Mark 15: 1-15

Jesus suffered in our place as the sacrifice for sinners.

LET US PRAY.

As we gather here to hear God’s Word, let’s pray silently. Pray for yourself, that God would touch your heart and teach you what He wants you to learn today.

Pray for those around you, that they would hear the Word of God and accept it.

Please pray for me, that I will be faithful to God’s Word today.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be always acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer. Amen.

[ILLUSTRATION]

Richard Francis Xavier Manning’s best friend growing up was Ray Brennan. The two of them did everything together, even joining the army together. One night, while they were reminiscing about their home in Brooklyn, a live grenade was thrown into their foxhole. Ray looked at Richard, smiled, and threw himself on the grenade, which exploded, killing Ray instantly. Richard Manning’s life was spared. In 1963, Richard Manning received his ordination as a Franciscan priest. Following the order’s mandate to take a saint’s name, he took the name Brennan. He thought of Ray and took his name for his own, a sign of love for the man who sacrificed his life.

He was now known as Brennan Manning nor Richard Manning.

This story is a bridge to our own story as believers. In the passion of Jesus we see the suffering of our LORD on our behalf, and we who are believers take on the name “Christian” as a sign of our love for Jesus the man who sacrificed His life for us.

When you consider the passion of the Christ, the suffering and death of Jesus, what do you see? What do you think? Do you see Him as the actual sinless Son of God? The Son of God who suffered in our place, took the beating we deserved, and died the death we should have died?

Mark 15:1–5 (ESV)

And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

The Last Supper was Thursday night, the arrest and trial took place from midnight to dawn, and now it is early Friday morning. Our LORD has been betrayed, abandoned, interrogated, beaten, spit on, and humiliated beyond comprehension. The Sanhedrin needs to move quickly to get the this “Jesus” before the Governor Pilate. Their intention was to get Him executed before the Sabbath begins on Friday evening at sundown. They bind Him and bring Him to Pilate. Having found Jesus guilty, they had to arrive before dawn. Pontius Pilate heard cases from about 6:00 am to 9 am. The main accusations to bring before Pilate were the charges of “blasphemy” and “sedition,” treason against Rome. Pilate could care less of blasphemy that is not Roman concerns. But treason against Rome is.

Mark’s account of the trial is the briefest of all the Gospel accounts. Apparently Pilate had already heard the charge against Jesus. This is seen in the first question he asked Jesus.

Only one accusation concerns Pilate right now, so he asks Jesus. “Are you the King of the Jews?” Why is he asking this question? If Jesus saw himself as “king of the Jews”, that would threaten Pilate power and Rome’s authority over Judea.

Jesus responds in a cryptic fashion. “You have said so”. This is neither an affirmation nor a denial. May be this response could mean ”Yes I am the King, but not the kind of king you are thinking of.”

At this point the chief priests are losing their minds and are hopping around upset, mad and accuse Jesus of everything under the sun. Pilate once again turns to Jesus, Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you” To his amazement Jesus says nothing. No defense. Not a word. Traditionally, Roman law centered on the presentation of charges, followed by the accused responding, and followed by a decision. But not today.

Why was Jesus silent before Pilate?

Some scholars suggest that Jesus remained silent to fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7, which predicted that the Messiah would be silent before his accusers. The verse states: "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth."

Mark 15:6–15 (ESV)

Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Now at the feast of Passover, Pilate was in the habit of releasing a prisoner, a condemned man, to gain support and goodwill of the people. During this event the people made the call on who to release.

We are now introduced to a character named Barabbas. According to Luke 23:19 there had been an uprising in the city led by an insurrectionist named Barabbas . He and his followers had been thrown in prison for insurrection and murder. The crowd was to make a choice between two men: the one who sought solutions by force or the one who ruled by love and was ready to sacrifice himself.

Pilate saw this as an opportunity to grant a Passover amnesty to Jesus and set him free. What Pilate was unaware of was that Barabbas would have been considered a Robin Hood like figure to many Jews not a notorious rebel. He may have been considered a national hero to the common people , but in Rome’s viewpoint he was a revolutionary that should be put to death.

The crowd appears here and verse 8 describes how the people began to petition Pilate for his annual Passover amnesty gift. Pilate sees an opportunity as a way out of a tough situation. In John 18:38 “Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.” Pilate had told the Jewish leaders that he found no grounds for charging Jesus. Add to the fact that Pilate’s wife had a dream that Jesus was a righteous man and that Pilate needed to stay clear of this situation. Matthew 27:19 “Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”” And finally, Pilate recognized that the chief priests had only arrested Jesus out of envy.

In verse 9 Pilate asks the crowd “do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” Notice that at this point Barabbas is still in prison and only Jesus is present at the trial. We can feel Pilate’s contempt towards Jesus by Pilate’s use of the words, “King of the Jews.”

Pilate recognizes that the chief priests are using him as a pawn and they are acting out of jealousy and envy. They are using Pilate to to get rid of a troublemaker who has usurped their importance, their high status with the people.

As we all know man’s plans do not go as intended and here is another example of God’s plans proceeding as God wants it to. Pilate misjudges two things about the crowd. The first is that it seems obvious to him that Barabbas deserves death, and that the offer of Jesus as the amnesty lamb will be received well. The second is that he fails to to realize the control the chief priests have over the crowd. They incite the people to demand Barabbas’ freedom and then call for Jesus’ crucifixion.

Here are the same people that on a Sunday were shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! Mark 11:9 “And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Crucify Him!” they shout. The crowd is stirred up . It is easy to suspect the the religious leaders have turned the minds of the crowd. They are seeking mercy for the guilty Barabbas and crucifixion for the one who has committed no crime, no evil. Crucify Him! they shout again. The fever is upon the crowd and they want this done. Pilate asks what has Jesus done to justify this. But the crowd does not hear or care to hear him. Crucify Him! they shout even louder.

I can imagine the confusion in Pilate’s mind and how is plan had backfired. Pilate had had enough of this. Matthew 27:24–25 “So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!””

Why did Pilate surrender to the demands of the crowd?

Probably because one of the directives from Rome was that the governor must keep peace and avoid riots at all costs. Here the public peace was threatened so Pilate surrenders to the crowd. Barabbas is released and Jesus is sentenced to be crucified. Barabbas was guilty but was treated as though he were innocent, Jesus died in his place. Prior to crucifixion Jesus was scourged.

The art of scourging by the Romans needs to be briefly mentioned. Scourging was part of the crucifixion process. Its intent was to weaken the prisoner and hasten death. The scourge was a whip with several leather strips with pieces of metal or bone tied to the ends. It tore the victim's back to shreds.

Some called this form of torture “the halfway death.” It carried a significant risk of death, either by shock during the beating or from infection during recovery. When Jesus could bear no more without risk of death the Roman doing the lashing backed off and then prepared Jesus for crucifixion.

{MESSAGE]

Hopelessness searches the heavens for help, and loneliness pleads for a sympathetic ear.

Do you sometimes find yourselves in a similar situation? What is the answer?

You and I may not see the kind of justice we want or see it done according to our desires.

But have we thought that God will use this circumstance to our advantage? Can it be that this is a way for God to make us more spiritually mature to receive His good gifts?

When you suffer unjustly, you share an experience with Jesus. You walk in His sandals. You have a deeper understanding of what He endured to free you from the injustice of this world.

So, what do we do when justice lies beyond our reach? What are the steps we should keep in mind?

Let go of any expectation of justice. Jesus accepted that He would not receive justice under the justice system of His times. He did not seek affirmation from people. He submitted to the will of the Father, and He entrusted Himself to the One who will judge every soul.

Stop trying to be heard. Let God decide, when, where, and how He will set the record straight. Avoid pushing your agenda. Wait upon God and submit to His sovereign will and Press on!.

Seek comfort in Christ. Take comfort in knowing that you worship a God who understands your pain and shares your suffering.

Jesus Christ did not die for us in response to any appeal on our part. Instead of sinners pleading with Him to bear their sins on the cross, they were busy rejecting Him.

The only explanation for this action was Jesus’ love. He died for us because He wanted to save us from hell. Without realizing it, the religious leaders, Pilate and Barabbas were all part of a tapestry of grace which God was weaving for sinners. Jesus was not dying for His own crimes, but for the crimes of others. Not for His own sins but the sins of others. He did not die for Himself, He died for us!

Here is a personal challenge for all of us.

Jesus was not only willing to sacrifice for us, but He was willing to be the sacrifice for us. He gave His life for us.

Are you willing to give up your life to Him?

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Remember the words of the LORD Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.