Take up your Cross

Good morning LRBC, it’s great to see you all. Welcome all of you that are joining us online, whether you are watching live with us this morning, or watching at some other time through the week, I want to welcome you and invite you to comment this morning with your favorite worship song, or hymn. You can even drop a link in the comments to a video of that song, then we can all worship later with you. To those of you that are joining us in person, well we have had the great opportunity to worship together this morning and we are hopeful that the worship this morning was a blessing to you. There is a couple of things that I would like to address and make sure we are all on the same page this morning. This past Tuesday I sent out an email to all those that are on the church mailing list. By the way, if you do not receive our emails, then I want to encourage you to reach out to the office and get yourself on the mailing list, you can do that by email, phone, or even send us a message online through Facebook, whatever is easiest to you. Anyway, I sent out an email updating everyone on our new Covid protocols moving forward as a church. There are a couple of of things that I would like to highlight real quick this morning. First of all, on Easter Sunday we will be moving our seating back to a more normal seating arrangement. There will still be some seating available in a social distant manner, but the majority will be a bit closer together again. Although, I have heard that having the largely walkways has been nice, so we may figure out how to keep those…:) Secondly, on April 11th we will be celebrating 20 years in our current worship facility. That is a big deal, and so we will be having a party afterwards! Yes, we are bringing back a potluck meal! You will hear more about that in the coming weeks as the Deaconesses give us guidance on how that will happen. Finally, on April 18th we will be bringing back our Children’s Church time during the services once again. I know the kids are all super excited about that! You guys have got to be tired of listening to me all morning. I know your parents are :). That will be followed on April 24th with the return of all of our Adult and Kid’s Bible Study happening immediately after services each and every Sunday morning. I know we are all excited about this happening and will eagerly step up to both serve and participate in these opportunities. We will have some changing adult classes from time to time, and our kid’s classes will all be unified with Children’s Church and with every age group. I am so excited about the discipleship that will be happening in these rooms every Sunday once again, and I am hopeful that you will be excited about that as well!

So that takes care of some announcements and now I would like us to focus our minds and hearts towards the Scriptures this morning. I want to quickly remind you about where we are. We are studying the book of Mark, and that is a book that was written specifically you Roman Gentiles. In other words, this book was written to those that are not part of the Jewish religious system, but they have now become interested in learning about Jesus. Mark is writing this book in order to help encourage them in their faith, and to teach them about what discipleship really means. Truly this book is an opportunity for any believer, whether new or old to grow in our own discipleship much as the early readers had the opportunity. Currently we are in chapter 15, and we have moved into the more dark portion of Scripture. We have seen many things, but over the last couple of weeks we have seen Jesus in the Garden of Pressing, we have seen Jesus betrayed and abandoned by everyone that promised to never leave him. We have seen Jesus interrogated by the religious leaders, and again by Pilate. These events were followed by Jesus being sentenced to death by a crowd of people and the soldiers who hated him, flogged him to the point of near death. That is where we are picking up this morning. Jesus has just been flogged and we are going to see what is going to happen next.

However, before we get to that, I want to share with you something I learned this week about graffiti. We all know what graffiti is and most of us would say that we do not appreciate graffiti. I will however say that i have frequently enjoyed graffiti. Well, good graffiti anyway. You see, there are a couple of types of graffiti isn’t there? First you have the stuff you see on the walls of a subway, or a train car. Typically this is gang related, or crass and truly horrible things that exist. Then you have another type of graffiti that is simply art. Many times that art is placed in places illegally, but at times it is put there legally. Actually a good definition of graffiti is writing or drawings made on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti has changed over the years and has been used in different ways. As a matter of fact, I came across some graffiti this week that came from El-DE House in Cologne, the Gestapo headquarters and interrogation center that somehow survived the Allied bombings that destroyed over 90% of the city. This is a place that for 10 years hundreds of political prisoners, and dissidents of every country were held in windowless rooms, interrogated, tortured and then dragged out to be shot. A truly horrible place. This place is a museum now, and it is interesting because in it we see some rather important graffiti. Some of it is simply people being people. One phrase written on the walls is, “When no one thinks of you, your mother thinks of you.” this is clearly written by a person that has no hope and is longing to think of their mother. There is a lot of this graffiti that is actually political in nature. One phrase that was written is “You might just as well try to dry the floor by throwing water on it as to end this war by fighting.” There is some depth there that a prisoner is trying to get out their frustrations with.

You know, I would venture to say that most of us have probably participated in graffiti of some sort in our younger years. Maybe it was writing on a chair in school, or maybe it was carving in a tree somewhere. Actually, just this past year my family went to Dubuque and I took a moment to carve into an old rock our family name and the year. Well that’s not a new concept just to us. While it is true that the modern day graffiti with spray paint really came around in the late 60’s, prior to that graffiti happened with whatever sharp object someone had on no whatever surface was around. As a matter of fact, as I think about school aged kids writing something on a desk, or chair, I should tell you about another place that graffiti was found. Back in 1857 there was excavations of the emperor Caligula’s palace, which later became a boarding school for imperial guards. Well, this graffiti was placed on the wall and it is speculated that it was drawn by a pagan student at this school that was board at the time. This drawing that you see on the screen here is of a person raising a hand to another that is hanging from a cross with a person that has the head of a donkey. Now, this is largely seen as an insulting drawing making fun of both the person raising his hand, as well as the person on the cross. The inscription that written with this picture is, “Alexamenos worships (his) god” This phrase was meant to parody the faith of a person named, Alexamenos. What is interesting is that scholars have confirmed that in a different room of the same complex the graffiti, “Alexamenos fidelis” was found. This is translated into Alexamenos the faithful.

Why did I share this story with you? Well, this morning we are going to be talking about the crucifixion and one of the most common questions when talking about the crucifixion is if this is even real. Well, I wanted to be able to show you tangible evidence of the historicity of Jesus’ crucifixion going all the way back to around 200 AD, roughly 170 years after this event took place. What is interesting is that the cross has become a symbol of Christianity, however it used to be a symbol that struck fear in those that saw it. According to Josephus, a Jewish historian, during the seige of Jerusalem the Romans crucified captives before the walls of Jerusalem in different postures and ways according to their sadistic ingenuity. While there is little evidence of this practice, in 1968 a group of Israeli archaeologist discovered a tomb revealing evidence of the reality of the act of crucifixion. What they found was a nail pushed through an ankle bone. You can look that up yourself and see this for yourself, but the point is that there is verifiable evidence of the practice of this torturous death.

So, now that we have had a short archeological lesson this morning, let’s take a look at the passage that brings all of this to reality for us. Now, I want to ask you to try and place yourself in this story today. Maybe you can image what Jesus is literally going through, or maybe you imagine that you are a spectator watching these things actually happen. However you read this, don’t allow this to just be words that you have read a hundred times. Pay attention to what is happening here and appreciate the historical context of what is happening. Now, turn with me over to

Mark 15:16–20 ESV

And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 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. And they led him out to crucify him.

Jesus is Mocked (Mark 15:16-20)

Ok, so we see here that Jesus is mocked by these soldiers. I should clarify that this group of soldiers is not a small group. What is translated here as battalion, is actually better translated as a company or a cohort, and that is roughly 600 soldiers. Now, it does not seem that Mark is using this term rigidly, as in there was not a head count, but we can understand that this was not a small group of people mocking Jesus. So you have a large group of soldiers that are mocking Jesus, and they are doing it in the courtyard of Herod’s palace. In John 19:13 we read that the trial occured at Gabbatha, which is translated as “high point”. This would seem to make sense as the crowd came up to see Pilate and demand Jesus’ crucifixion, and Herod’s palace was located on the prominent western hill of Jerusalem.

Then as the soldiers are mocking him, they proceed to clothe him in royal clothing. The purple robe, being the most expensive color, is the color for royalty. Then they create for him a crown by twisting thorns together and placing that on his head. Now typically when I have read this passage and heard these sermons I have understood that this crown was made of of massive thorns, like almost 1 inch long thorns and that was shoved onto Jesus head. That might be true, however, I something else is also very likely. You see the way that they made crowns for people in Rome is that they looked like tree leaves that were dipped in gold, much like this.... So, it would make sense that they would create something that would look similar to this as they were mocking him as royalty. Therefore, it makes more sense that the plant that they would have used would be something like this…

But they didn’t stop there…no, they continued by saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” mocking Jesus with a variation of the phrase reserved for Caesar, “Ave Caesar, victor, imperator.” meaning, “Hail Caesar, glorious commander.” This is the ultimate mockery from these people, and this isn't just a mockery of Jesus, but they are to a lesser extent, mocking those that follow Jesus. However, they start to get upset with Jesus, because he is not fighting back, so they start to hit him with a reed. The best example would be like a young bamboo reed, flexible, but hard. This continued and they spit on Jesus and they pretended to worship him.

What is interesting is that in these actions, they are doing the actions that should be done, but they are doing them in ignorance…instead of in reverence....and…well, you know…we do that to don’t we? We pretend and we do all the right stuff, and from the outside it maybe looks like we are actually following Jesus, but in reality…they are just actions.

I really love what Edwards says here,

The Gospel according to Mark Scourge and Scorn (15:16–20a)

The blows, spitting, and mock prostrations (v. 19) are prelude to the more horrible crucifixion to follow. A Roman execution squad consisted of four soldiers and was overseen by a centurion, a commander of a hundred soldiers. Such a squad marches Jesus to the site of crucifixion (v. 20). Bespattered with blood and ridicule, the figure of Jesus again recalls Isaiah’s suffering servant:

Isaiah 50:6 ESV

I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.

You see, Jesus will continue to fulfill prophecies throughout this time as the Suffering Servant. But, you know…This is about Jesus, and about how he handled this suffering. But I wonder about you? Last week we talked about how Jesus was a perfect picture of how we should respond to suffering as believers. This week we see Jesus responding in that very way as he is tortured naked in front of many people. Just as the soldiers mocked and tormented Jesus there in the courtyard, they turned at this point and led him outside having given his clothes back, they led him out so that they can crucify him.

Read with me as we continue this story in vs. 21-32

Mark 15:21–32 ESV

And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 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 for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 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, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “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.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

Jesus is Crucified (Mark 15:21-32)

Ok, so right off the bat we have this guy Simon that has been pulled into help Jesus. One of the things that the Jewish people hated about the Roman rule is that any soldier at any time could simply take someone that was able and force them to do whatever they were asked to do. As a matter of fact Jesus spoke about this in

Matthew 5:41 ESV

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

So let me give you a little clarity as to what exactly this Simon is doing. You see, condemned prisoners typically had to carry the crossbeam to their cross to the place of their execution. This was not the same location at all times, although Im sure they had some locations that they used frequently. The idea of crucifixion was as much torture for the guilty as it was fear inducing for those that would see it. Apparently Jesus was to weak from being beaten and mocked that he was unable to carry the crossbeam. That is how Simon of Cyrene came to be used. He was just making his way back into town and was forced into this situation. Now we don’t really know Rufus, but it seems that Mark’s readers would realize who Simon was by telling them who his children are. Also in Rom. 16:13 we read about Rufus as a believer. It would seem that this action of carrying Christs crossbeam led to his family becoming believers.

Romans 16:13 ESV

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

So thats pretty cool!

As the story continues we see that Jesus is taken out to a place called Golgotha. Now there is no other indications of where this place is, which tells us that the location is not really important. What is important is the action of what is happening to Jesus. However, Mark is giving some location data in order to add to the legitimacy of the event.

In Ps. 69:21 we read about the suffering of a righteous man,

Psalm 69:21 ESV

They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.

Then we see Jesus suffering and being offered a strong drink. This drink was a narcotic that they would give to people to deaden the pain somewhat. However, Jesus refused it. Some theologians that Jesus refused this sour drink in order to fulfill his vow of not drinking again until.his reception into the Kingdom of God. I love the commentary of James Edwards here,

“He does not rely on a narcotic to render his final act of obedience, but accepts God’s will in a fully conscious state.”

The suffering servant does not seek to deaden his senses as he seeks to be obedient.

The Roman soldiers continued mocking Jesus by placing a sign on the cross acknowledging Jesus as the king of the Jews. It was normal that they would typically hang something around the neck of the person that was being crucified so that others would know what they should avoid doing. Well in this instance again, Pilate is seen unknowingly proclaiming the truth of Jesus, and allowing all to see. Things keep going pretty quickly now becuase next you see two thieves hanging on Jesus’ right and left. What is interesting here is that this is not necessarily a normal configuration. However, this does bring to mind the conversation where James and John asked Jesus if they could sit on his right and his left. Look at

Mark 10:37–38 ESV

And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

What an amazing picture to remind James and John who said that they could drink the cup that he had to drink, which means to sacrifice and suffer the way Jesus will. They said they could, and now they are reminded of their failure to fulfill this promise. Just like we are reminded of our failure to fulfill our promises every single day. These two thieves on the cross join in on the mockery along with the soldiers and those in the Sanhedrin that had him convicted. They threw insults at him in various ways, however there is one that is very telling. As they cried out that he saved others, but he cannot save himself. This is such a stark reversal of reality that we have to pay attention to this. Read what James Brooks writes here.

Mark 17. The Crucifixion (15:21–41)

When the leaders said, “He saved others,” they probably were referring to Jesus’ healing miracles and just possibly to his resurrection miracles as well. The Christian reader/hearer, however, should understand the word “save” in its deeper, theological sense of salvation from sin and should also recall 8:35. Precisely because he refused to save himself, he was able to save others.

So in Jesus’ death we are reminded of our own need for a savior. We are reminded that we are equivalent to a thief on a cross next to Jesus. However how we respond is what will make the eternal impact.

How will I Respond?

So, how will you respond? Will you accept this gift that Jesus died for, or will you mock the death of Jesus with your actions? I know that no one here, and likely no one watching online this morning would ever mock Jesus with your words…but will you mock his death with your life? That is a much harder question becuase the reality is that we all mock Jesus with our actions every time we face a decision to sin, and knowingly choose to sin. Every time you tell a lie and then don’t come clean with that lie. Every time you gossip and then do not repent of that action you are mocking Jesus’ death with your life. Now the good news is that there is a way to reverse coarse. That coarse correction simply entails repentance and then correcting your actions. Think about what Jesus said back in

Mark 8:34 ESV

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

What does this mean? Well to be honest, I think that many people have taken this verse and misapplied it to their life in some way. Im sure I have done that in the past myself. However, this morning I want to briefly talk about this because we are reminded with Simon of Cyrene that Simon took up the cross and walked it to the place of crucifixion. Literally, Simon took up his cross (his becuase the Roman official told him to take it) and followed Jesus.

Many people interpret this passage as meaning that we need to simply carry our burdens and be ready to carry it no matter how heavy it is. We are to take up our cross, and carry it to the finish line. I’ll tell you what that will preach to. You just need to buckle down and do the right thing and pick up your cross one more day and follow Jesus. The problem is that not everything that you can make sound good from a pulpit is actually biblical.

You see, we are separated from the meaning of a cross here 2000 years after the Roman rule. For us the cross is a symbol of Christ and his holiness, a symbol of hope and a future. However, at the time this was written the cross was the exact opposite. To a person in the first-century, the cross meant one thing and one thing only: death by the most painful and humiliating means human beings could develop. Therefore, “Take up your cross and follow Me” means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called “dying to self.” It’s a call to absolute surrender. Every time Jesus commanded cross bearing, He said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” In other words, if you are not willing to sacrifice and die to yourself, your desires, your goals, your focus, your pride…then there is no place for you in the Kingdom of God.

For Mark as he writes this book his desire is to communicate what it means to be a true disciple of Christ. I will end this morning with this quote from James Edwards,

“…the most indispensable and distinguishing mark of discipleship for Mark—taking up one’s cross and following Jesus. Simon of Cyrene becomes the first person in Mark literally to fulfill that command. For Mark, discipleship is not a symbolic gesture, but concretely following Jesus.”—James Edwards

—Prayer—