The Crowd who Cried "Crucify Him" - Mark 15:13

Introduction

Our text today renders a powerful examination focusing on a moment when human voices rose in unified rejection of the innocent Son of God. I pray the Holy Spirit would open to us God’s words today and produce in our minds and hearts the intense truths concerning the scene that is set before us, understanding that Jesus endured all these things for us.

1. The Crowd’s Cry: A Scene of Shame

This is perhaps one Scriptures most chilling moments. This was not a whisper of doubt or a tentative suggestion, it was a thunderous, collective demand for death. The word that is used for “cried” suggests a loud, passionate outcry, revealing the intensity of the crowd’s rejection. The crowd’s demand was unprecedented in it’s cruelty.

Personal Application Concerning this Cry: This crowd’s mentality did not die in Jerusalem. Every time we allow public opinion to override biblical truth, every time we remain silent when Christ is mocked in our culture, every time we prioritize fitting in over standing out for righteousness, we join the crowd. Will our voice be added to this crowd?

2. The Crowd’s Choice: A Stirring Sin

We find in this crowd the manipulation of envy: Mark 15:10 “For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.” Religious leaders hated the growing influence of Jesus and His authority.

We also find with this crowd the power of influence: Mark 15:11 “But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.” Sin doesn’t just affect individuals it mobilizes crowds, creates movements, and builds momentum toward destruction when it is left unchecked. These people were moved to demand the release of a murderer, instead of the Master.

We must understand the contagion of conformity: Most of this crowd probably had no personal grievance against Jesus. Yet they joined the cry because everyone else was shouting. Sin spreads through social pressure, peer influence, and the fear of standing alone. Mob mentality is like a wildfire out of control.

Personal Application Concerning Choice: We must guard against crowd compromise!

Examine your Influences - What’s moving you? Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

Resist Pressure of Conformity - Move in the direction of Scripture. Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Recognize Envy’s Dangers - Guard your heart at all times. James 3:16 “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

Choose your Crowd Carefully - Cautious about being influenced wrong. Proverbs 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: But a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

3. The Crowd’s Cruelty: A Scandalous Sentence

This crowd demanded the most horrific, shameful form of execution known to mankind. This execution wasn’t about ending Jesus’ life; it was about utterly humiliating Him, making a spectacle of His suffering, and ensuring His name would be associated with the worst criminals. It was physically brutal and extremely painful. However, this shame my Jesus endured brought salvation to all who will come to Him! Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Personal Application Concerning the Cost: Respond and Reflect deeply on this cost!

Allow this to transform your living! 2 Corinthians 5:15 “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

4. The Calm Christ: A Saviour’s Submission

Jesus possessed power restraint being aligned with the Father He demonstrated divine strength and ultimate victory! His silence spoke volumes over the loud cry of this crowd.

The noise of this crowd represented humanities rebellion: Loud, insistent, demanding its own way, refusing to hear heaven’s voice.

His silence represented divine love: Patient, purposeful, redemptive and ultimately triumphant over human rage.

Personal Application Concerning Christ: Emulate Christ’s humility in our trials!

When Falsely Accused: 1 Peter 2:23 “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”

When Misunderstood: Jesus was the most misunderstood person in history. Even HIs own disciples did not fully grasp HIs mission, the crowds wanted a political liberator, the religious leaders saw Him as a threat. Yet, He didn’t exhaust Himself trying to make everyone understand. He trusted His Father’s timing and plan.

When Facing Injustice: The crucifixion of Christ was the greatest injustice in human history. However, Christ saw beyond the immediate injustice of it to the eternal purpose and necessity of it.

Hebrews 9:23–24 “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”

5. The Call to Courage: A Step of Surrender

The crowd chose the path of least resistance. What direction will you step today? Will you walk away from the crowd and commit to the Christ?

The Warning: The crowd foolishly thought their voice mattered most, they thought their opinion was righteous, their judgement was justified. They were tragically and eternally wrong! Don’t allow history to repeat itself in your life.

The Challenge: Jesus still divides the crowds today. Will you join Jesus or reject Him?

Personal Application Concerning Commitment: Christ’s love endures forever and it includes you today!

Leave the crowd and follow the Saviour! Confess Jesus as the Son of God today and place faith in His word!

Convicting Conclusion

Commitment Cries: Lord Jesus I confess that i have in the past been part of the crowd that rejected you. I have in the past chosen my way over yours. I have in the past chosen the world’s approval over your will. Commitment Cries: Lord today I turn from the crowd and I turn to you. I accept your sacrifice for my sins upon the cross. I receive your forgiveness and your grace. I place my faith in you Jesus the Son of God and your word. I commit at this moment and forever my life to following you, no matter the cost.

Commitment Cries: Lord today give me courage to stand for You and with Your people when the crowd stands against You.