The Injustice of the Cross

Introduction

Our desire to get what we deserve

The Injustice He Did not Deserve

The one worthy of praise was mocked

By Gentiles

Mark 15:16–18 “16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!””

By his own people

Mark 15:29–30 “29 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, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!””

By his “servants”

Mark 15:31–32a “31 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! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.”

By criminals

Mark 15:32b “Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”

The one worthy of honor was beaten

Mark 15:17–19 “17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.”

The one who we are unworthy to look upon was stripped naked

Mark 15:20 “20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.”

The one by whom all things consist was relied on his creation

Mark 15:21 “21 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.”

The one who relieves suffering suffers without relief

Mark 15:22–23 “22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.”

The one who was innocent of all crimes was killed among criminals

Mark 15:27 “27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left.”

The one who saves would not save himself

Mark 15:31 “31 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!”

The sinless one is tempted by sinners

Mark 15:32 “32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”

The one who is truth was accused of lies

Mark 15:32 “32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”

The one who will never leave or forsake us was forsaken

Mark 15:34 “34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).”

The one who is the living water was given bitter vinegar to drink

Mark 15:36 “36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.”

The one who gives life was killed

Mark 15:37 “37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.”

The one who is supreme over all the earth was buried within it (42–47)

Mark 15:42–47 “42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 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. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.”

The Justice I Deserve

I foolishly declare myself to be king while Jesus truly was king

I foolishly claim I can save myself while Jesus willingly gave himself

I foolishly demand to be honored while Jesus made himself of no reputation

I lie while Jesus is the truth

I forsake the one who deserves my loyalty while Jesus will not allow any of his to be snatched from his hand

The Justice Jesus Satisfies

Romans 3:21–26 NIV

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.