Center Stage (2)
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Date: February 19, 2023
Intro:
What’s the most important part of the story of Jesus? It might be easy to think it’s the passage that we’re covering tonight, and absolutely the death and resurrection of Jesus is essential. But without everything we’ve studied to this point, the death and resurrection of Jesus don’t have anything upon which to rest.
It really is like watching a movie. If all you did was jump into the climax of the conflict without the rest of it, you would have no idea why or what was happening.
Body:
Mark 14:1-2 = The Sanhedrin decides
Important time marker: “two days before the Passover”
Commemorating the final plague: The Death of the Firstborn
The Israelites were to take a lamb, a year-old, and kill it, smearing its blood on the door posts of their homes
The Angel of Death would see the blood and PASSOVER their home because the lamb had died as a substitute
Jerusalem would have been packed with people with some estimating up to 50K people in the city doubling the normal population
This meant they couldn’t take him on the TM where the crowds would be so large risking a riot
So they met to plot how to arrest Jesus “by stealth”
Mark 14:3-9 = The Anointing of Jesus
This is a Markan sandwich as it is placed between the plot to arrest Jesus and Judas’ agreeing to betray Jesus
This causes it to stand out in contrast to the actions of the Sanhedrin and Judas
The scene:
Jesus is dining with a man he presumably healed from leprosy when a woman (possibly Mary the sister of Lazarus c.f. John 12:3) enters and breaks open the lid of a jar containing this perfume that was probably imported from India making it very expensive, and she pours the liquid generously over the head of Jesus.
This could be pointing to his identity as the “anointed” one, the Messiah
This was also not uncommon to do for a guest of honor
What would you do with such a scene?
The objection isn’t necessarily to the act but to the cost
This perfume would have been equivalent in cost to a year’s wages
50K on perfume!
So they “scolded her”
Jesus’ interpretation
There will always be the poor and needy to help, but the time to express such devotion and love toward Jesus was quickly running out.
Unknowingly, this woman had anointed Jesus for what he was about to endure, the cross and death.
Mark 14:10-11 = Judas’ plot
Again, Mark uses this sandwich to contrast the devotion of some with the heinousness of Judas’ betrayal.
Mark 14:12-21 = The Last Supper
Thursday of the Passion Week
Appears as though Jesus had made arrangements to eat the Passover meal at this location
Sharing a meal with someone was a form of intimate friendship and fellowship.
To betray someone after sharing a meal with them would be utterly shameful and is still considered one of the greatest affronts a person could perpetrate in some Middle Eastern cultures.
The disciples are dismayed at the announcement that one of them would betray him
Though the betrayal was ordained “as it is written of him,” Jesus gives one last warning to Judas: “It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
Mark 14:22-26 = The Lord’s Supper
Body is the presence
Blood is the sacrifice
Blood was the means by which a covenant was effected
Exodus 24:8
Verse 25 balances the scene with Jesus looking forward to the resurrection and enjoying the meal once more in the Kingdom of God.
Mark 14:27-31 = Peter’s denials predicted
The courage of all of his followers would fail
But he again points to the hope of the resurrection
Peter’s pride rears itself again
Jesus tells him that he would deny him imminently, before the night was over
This must have been unfathomable for Peter
In all of these events leading up to the crucifixion, do you see how Jesus remains in control through it all? Do you see how he’s orchestrating the events and foretelling what would happen? Do you see how he’s not panicked or looking over his shoulder, or running away to Capernaum? Why? Because Jesus knew what lay before him, and he was moving towards it with purpose and intentionality.
P1: Realize that Jesus Went Willingly (Mark 14:1-31)
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
Illustrate: I remember riding the Tower of Terror for the first time with my two oldest. They were terrified. The anticipation was the worst part. They didn’t know what was going to happen, but they knew enough to be afraid. They were as nervous waiting in that line as I’ve ever seen them.
As Jesus awaited his crucifixion and the true terrors that stood before him, he continued on the path that the Father had laid before him, entrusting himself to his Father the entire way toward the cross.
Some will say that the cross was a divine form of child abuse, but that would imply that Jesus was somehow a victim of the Father’s plan.
It would suggest that Jesus did not go willingly to the cross but went kicking and screaming.
And as we read these chapters in Mark, that’s absolutely not the case.
As Mark portrays Jesus as the suffering servant of God, he shows us what it looks like to trust God as our paths get rocky.
He shows us what it looks like to trust God in the face of mounting opposition.
He shows us what it looks like to fear God more than we fear man.
Here’s what’s so cool about that...
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
Part of what drove Jesus on his way to the cross, knowing full-well what awaited him, was his knowledge that his suffering would mean our salvation!
Illustrate: Have you ever had someone volunteer to do something for you that you didn’t want to do? How do you feel about that? A lot of times you may argue with them: “No, it’s alright, you don’t have to. I’ll do it. Really, it’s ok, I appreciate it, but I’ll do it.” And it depends, but most times the person will argue back: “No, I’ve got it. You’re fine. I’ll take care of it.” It’s not that they’re looking forward to doing that thing that no one else wants to do, but they are willing to take the hit for you because they love you.
There’s been no greater example of that than the cross. The other gospels tell us more about this time, especially John 13-17, where John tells us about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and giving them that great commandment: “A new commandment I give you: that you love one another as I have loved you.”
Think of how much more impactful this time was in the eyes of the disciples than it was as it was unfolding in real time. When they were able to look back and understand that Jesus was willfully walking toward the cross for them because he loved them even unto death.
You should feel that same impact because though you weren’t there with him, he was walking toward that cross for you too.
END P1
Though he went with eyes wide open toward the cross, that did not mean that it was not going to involve immeasurable pain and agony along the way.
Mark 14:32-42 = Jesus’ in Gethsemane
So much is happening here, but I want you to see the true humanity of Jesus
Notice his emotions as he anticipates the cross
greatly distressed
troubled
very sorrowful
even to death
Notice the way he prays
Abba = the most intimate term for a father
Remove this cup from me = Jesus didn’t welcome the pain and suffering
Yet not what I will = the differentiating of his human will from the divine will
But what you will = the full trust in his Father
Notice how many times he prays
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Mark 14:43-52 = Jesus’ arrest
One commentator pointed out that this was a turning point because here Jesus was officially delivered over into human hands.
What was always out of reach for his opponents prior to this moment was now in their grasp.
From this point forward Jesus will be led and shackled and held and mocked and paraded and abused and tortured and crucified
But all of it would be according to the plan of the Father
Still, Jesus was not a passive victim, but an active participant in the unfolding plan of God that included such immense pain that we will never know because he bore it for us.
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
Mark 14:53-65 = Jesus’ Mock Trial
Jesus is first brought before the Sanhedrin
This is the preliminary hearing, and it is done in a rushed manner as the Sabbath was fast approaching and Jesus’ enemies wanted him silenced as quickly as possible.
They can’t find liars who agree with each other on any charge that would stick
People finally people bring up his statement that he would destroy the temple.
This was a false accusation as well though because Jesus didn’t say that at all but that the temple of his body would be destroyed and restored three days later.
John 2:19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Finally Caiaphas stood and asked him directly whether or not he was the Christ.
“I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
This unleashed the vitriol as the Sanhedrin began to spit on him and hit him and mock him before turning him over to the guards who continued the violence.
Mark 14:66-72 = Peter denies Jesus
As Jesus stood before his accusers courageously, Peter stood in the background cowardly
Contrast what Peter’s responses to the slave girl with Mark 14:60-62
Remember who is relating this to Mark
Another example of what true devotion to the Father looks like
Mark 15:1-15 = Jesus on Trial
Another Markan sandwich as Jesus has the two trials broken up by the denials of Peter
Jesus was held overnight in a cell at the home of Caiaphas
In the morning they sent him to Pilate for final sentencing
Pilate asked him a political question
Jesus answers in the affirmative but does not defend himself
Pilate struggles with what to do with Jesus and hopes the people will find logic and back off Jesus rather than asking for a convicted insurrectionist and murderer
The crowd was in such a fervor at this point that they in their blood-thirst shout out “Crucify him!”
15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Mark 15:16-20 = Jesus mocked
This is humiliation dripping with irony
Here is the true King, not only of the Jews, but of the entire universe, and these soldiers are mocking him and abusing him and degrading him
20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.
Mark 15:21-32 = Jesus crucified
The wine mixed with myrrh was meant to act as a narcotic to dull the pain that they were about to endure
Jesus refused knowing that it was the pain that was the point
Again, there is irony in the taunts of the crowds inviting him to save himself.
He was fully capable of doing that, and yet he was making a way for them to be saved
He could full-well have come down from the cross, but there would be no point to the belief (v. 32)
Mark 15:33-41 = Jesus dies
The darkness is recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke
Mark records only one statement of Jesus from the cross and it is the statement of his agony experiencing the full wrath of the Father poured out on the full weight of our sin
Mark 14:36 this was the moment he was experiencing the fullness of the cup
Once again Mark continues to show us the suffering servant of God as he dies in our place
37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.
Mark 15:42-47 = Jesus buried
One of the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea, stepped forward boldly to ask to have the body for burial
Again, the simple fact that Jesus willingly walked toward the cross does not negate the immeasurable pain endured by our Savior. But he endured it all, willingly, even to the point of denying the anesthetic concoction that would have lessened the physical torment of the cross. Why? Because it was the Father’s will? Yes, but also because of his great love for you.
P2: Understand Why Jesus Died Like He Did (Mark14:32-15:47)
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
19 We love because he first loved us.
Could Jesus have gotten down from the cross? Could he have called the legions of angels at his imminent disposal to obliterate all of his enemies? Why didn’t he do it?
Obedience to the Father’s will. Yes.
Submitting to the divinely orchestrated plan whereby this took place according to the definite foreknowledge of God. Yes.
But more than that too.
Love.
Jesus suffered like he did because he loves you.
He died for you.
He paid the price you could not pay not because you are a burden or a disappointment or a failure but because he loves you.
The cost for your redemption was clear: The full wrath of God must be satisfied.
Jesus knew that cost when he left the Father’s side to take on flesh as a baby.
Jesus knew that cost when he was calling his disciples to be his followers including the one who would betray him.
Jesus knew that cost when he was in the upper room eating that final meal.
Jesus knew that cost when he was in Garden praying for the cup to pass.
Jesus knew that cost when he was betrayed, arrested, and tried by men.
Jesus knew that cost when he took up his cross.
Jesus knew that cost as he endured it for those three hours.
And his motivation was love.
Yes, it was to satisfy the wrath of God.
Yes, it was so God might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Christ.
Yes, it was to fulfill the laws demands.
Yes, it was to conquer death.
Yes, it was to crush the head of the enemy.
But, why?
Love.
The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell.
Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made. Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade. To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.
END P2
Mark 16:1-8 = Jesus resurrected
To this point this gospel has been somewhat of a downer.
Jesus is calling us to follow his example as the suffering servant of God
At this point it looks like the opposition wins
That’s why the resurrection account, though short, is so significant to this gospel
Women are the first eye-witnesses
“He has risen.”
This testimony confirms a greater reality than a simple empty tomb which would only have begged the question, “What happened to the body?”.
Alternate explanations:
Someone stole the body
If a follower, they wouldn’t die and suffer for a life
If an enemy, why not merely produce the body
If a neutral party, why?
Swoon theory
Enduring the physical abuse that Jesus went through and then hanging on the cross for three hours and not having eaten any food since Friday evening, and somehow he was able to move the stone?
Wrong tomb
Go to the right tomb and produce the body
These women were there and “saw where he was laid” (15:47)
Hallucinations
On a mass level?
1 Corinthians 15 - over 500 at one time?
“Go tell his disciples and Peter”
God’s graciousness toward Peter
8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Notice the brackets after this verse that section off verses 9-20. There may be a note above those brackets in your Bible that says something like this: “Some of the Earliest Manuscripts Do Not Include 16:9-20.”
The best manuscripts we have don’t include this section
The style/vocabulary is markedly different
The content is not in keeping with the rest of Mark
It’s possible there was another ending to the Gospel of Mark that was lost at some point in history, or its possible that something interrupted Mark and he never finished.
But we know that we have what God wants us to have
Not that there would have been anything wrong or bad with what Mark wrote if indeed there was an original ending, but if God wanted us to have that ending, we would have it.
Who is the hero of Mark’s gospel?
Jesus.
And what is the most important truth that we could learn about Jesus?
“He has risen.”
So Mark’s gospel can be complete as we have it, in the form that we have it, because it has told us the most important element. He is risen.
P3: Realize that Jesus Rose for You (Mark 16:1-8)
Without the resurrection, the love-fueled death of Jesus does nothing for us.
Without the resurrection there is no Revelation 21
1 Corinthians 15:12-28
The resurrection is the greatest reality that we could ever know about Jesus, and it’s validity is evidenced in the explosive growth of the church in the midst of hostile persecution following the ascension of Jesus.
Jesus rose so you will too.
Death is not the end.
The suffering servant is now the exalted King, and listen to what Paul says of you and me.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Romans 8:18-30
This is all about us moving towards glorification in the resurrection!
Conclusion:
Jesus the suffering servant of God.
This has been a fast survey of Mark, but we’ve seen him burst on the scene teaching like no one else and healing and casting out demons!
We’ve seen him begin to separate himself as bringing a new kind of teaching, one that quickly began to rub the religious elite the wrong way
We’ve seen him outline what true discipleship would look like as he set the stage for what would follow
We’ve seen him prepare his disciples for the events that we’ve just read about
And now we’ve seen him willingly endure the cross and all of the suffering around it so that our sins could be forgiven and we could have hope in life beyond this place
This is who we profess to follow. This is the Christ of Christianity.
I imagine this may be why Peter spent so much of his letters preparing the church to suffer well.
The suffering of his Savior clearly left an indelible mark on him. One that would lead him to give his life for this Savior and this gospel.
Y’all there are a lot of Jesus’s out there in the world for you to follow, but only one that’s the biblical Jesus.
Knowing what you now know, if he were to pass by and invite you saying, “Follow Me,” would you follow him? Have you followed him? Will you follow him?
Application Questions:
Read Hebrews 12:2. According to this verse, what led Jesus to endure the cross and despise its shame? How does that make you feel when you think about it? Spend time together praying and thanking Jesus for this.
Read 1 John 3:16 and 4:19. What is your experience/understanding of God’s love for you? Is it emotional or academic? Spend time praying that you would come to know and experience more of God’s love for you.
Read Romans 8:18-30. What does the resurrection have to do with the trial you are enduring right now? Spend time praying that God would give you such confidence in the future that it will sustain you presently through whatever trials come your way.
Read Mark 10:45. In what ways have you seen the theme of the suffering servant of God come through in our study of Mark? Spend time praying together that God would prepare you and embolden you to follow this example we have in Jesus.