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Sermon Notes April 17, 2011
Mark 15: 22-39
Intro: “The Passion of the Christ” was released Seven Years ago…
I watch the Mel Gibson Movie, “The Passion of the Christ” Two times.
— Second viewing I noticed a woman make her way out of the theater
just after Pilate condemned Jesus to be crucified
- Aha, I thought, she does not want to witness the terrible suffering/violence.
- Five minutes she returned with large coke and Popcorn
She casually snacked & slurped throughout the crucifixion scene!
t/s – This casual, calloused, comfort with the Cross stands in contrast with our text, Marks account… Two word phrase, “They Crucify Him,”
- A Reverential Reticence to look directly at Jesus on the Cross
Beneath – dividing up his garments
Above – Sign, The King of the Jews
Beside – Two thieves insulting him
Around – The place called skull Hill and ugly crowd
But Mark quickly pulls our eyes away from the sight of Jesus on Cross.
- Take off Your Shoes… Holy Ground!
Mark 15: 22-39
“And” == dominates nearly ever verse… 15 of 18 in KJV!
The monotonous repetition of “and,” “and,” “and,” gives the effect
of an endless succession of the waves of sorrow, pain, and contumely (ridicule) which broke over that sacred head.”
— Alexander Maclaren (d. 1910 – great Scottish preacher)
READ
As the Story of the Crucifixion of Jesus unfolds, several tensions surface (questions)
- Will Jesus Come Down from the Cross?
— vs. 30, 32, 36
— He did Not! Enemies Saw Evidence of His weakness,
We Know It as an amazing display of Strength!
- Will They See? (understand who Jesus really is)
— vs. 39 – Finally, the centurion Sees!….The Son of God!
- Will He ever Speak?
— Two words to Pilate early Friday morning…No more all day!
— Largely Silent for six Hours
Seven statements are recorded from the Cross. Mark only chooses one. Essential!
Vs. 34 – My God, My God, Why have you Forsaken me?
– Troubling thing for Jesus to Say. What does He mean?
A Quote from a Psalm (22)
Exp – Jesus quotes the first sentence from Psalm 22 … Familiar Messianic Song.
- Jewish teachers made reference to an entire Psalm by quoting first verse.
- A song of complaints & suffering; also, a song of faith & Hope!
All the ends of the earth will remember…All the families will Worship!
Note: The fact that Jesus cried to God, “My God,” shows not entirely without hope!
A Mysterious blend of Access to God and Abandonment by God.
Psalm 22 == I am utterly forsaken now; but, God will exalt Me!
Next week, Praise God, The Exaltation!
Today, Forsaken?!
A Cry from His Soul!
Exp – On the Cross, Jesus was utterly forsaken, abandoned, desolate…
— Pain real; blood wet & warm, shame overwhelming, loneliness absolute
Point = the Weight of His Suffering forced the cry from His lips!
ILL – Crosses are popular jewelry, home decor….cultural … “Nice”
Crucifixion did not become common in art until all who had seen a
Real one died off! C.S. Lewis
Danger == Oh, now I know what it was like! (We cannot Imagine!)
t/s – This Cry from the Soul of Jesus speaks to more than the weight of the physical suffering of Jesus; it speaks to the essential
Work of Jesus on the Cross.
A Rare, glimpse into the great mystery….
What Happened on the Cross? (what did Jesus DO when He died there?)
Exp – Hear the Word of the Lord (I am not fit to answer) — the Deep End!
But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for
Our iniquities; The chastening for our well being fell upon Him, and by
His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each one of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the
Iniquity of us all to fall on Him. (Isaiah 53:5-6)
He made Him Who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might
Become the righteousness of God in Him.
And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross.,, (1 Peter)
Jesus died on the Cross as a substitute for you & me. He paid the debt, once for all! He took our sins upon Himself!
Now hear His cry — My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Jesus became sin. For the first time He was cut-off from perfect fellowship with the Father! Father, somehow, turned His back on His sin-laden Son.
- Result – Veil in Temple Torn in Two from top to Bottom!
He open the Access to the Holy Presence!
ILL – Common Question, “How could a Loving God send someone to Hell?”
n Recent and Regional Question….Unusual, self-centered society.
More Substantial Question —
How can a Holy God Embrace a Sinner like me in Heaven?
App – Jesus Paid It All!
The Cry of the Cross reveals the ultimate Penalty/Wage of Sin – DEATH
— Separation from God….abandoned, God-forsaken, forever!
t/s – Most people underestimate the cost of Sin!
ILL – I had a paper route when I was 10-12 years old
Throwing papers one spring during baseball season…broken glass Door!
— Quickly promised to pay for the damage
— Wealthy entrepreneur ($25 month)! — Savings Account
— a Few Days Later…. Elderly Lady standing on her porch in front of her
New glass door….handed me the bill
** The Cost was twice what I had! No Way to Pay!
I had over estimated my ability to Pay… Underestimated the Cost
I Can Deal with my own Sin … One day you will — utterly cut-off, forsaken…..
Full of fear, dread, regret….. “Wailing and gnashing of Teeth”…
- My God….why have You forsaken Me (words will catch in your throat)
- My God…..Why have I forsaken You
