Mark 15:16-41 | The Crucified KING

Hello - Baby Dedication

Introduce the parents and child and welcome to come up the front.

explain the importance of Child Dedications. We do not believe in infant baptism but do believe in parents making a vow before God and the Church to raise their children in the ways of the Lord.

ask the parents about their child

The parents will then read the parenting commitment vow: “Today Heavenly Father we as your children, publicly declare that we will raise your son, Timoteo, to know and walk in your ways. We promise to share the gospel with him often, love him with Christ’s love and lead him on the path of righteousness. We promise to pray for him, discipline him and model a life of discipleship. We understand that we cannot, and won’t be the perfect parents. Although we seek to love you and love our child as you have loved us. We promise to ask for help when needed, lay down our lives and teach Timoteo about the wonderful God who has saved and redeemed us through Jesus. All for your glory Father.

5. Pastor to then Pray for the Child/children & parents (include wider family)

Alright, turn with me to Mark 15:16

today, we come to the end of the road that Jesus has been travelling and we have been following through Marks gospel for some time now.

A road that takes us outside the gates of jerusalem, to stand upon a hill known as golgotha, looking up at the cross of Jesus.

We are going to look at this text that takes us from the roman palace where Jesus is mocked in vs 16 to his final breath in vs 41 - and we are going to deal with this event over the next 5 weeks with each sermon looking at a different aspect of Mark’s account of our saviours suffering.

So let’s read: Mark 15:16-41

HOOK: Who is in Charge? Where does the buck stop?

As human beings we thrive when we have clarity on who is in charge.

Despite the fact that we live in a time when seemingly everyone is attempting to cast off authority. And words like hierarchy have a negative connatation.

The truth is that we have been created in such a way, that the respect of right authority, is instrinsic to who we are as human beings.

A child thrives, when they have clear and firm boundaries that have been set by a authority figure they trust. In fact, those trained in early childhood, will point out that when a young child is behaving badly, it is most likely not becuase they are “pushing the boundaries” - but beucase they don’t know where the boundaries are. What they need to know, is who is in charge, and where is the fence around this playground of life so that they can safely enjoy what is within it.

Despite what we might like to think, as we grow up, we arent a whole lot different. You may very well have grown out of nappies, but you still have an inbuilt need to know where the lines are and who is in charge.

Whether it be with the organisation of an event, within a business or organisation or family, or church, it is a comfort to know that you can trust the person with whom the buck stops. That someone is in charge.

Now these examples are significant, but small , who has authority in a family, in a business, where does the buck stop - in a nation? Significant, but small. Because there is a greater question that this internal need must answer - Who is in charge of everything?? Who sets the boundaries??

_____

In what we have just read - Mark is bringing to a climax the point he has been making since he introduced us to Jesus in chapter 1 - that God is in charge through Christ the king.

That Jesus is the king - of everyone and everywhere.

Or to quote Australia’s favourite and best theologian - ‘he’s the king of the jungle, he’s the king of the sea, hes the king of the universe and he’s the king of me’ - Colin Buchanan

Now, to show us this reality - to proclaim to us that Jesus is king, that he is in Charge - Mark tell’s us… how he died.

The King Crucified in Mark

16-20 Purple robe, crown, thorns, King of the Jews. -

Some would summarise and say that the main theme of Mark 15 - is the kingship of jesus - IN Mark 15 - 6 x Jesus is mocked as being king - yet in this mark is showing us through irony who is truly in charge.

The one mocked as king, truly is king. The one crowned, clothed in purpose, bowed down too, though it all be in mockery - is the one who will be corwned and clothed in glory by God, and given all rule and authority in heaven and on earth.

I hope you can recall, this is the culmination of a theme that Mark has been weaving all throughout his gospel account. But rather than revisiting that for us this morning, instead wanna show you that this is the culmination also, of a theme and a promise the God has been weaving throughout the history of the world.

a story that begins, not in mark 1 but in gen 1

BIb. Theo. God as King

[Biblical theology of the reign of God culminating in Christ the king who is enthroned upon the cross. The Gospel through the lens of God’s kingship.]

(Creation) God speaks - king of the world

As a king speaks and his attendants bend to his will - so God speaks and the universe bends to his will.

Image bearers - as a king would set up his statue (his image) in a city he rules over to represent him… so his image bearers, humans, living breathing statues are to represent him in all the earth.

God created by his world and he reigns as king over his kingdom, where he dwells with his people - a kingdom that is defined by peace and plenty.

Until -

2. (Fall) - rebellion against the king - denying his rule and his word

Tried to storm the throne… all have sinned

Cast out from the presence of the king

3. (Exodus-Joshua) God reigns - God over gods and kingdoms and rulers

pharoah

babylonions, assyria, persians, greeks (Tools)

Yet still, Israel rejects God as king, and they demand a king like the nations.

4. God Rules - through kings and nations

So God gives them Saul, followed by David and then his son Solomon.

yet they all fail

There must be a king who would rule and reign with peace and equity

5. So God Promises a king - a king through whom God would reign over his kingdom

2 Sm 7 - he would be a king decended from David - but his throne will last forever

psalm 2 - God will set his king on mount zion - and he will be his Son - and he will rule over all the nations

isaiah (First half (1-39) looks forward to a promised king who would rule and reign with justice, and the second half (40-66), turns, and speaks of the servant of God who will suffer. The king who would reign through suffering.

6. (Jesus) Arrival of the king, who decends from David - who proclaims that the kingdom draws near.

Triumphal Entry – the Coronation of the King 

Anointed to rule – Woman at Bethany 

tHen as we have read, through the great tool of Irony Mark shows us how Jesus is proclaimed as king, Dressed as a King, Crowned for his head, and the people pay homage to him as king.

Then, comes

The enthronement of the King

moment where Christ is Enthroned -

Although, in would not be on a throne, but upon a cross.

John 12:23 – Jesus speaks of the cross as the hour when he is lifted up in Glory.

This is what is most baffling.

Christ’s lifting up, his time of glory, his enthronement, doesn't come as he takes authority by force or power or might… though he could have.

instead,

a. Christ is enthroned in glory as he lays his life down.

Look at the text!

Are you struck by how the event of the crucifixion of the Son of God portrayed to us. Jesus the king, the son of God, who is all powerful, and by his own admission - At any point he could call upon his father to send legions of Angels who all submit to his authority.

And this Jesus gives himself over.

Now Mark shows us this As Jesus is is delivered to be crucified up in verse 15. And if you just skim your eyes over the text that we read this morning, even the grammar itself, focusses on the sinful men.

As

Hebrews 12:3 (ESV) Says

3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

The focus in this narrative is on the actions of the sinful men.

Skim over the 16 to 24.

they...they…they…they…they crucified im.

Jesus the infinitely powerful, the Son of God in the flesh through whom all was created… lays his life down.

John 10:18 “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.””

Here is our saviour, our king!

b. Jesus enthroned as he gives his life to save others.

Mark 15:29–32 (ESV)

29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

Oh you are the Christ! you are the King!! just come down then

If he just came down he would get glory for himself - he would take it.

But Jesus isnt enthroned as a king becuase he can save himself.

Jesus is enthroned as king, by sacrifing himself

Jesus Reigns not by coming down from the cross to save himself, but by staying on the cross to save others.

Truly (Mark 10:45 “For even) the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Here is the moment of Christ’s glorification, him being lifted up and enthroned —- it comes as he lays his life down, to pay the price for our sins. It comes as he suffers, that we might be reconciled.

APPLY: Who is in charge? Jesus is

3 applications in light of this

Our King was glorified through suffering

Some of us, in recent times have been particularly touched by suffering.

Hebrews 12:3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Look to the king, let us suffer well - trusting in him.

Jesus is the enthroned king - who gave his life in humility and out of love - therefore this is the sort of kingdom he reigns over.

And, this is the sort of people will inhabit his kingdom.

Jesus didnt take the throne, by force, or might, Or political manoeuvering. He took it through humility and love as he is glorified. Therefore the sort of kingdom he rains over isn’t a kingdom that grows by force, or political manoeuvering or backstabbery.

No it’s the kingdom of its king, it’s a cross like a kingdom. Love humility.

John 13:34–35 (ESV)

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Ephesians 5:1–2 (ESV)

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

There is a nice Christian thing to say right… lets love one-another.

but look… not just warm & fluffy love… as Christ loved us and gave himself up.

not roses and love letters sort of love - but self sacrificial - nailed to a tree in place of others sort of love.

Not love that brings momentary delight - but love that considers others eternal future - that considers thier standing before God.

what would our lives look like, if we sought to imitate our king in this sort of love.

What sort of self denial would it take? (family, money, freindship, work).

Jesus is enthroned - He has all rule and authority, power and dominion - He is in charge, he sets the boundaries.

last week - how do we glorify God? by loving him and obeying his commands

Hey kids - Loving God and Obeying him go together. Just like with our parents. Loving our parents means trusting and doing what they say. Certainly there are times we sin - and we don’t listen and disobey and we need forgiveness.

To all of as children of God - we cant love him without trusting and obeying him.

John 14:15 ““If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

What does the Law of God require? that we love God with all our heart soul mind and strength and love our neighbour as ourselves.

Matthew 22:37–40 “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.””

this isnt a suggestion - it is a command of our King

If you are a part of his kingdom by faith in the king who Laid his life down for you and gave his life so that he might ransom you and forgive you of your sin. If that’s you a suggestion, maybe you should try loving maybe you should try… give it a shot/// No he is king, and he deservers our adoration and our full obedience. Why? becuase in his moment of glory, he displayed his great love for you.