smiled and said, "I've got you both beat.
You remember how momma enjoyed reading from the Torah?
And you know she can't see very well. So I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Torah. It took elders in the congregation 12 years to teach him. He's one of a kind. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot recites it.
Soon thereafter, Mom sent out her letters of thanks:
"David," she wrote one son, "The house you built is huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house."
"Saul," she wrote to another, "I am too old to travel. I stay most of the time at home, so I rarely use the Mercedes. And the driver is so rude!"
"Dearest Irwin," she wrote to her third son, "You have the good sense to know what your mother likes. The chicken was delicious." [haruth.com]
3. This mother would have appreciated simple gifts.
4. So we as believers often become cluttered in life; as we recount the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, it reminds us about what we really need: Jesus.
5. As we look at Mark’s brief account, remember the important distinction between truth and whole truth. Telling part of the truth is not lying, it is merely telling part of the truth. The TMI crowd is diligent to tell the whole truth, which can sometimes irritate the rest of us. The Gospel writers did not belong to the TMI club. So when they convey details, that suggests a special importance.
Main Idea: The fact that so long a portion of the Gospels is dedicated toward describing how Jesus suffered for us suggests we need to contemplate those events thoroughly.
I. BEFORE the Crucifixion (21-23)
A. Simon CARRIES the cross.
1. As Jesus carried the cross, His enemies would have thought justice was being served; Deut. 21:23 pronounces a curse on one hung on a tree
2. Is. 53 prophesied Jesus would be thought of as “smitten by God”
3. Alexander and Rufus obviously known to the church (Romans 16:13)
4. Jewish colonies in North Africa
B. Golgotha, the Place of the SKULL
1. According to Torah, blasphemers executed outside the camp (Lev.24:14)
2. Known in Latin as Calvary
3. Bald hill without vegetation
C. The offer of sour wine with MYRRH
1. Women of Jerusalem would donate this as a act of mercy
2. Myrrh is a tranquilizer/painkiller
3. Brings us back to the predictive nature of the Wise Men
II. Jesus CRUCIFIED (24-25)
A. Alongside TWO others
1. 9AM
2. The nature of crucifixion: nails in wrist, jarred, many died on way
3. Its purpose: intimidation
4. Jesus hung on cross probably prepared for Barabbas.
5. Even here we see the idea of substitution.
A particular church recently received personal greetings from the Kejave Medical Center staff in Kenya and read of the following amazing story.?
Eight-year-old Monica broke her leg as she fell into a pit. An older woman, Mama Njeri, happened along and climbed into the pit to help get Monica out. In the process, a dangerous black Mamba snake bit both Mama Njeri and Monica.
Monica was taken to Kejave Medical Center and admitted. Mama Njeri went home, but never awoke from her sleep.?
The next day a perceptive missionary nurse explained Mama Njeri's death to Monica, telling her that the snake had bitten both of them, but all of the snake's poison was expended on Mama Njeri; none was given to Monica. The nurse then explained that Jesus had taken the poison of Monica's sin so that she could have new life. It was an easy choice for Monica. She became a Christian. [The Tale Of The Tardy Oxcart?Charles R. Swindoll, Word, p. 541.]
B. Casting LOTS
• Four items: belt, tunic, sandals, and head covering
C. Notice the FULFILLMENTS of Psalm 22.
Psalm 22:1-18, passim
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
…But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
…Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.
For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”
III. Jesus, The KING (26)
A. The sign was probably Pilate’s way to TAUNT the Chief Priests.
• An unwitting recognition of Who Jesus really is
B. Consider the reality of this SARCASTIC recognition.
1. He had a crown of thorns.
2. He had a title over His head, recognized as the King.
3. He would pardon one of the criminals, a kingly privilege.
C. Jesus predicted He would be LIFTED UP and draw men to Himself.
John 12:32, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
IV. Jesus’ Enemies Take Their Final DIGS (27-32).
A. Passersby who mocked His TEMPLE prophecy(29-30)
B. Chief priests and SCRIBES gloated and mocked (31-32a)
1. Would they really have believed if He came down?
2. Some saw Him resurrect Lazarus.
3. Parable Rich Man and Lazarus — would not believe even if one came back.
C. Even the CRIMINALS at His side derided Him (27, 32b)
D. We must take a difference STANCE.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,?Let me hide myself in Thee.?Let the water and the blood?From Thy wounded side which flowed,?Be of sin the double cure,?Save from wrath and make me pure.?
