Opening Question
Is the cross an appropriate symbol for Christianity?
Introduction
Passion literature requires suffering, but not necessarily death. Jesus both suffers, and then dies in the Gospel account of Mark. The scenes are difficult to take in; perhaps for some, it can even be painful enough to read that they do not like to dwell on it. But face it we should, internalizing it draws us to the one suffering.
Mark 15:1-15
Pontius Pilate is known from Roman inscriptions, and some writings. He was not known as a reliable ruler, but when faced with the conundrum of Jewish riot vs. crucifying an innocent man, he fails his largest test. He is not ignorant, however, nor is he unwise to the Chief Priest’s schemes (see vs. 10). Just as the Jewish leaders feared the crowds, so also Pilate desires to satisfy others. He releases Barabbas, then has Jesus scourged, and then hands him over to the crucifixion detail.
In our western desire for lawful justice, how does the trial before Pilate strike you? Can we understand the politics involved? If you were in Pilate’s place, how would you respond?
Mark 15:16-20
Not only was Jesus truly the king of the Jews, but is now mocked as such in the purple robe (over his shredded, bleeding back), the crown (of thorns), and the fake obeisance and worship. He is beaten simply for sport now; the Romans have no reason to hurt him other than boredom and the spirit of Satan working through them all.
Mark 15:21-26
We have very few comments in Mark about the actual crucifixion, but victims were impaled to a wooden stake or stake with crossbeam, and left hanging painfully by nails or bound ropes. The chest begins to constrict, and suffocation makes exhaling impossible without relieving pressure on the chest. This requires standing up, and the body will do so in order to breath, forcing more pain on the feet and hands/arms. Crucifixion victims could take 3 or more days to die of suffocation from muscle exhaustion, every breath painful in every way. Jesus denies the “gift” of pain-killing myrrh/wine mixture; he felt it all.
People often say, “Jesus bore my penalty.” Do we deserve the kind of death Jesus suffered? Does anyone? In what way, then, does Jesus die my death?
Mark 15:27-41
Although Mark is written with those unfamiliar with Judaism, he cannot avoid pointing to the Old Testament as scripture foretelling the suffering of the Messiah. The words of Jesus from the cross, which Mark translates for his readers not knowing Aramaic, direct us to Psalm 22, as do references to those crying “save yourself,” and “he saved others, himself he cannot save.” But the vindication of Jesus’ identity is finally proclaimed both in the temple in the tearing of the veil, and in the mouth of the centurion who says (vs. 39), “surely this man was the son of God!” The non-Jewish audience is drawn in by the words of this soldier who witnessed Jesus’ demeanor, behavior, and death on the cross. Never had he seen a person not fight with every fiber of being against death, and those who sought his death.
What does the cross tell us about the depths to which sinful people will go against God (since, after all, Jesus is God!)? What does it show us about the character of God (since, again, Jesus is God)?
What does Mark want us to feel and experience as we read these closing scenes of Jesus’ life? Should your life be different for us because of what Jesus did here?
Closing Comments
Final hours of Jesus life are difficult to contemplate. And it should appall us. But we consider what Jesus endured in order to make this new covenant in His blood and broken body. The cross is not the symbol of life, but of Roman torture.
