Mark 15:16-32

Jesus the True King of the Jews

We have reached the point in the gospel of Mark where everything is coming to a head.

But listen carefully loved ones,

this is the not only the apex of this story.

It is the apex of all stories.

It is the story of stories,

the true story of the world.

What you believe about these events defines you.

That is why the church is a church who has confessions.

God gave us minds and tongues for worship, and to tell the truth.

If this is the THE true story of the world,

if this is THE hinge-point of all history,

then we would do well to consider it.

We are reading about a crime.

But not just any crime.

We are reading about the trial and death sentence for the author of life.

We are reading the account of Prince of Peace being mercilessly mugged.

We are reading about lies leveled against the God of Truth.

The violence tally:

High Priests House:

Spit on,

Blindfolded

Beat by the chief priests, elders, and scribes in the high priests HOUSE.

Tied up and delivered to Pilate

Flogged

Sentenced to crucifixion

God’s child Israel that He raised with His own hand.

The one who Yahweh taught how to walk.

Hosea 11:1–4 HCSB

1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. 2 The more they called them, the more they departed from Me. They kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. 3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them in My arms, but they never knew that I healed them. 4 I led them with human cords, with ropes of love. To them I was like one who eases the yoke from their jaws; I bent down to give them food.

Ephrem the Syrian writing in the 4th century puts it this way:

New Testament II: Mark (Revised) Jerusalem’s Treatment of Jesus

[The daughter of Zion] repaid him with evil for the immensity of his grace. The Father had washed her from her blood, but she defiled his Son with her spitting. The Father had clothed her with fine linen and purple, but she clothed him with garments of mockery.11 He had placed a crown of glory on her head, but she plaited a crown of thorns for him. He had nourished her with choicest food13 and honey, but she gave him gall. He had given her pure wine, but she offered him vinegar in a sponge.15 The One who had introduced her into cities, she drove out into the desert. The One who had put shoes on her feet, she made hasten barefoot towards Golgotha. The One who had girded her loins with sapphire, she pierced in the side with a lance.17

This is not just the torture and murder of any man.

This is regicide, the murder of a king.

This is fratricide, the murder of a brother.

This is the epitome of biting the hand that feeds you.

Cyprian of Carthage:

New Testament II: Mark (Revised) The Paradox of His Being “Led Out

He who has given the food of heaven was fed with gall; he who has offered us the cup of salvation was given vinegar to drink.11 He the innocent, he the just, nay rather, innocence itself and justice itself is counted among criminals, and truth is concealed by false testimonies. He who is to judge is judged and the Word of God, silent, is led to the cross. The elements are disturbed, the earth trembles, night blots out the day,13 “the sun withdraws both its rays” and its eyes lest it be forced to gaze upon the crime of the people. Though the stars are confounded at the crucifixion of the Lord, he does not speak, nor is he moved, nor does he proclaim his majesty, even during the suffering itself. He endures all things even to the end with constant perseverance so that in Christ a full and perfect patience may find its realization.

Why did they make Simon of Cyrene carry the cross?

Because Jesus was badly beaten,

and they were rushing to crucify him.

As we are approaching the scene of crime and gathering evidence, we realize that something is happening in the midst of this crime.

We are not only reading about a crime, we are reading about an enthronement.

Jesus really did become King on the cross

This is how God became King

The solider’s mockery as a royal processional

Royalty

Purple

Robe

Crown

Praise and acclaim

Kneel

THE KING OF THE JEWS

Jesus crucifixion is His enthronement

Cyril of Jerusalem:

New Testament II: Mark (Revised) How the Mockery Echoed Prophecy

When they “clothed him in purple,” it was in mockery, yet ironically it was a fulfillment of prophecy, for he indeed was a king, so even their parody indirectly served divine revelation. Even though they did it in a spirit of derision, still they did it, and his regal dignity was by that symbolically heralded. So, likewise, though it was with thorns they crowned him, it was still a crown.

This is how God works.

Because God is good,

and because God is all powerful,

evil does not defeat God.

The story of Joseph was an echo of this.

Family turned against family.

Murder and betrayal.

Genesis 50:20–21 ESV

20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

This heinous event brought us life

When we consider the cross, we ought to see ourselves in the story.

Both as the one who should be dying,

and the one doing the killing.

Behold the man upon a cross, My sin upon His shoulders; Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished; His dying breath has brought me life – I know that it is finished.

We know that Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father after His ascension.

Hebrews 1:3 HCSB

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

and

1 Peter 3:21–22 HCSB

21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God’s right hand with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.

But before that, He said “All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me.”

When?

On the cross.

Because what is authority for?

When God makes all things and gives authority what is it for?

For giving life.

For laying down ones own interests for the interests of another.

For sacrifice,

For love.

And so

this laying down of the life of God.

This ultimate sacrifice,

this giving up of self for the sake of another,

IS authoritative.

And this makes Jesus our better Adam.

Our forefather Adam took the authority granted to Him and hoarded more.

Jesus, by His authority gave up His very life for His bride the church.

Our God became King on the cross.

And that is why we glory in the cross!

We put the cross everywhere!

We place it on buildings,

we wear it around our neck,

we tattoo it on our bodies,

we paint it on our doorways,

we hang it in our homes and our churches.

a torture device!

The only means of life we know.

This is our message at this church.

Christ crucified.

1 Corinthians 1:17–31 HCSB

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to evangelize—not with clever words, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved. 19 For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the experts. 20 Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached. 22 For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. 24 Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. 26 Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. 27 Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world —what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, 29 so that no one can boast in His presence. 30 But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.