Jesus' Death on the Cross

Introduction / Review

Last week, we explored the first pillar of the Gospel: Jesus is God in the flesh. Using the Gospel of Mark, we saw His divine authority:

He taught with authority

Cast out demons

Forgave sins

Healed the sick

Calmed storms

Raised the dead

Called followers—and they came

Jesus did what only God can do, and He did it perfectly. Scripture confirms His deity:

John 1:1,14 — “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” John 10:30 — “I and the Father are one.”

This is the first of three Gospel pillars: Jesus is God in the flesh.

Tonight, we turn to the second pillar—Jesus’ death. But first, we need to define two key terms: sin and crucifixion.

Definition: Sin

1 John 3:4 — “Sin is lawlessness.”

Sin is defiance of God’s law—like stepping past a protective fence or crossing a line drawn in the sand. Galatians 3:24 calls the law a tutor leading us to Christ.

In Hebrew, chata’ means “to miss the mark”—like an archer who falls short.

Sin also includes iniquity—our natural bent toward depravity and guilt. It begins when we are concieved.

Psalm 51:5 “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

Sin began in Eden. God gave Adam one command:

Genesis 2:16–17 “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.””

But Adam and Eve were tempted to mistrust God. They sinned.

Romans 5:12 — “Sin came into the world through one man...and death through sin…”

Summary: Sin is lawlessness, transgression, iniquity, and guilt. It began in the garden and affects all people.

Definition: Crucifixion

Deuteronomy 21:23 — “...a hanged man is cursed by God.”

Crucifixion was a brutal, shameful punishment. Ancient empires impaled or suspended enemies. The Romans perfected it as public deterrence.

Victims were flogged with a flagrum—a whip embedded with metal and bone to tear flesh. Then they were paraded through the streets carrying their patibulum (crossbeam), stripped, and nailed to the cross.

Suspended by outstretched arms, breathing became agonizing. Each breath required pushing up to relieve chest pressure—then collapsing back onto the nails.

Crucifixion wasn’t just painful—it was humiliating. No wonder Scripture says:

“Cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree.”

The Significance of the Cross – Why Did Jesus Die?

1. Hours Before Christ’s Death (Mark 15:16–33)

As we read through this passage, try to identify the elements we discussed in our definition of crucifixion.

Mark 15:16–33 — “And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion.”

That’s about 600 soldiers. They clothed Him in a purple cloak, twisted together a crown of thorns, and placed it on His head. Then they began to salute Him:

“Hail, King of the Jews!”

This wasn’t just a routine execution of a criminal. The Roman soldiers recognized Jesus as the King of the Jews. It’s right there in the text.

Continuing in verse 19:

“And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him.”

This had become a sport to them.

If you’ve ever been bullied, you can relate. People join in as if it’s a game—taunting and degrading. They don’t ask who you are or why you’re there. They just see weakness, or difference, or truth—and they pounce. It’s not about justice. It’s about spectacle. And the more people laugh, the more it grows. Until the crowd isn’t just watching—they’re participating. Mocking becomes a chorus. Cruelty becomes choreography. And the one being mocked? He’s left standing alone—not because He’s guilty, but because He’s good.

“And they led him out to crucify him.

They compelled a passerby—Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry His cross.”

Simon was just minding his own business when he found himself in the middle of a Roman crucifixion. They forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. Remember the flagrum or whip? It likely tore Jesus’ back open, exposing his back bone with deep gashes and leaving Him a bloody mess. Simon was there to carry His patibulum—the crossbeam.

Luke 23:26 — Simon walked behind Jesus.

We don’t know if they exchanged words, but whatever happened that day deeply affected Simon. So much so that he told his wife and children about Jesus of Nazareth. Paul mentions Rufus and his mother in Romans 16:13:

“Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.”

Continuing in our passage, look at verse 22:

“And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.”

This fulfilled Psalm 22:18:

“They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

It was the third hour—9 a.m.—when they crucified Him. The inscription read:

“The King of the Jews.”

Again, Pilate proclaimed Jesus as King.

John 19:19 — Pilate wrote the charge. John 19:21 — The chief priests asked him to change it. John 19:22 — “What I have written I have written.”

They crucified Him between two robbers—one on His right, one on His left. and those passing by mocked Him, wagging their heads:

“Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!”

Even the chief priests and scribes mocked Him:

“He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.”

Even those crucified with Him reviled Him.

And then, at the sixth hour—noon—darkness covered the land until the ninth hour—3 p.m.

Summary:

They laughed at Me. Not because I was weak, but because I didn’t fight back. They dressed Me in a robe—not to honor Me as King, but to make Me a joke. The crown they gave Me wasn’t gold—it was thorns. Every thorn pressed into My head was a reminder: This is what the world does to love it doesn’t understand.

They spat on Me. They hit Me. They said, “Prophesy, Messiah! Who hit You?” I could have answered. I could have stopped it. But I stayed silent—not because I lacked power, but because I had a purpose.

I saw their eyes—some filled with hate, some with fear, some just following the crowd. And I loved them. Even as they mocked Me, I loved them. Because I knew: This is what redemption looks like. Not applause. Not comfort. But rejection.

I bore their insults so they wouldn’t have to bear their shame. I wore their cruelty so they could wear My righteousness. The mockery didn’t break Me. It revealed them. And still—I, Jesus chose the cross.

2. Christ’s Cry and Death (Mark 15:34–37)

Mark 15:34–37 — “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”

This cry—Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?—is a direct fulfillment of Psalm 22. That Psalm opens with the same words and paints a vivid picture of the suffering servant, echoing the imagery found in Isaiah’s prophecies.

Psalm 22:1–8 — “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads: ‘He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!’”

This Psalm doesn’t just predict suffering—it reveals the emotional and spiritual depth of abandonment, mockery, and trust in the midst of pain. Jesus wasn’t quoting randomly; He was anchoring His suffering in Scripture, showing that even in agony, He was fulfilling prophecy.

Verse 35 continues:

“And some of the bystanders hearing it said, ‘Behold, he is calling Elijah.’”

They misunderstood His cry. Some thought He was invoking Elijah, the prophet who was taken up and believed by some to return in moments of crisis.

“And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.’”

Even in His final moments, the crowd was watching for spectacle, not salvation.

“And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.”

This was not a whimper. It was a loud cry—a declaration. Jesus didn’t fade away; He gave up His spirit with purpose. The suffering servant had fulfilled His mission. The Lamb of God had taken on the sin of the world. And with that final breath, redemption was set in motion.

3.  Immediately after Christ’s Death (Mark 15:38-39)

Mark 15:38–39 “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

The curtain was 60 feet tall and 30 feet wide and several inches thick. It separated the Holy Place from the most Holy Place. Even priest were only one time a year to enter on the day of Atonement which is where the priest would make atonement for the sins of the people through a series of rituals symbolic to cover sin.

vs 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!””

The Centurion was a Roman soldier. He had experienced the entire crucifixion as only a soldier could. He was in charge of 100 soldiers and kept a watchful eye as he commanded his men. His assessment is repentance he turns and agrees that Jesus isn’t just a common criminal but the very Son of God!

4. Impact of Christ’s Sacrifice (Mark 10:42–45)

Mark 10:42–45 — “And Jesus called them (His disciples) to Him and said to them, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.’”

Jesus was teaching His disciples about leadership—not the kind they were used to seeing, but the kind that reflects the heart of God. He pointed out how Gentile rulers often dominate, asserting power and control over others. But His kingdom would be different.

He was preparing them to understand that true greatness doesn’t come from status or authority—it comes through humility and service.

This sets the stage for His radical call:

“But it shall not be so among you…”

In His kingdom, leadership is not about being first—it’s about being last. Not about being served—but about serving.

“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.”

Then He reveals the model they are to follow:

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus didn’t come as a political king. He came as the embodiment of perfect humanity. He came to show us what it means to live a full and meaningful life—not by seeking power, but by laying it down.

He showed us that true satisfaction comes from putting others’ needs above our own. From sacrificing comfort for compassion. From choosing service over self.

His death wasn’t just a transaction—it was a demonstration. A demonstration of love. Of humility. Of what it means to lead by laying down your life.

5.  Purposefulness of Christ's Sacrifice (Mark 8, 9, 10)

Mark chapters 8–10 reveal Jesus’ intentional journey toward the cross, emphasizing that His sacrifice was not accidental or reactive—it was purposeful, prophetic, and deeply tied to His mission of redemption.

📖 Mark 8: Revelation and Redirection

Peter’s Confession vs 27-30: Peter declares Jesus as the Messiah, marking a turning point in understanding His identity.

Jesus’ First Prediction vs 31: Jesus immediately teaches that the Messiah must suffer, be rejected, killed, and rise again—shocking the disciples who expected a conquering king.

Call to Discipleship vs 34-38: Jesus links His sacrifice to theirs: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross…” (Mark 8:34). His path of suffering becomes the model for theirs.

Purposefulness: Jesus begins to redefine Messiahship—not as domination, but as self-giving love. His sacrifice is not a detour; it’s the destination.

📖 Mark 9: Glory and Humility

Transfiguration vs 2-8: Jesus reveals His divine glory to Peter, James, and John, affirming His identity while still pointing toward the cross.

Second Prediction vs 30-32: He again tells the disciples He will be betrayed, killed, and rise again (Mark 9:31), reinforcing that His death is deliberate.

Teaching on Greatness vs 33-37: He places a child before them, saying true greatness is found in humility and service—not status.

Purposefulness: Even in moments of divine revelation, Jesus anchors His mission in sacrificial love. The cross is not weakness—it’s the ultimate strength.

📖 Mark 10: The Road to Redemption

Third Prediction vs 32-34: Jesus gives the most detailed forecast of His suffering: betrayal, mocking, flogging, death, and resurrection (Mark 10:33–34).

James and John’s Request vs 35-40 : They ask for seats of honor; Jesus redirects them to the cup of suffering and baptism of death.

Servant Leadership vs 41-45 : “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

Purposefulness: Jesus explicitly defines His death as a ransom—a purposeful act of substitution and liberation. His sacrifice is not just noble—it’s necessary.

Summary

Jesus makes it clear that His journey to the cross is intentional—not a tragic accident, but the very heart of His mission. He predicts His suffering three times, teaches that true greatness comes through humility, and declares that He came to give His life as a ransom for many. Then in Mark 15:16–45, we see that purpose fulfilled: mocked, crowned with thorns, crucified, and abandoned, Jesus endures it all—not to save Himself, but to save us. When He dies, the temple curtain tears, symbolizing that His sacrifice opened the way for direct access to God. The cross wasn’t defeat—it was the doorway to redemption John 10:9. And now, that doorway stands open. The invitation is simple: come. Lay down your striving, your shame, your fear—and receive the love that was poured out for you.

Three Pillars of the Gospel:

1. Jesus is the Son of God. 

2. The crucifixion.