A Condemned Savior

Thus far in our study of Mark’s presentation of the Passion narrative we’ve seen Jesus as the abandoned Savior, as a submitted Savior, and as a betrayed Savior. This morning we will see that He was also the condemned Savior.

Condemned = declared to be rephensible, wrong, or evil; to be pronounced guilty and sentenced to punishment, especially sentenced to death.

What gets condemned in our world:

Murders/criminals

Homes & buildings

Certain forms of speech & heinous actions

Condemnation can be a good thing, obviously. It can also be used in very ugly ways.

Modern ugly form of condemnation: Cancel Culture

Based on how what you believe and/or what you say makes someone else feel.

Often based on half-truths or mischaracterization of facts.

Devoid of grace.

Ignores two of the core principals of our society: free thought and free speech.

Is ultimately self-defeating.

In this, I see a toned downed version of what Jesus faced at the hands of the Jewish religious establishment.

Their hatred for Jesus was based on how they felt about Jesus and what He said, not about the merits of His claims.

They were willing to believe anything said about Him, if it fit the verdict they were looking for.

There was no grace in their hearts.

They completely ignored their own rules, laws, and, most importantly, the Scirptures.

Ultimately, their plans of stopping Jesus and the movement that was developing around Him failed epiclly.

This morning we will see this epic failure laid out, as we see the Jewish religious establishment condemn Jesus. And from that, we will see three vital implications that we should take to heart.

Exegesis of Mark 14:53-65

Verse 53

Jesus on trial…in all six trials...

Illegal trial?

Maybe...

Verses 55-59

“were seeking testimony against Jesus” = they’d already made up their minds about Jesus, so they were simply looking for a stronger legal case to bring to the Romans.

Why the Romans?

Possibly because they weren’t allowed to carry out the death penalty...

Possibly because they wanted the Romans to serve as their scapegoat for the crowds...

“many bore false witness against him...”

“...but their testimony did not agree.”

“We heard him say, ‘I will destroy the temple...’”

“Yet even about this their testimony did not agree.”

Verses 60-61a

“Have you no answer?”

“…he remained silent...”

Isaiah 53:7 ESV

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

Verses 61b-62

“Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

“I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

This is a climatic statement of Mark’s Gospel.

First time He publicly confessed to being the Messiah.

Comes from Psalm 110:1 & Daniel 7:13-14

Psalm 110:1 ESV

The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”

Daniel 7:13–14 ESV

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

There is no ambiguity in Jesus answer. Not only was he a son of God, but he was the divine Son of Man, sitting at the right hand of God!

And, He will come to save, but He will also come to judge in perfect righteousness.

Verses 63-65

“…they all condemned him as deserving death.”

They humiliate and mistreat the Lord...

Three Vital Implications of Mark 14:53-65

Jesus endured humiliation and condemnation, in order to save sinners from eternal humilitation and condemnation.

Never forget that Jesus endured all of this in order to save His people from our sins.

The Gospel is yet again center stage here...

Jesus will one day condemn all those who condemn Him, by personal rejection and unbelief, to eternal separation from God.

Jesus statement to the High Priest’s inquiry was a bold statement that He will eventually righteously judge those who judged Him in unrighteousness.

This is a fact that many steer clear from today. We’d rather paint Jesus as the benevolent hippy in the sky who just wants to love and snuggle us.

Or, like a kindly grandparent, who is begging his people to just please be nice to each other and visit on the holidays.

Or, too often in the modern growth-at-any-cost church, as a desperate boyfriend trying to woo back a girlfriend who’s dating other guys by showing off his new clothes, new hairstyle and new less high-strung attitude.

Yet, none of these are a biblical picture of Jesus. Yes, He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the advocate for His people, and the Good Shepherd. But, He is also Righteous Judge, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and the One with the sharp two-edged sword in Revelation.

Jesus statement in verse 62 is powerful and clear. So clear, in fact, that the High Priest understands that Jesus equating Himself with God by ascribing God’s honor to Himself.

In doing so, He is clearly telling them that one day, those who judge Him will stand before Him receiving a sentence of guilty.

Jesus gives His followers an example to follow when we are condemned by others.

Jesus didn’t refute their lies, refusing to dignify their false accusations with a response.

We should remember that those who condemn Jesus and His people are not looking to have their minds changed.

We should remember that lairs could care less about the facts.

We should remember what Jesus said about people’s words against His church:

Matthew 5:11–12 ESV

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

When Jesus did speak, He bold spoke the truth, which would ultimately condemn Him in the eyes of His accusers.

We should remember that honest people will tell the truth, even when it leads to personal pain and suffering.