(Mark 15:1-15) The Kingdom of God is at Hand Sermon

Intro

We have looked at the life of Jesus through the gospel of Mark, and in doing so we have focused on his person, his power, his leadership, and his humility.

Chp. 1-8 were exciting and miraculous, Chp.9 and following have been laborious and foreboding as Jesus makes his way to the cross.

Last week Jesus boldly stepped from the shadows of ministry into the full view of his accusers.

He declared to Ciaphas, “I am the Christ, the Son of the Blessed, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

In Christ the Kingdom of God was at hand - it had come, and it was coming!

Here at the end of Jesus’ life it is easy question whether God’s Kingdom was truly at hand.

The Kingdom of God was at hand when Judas went to conspire with the religious elite about how they could capture and kill Jesus.

The Kingdom of God was at hand on that lonely night when Jesus was abandoned, arrest, and bound.

The Kingdom of God was at hand when Peter denied Jesus.

The Kingdom of God was at hand the following morning when the soldiers led Jesus to Pontius Pilate to validate their guilty verdict.

Each time we recite the Apostles Creed we remember the Jesus’ trial before Pilate.

“suffered under Pontius Pilate”

But the Creed does not end there, it goes on to say, “The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.”

Let’s look to today’s text to see how Christ came to welcome those in need into his kingdom.

v. 1 - The Stage Is Set

What Ciaphas and the Sanhedrin had done the night before was illegal, so the following morning they brought Jesus to Pilate so he could justify their ruling.

Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. His official residence was in Caesarea by the Sea, but he was in Jerusalem to carry out business around the gathering of Passover.

PARALLEL PASSAGE

Matt 27:3-10 - It is at this time that Judas understood the severity of his actions and he tried to change course, but it was too late.

“[He] saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his ind and brought back the silver, saying ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’”

They rejected his words, and he threw the money to the ground. Judas then left and hanged himself.

“delivered him to Pilate” - by delivering Jesus into the hands of Pilate his objectors were carrying out Jesus prophecy from Mk. 10:33 “saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles.”

v.2-5 - The Plan Revealed

“Pilate asked ” - As you will remember Mark is “get to the point” kind of guy. This is surely seen in Jesus’ encounter with Pilate.

Mark’s account of this scene is the least descriptive of all. In fact, he leaves a lot to the imagination, but he gave his audience all they needed to know.

When taking the other gospels into account, it seems that the religious elite were just looking for Pilate to “rubber stamp” their already decided verdict.

But, before Pilate asked Jesus a question, he asked the council, “What accusations do you bring against this man?”

Jn. 18: 29 - Pilate wanted to hear the case. He was not just going to assign guilt to Jesus without knowing why.

They respond by basically saying, “do you think we would have brought him here if he were not guilty?”

Lk 23:2 “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.””

Due to the political nature of these charges, Jesus could face death, and that is what they wanted.

“Are you the king of the Jews?” - Pilate is asking Jesus if he is really claiming to be the king of the Jews.

It would be odd for him to make this claim - the Jews were condemning him.

Pilate’s words here show that he thought this all to be ridiculous.

Jesus answers, “You have said so.”

His answer shows that he agrees with Pilate’s statement, but there is more to the story.

PARALLEL PASSAGE

Jn. 18:36-37 - Gives the explanation. Jesus says, “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Jesus answer was yes I am king of the Jews, but not in some earthly political sense. His kingdom and reign were far greater than just over one group of people.

Following his simple answer he remained silent. The chief priest accused him of many things, but he gave no further answer.

Jesus was being arrested for insurrection, but that was not his desire at all.

In fact, Jesus crime was the opposite of what he was doing. The Jews wanted a savior who would politically protect them from earthly enemies, but Jesus came to protect them from an eternal enemy.

vv. 6-15- The Plan Unfolds

Pilate seems to think this is all ridiculous, and he doesn’t really want to play a part in their deceptive plan. Jesus response to him did not seem threatening at all. In fact he is amazed at his focused silence in the face of opposition.

Jesus was more concerned with the approval of the Father, not the demands of the crowd.

PARALLEL PASSAGE - Luke 23:5-12 explains how Pilate sent Jesus to Herod when he heard he was a Galilean from Herod’s jurisdiction.

Herod was happy to see Jesus, but only to be entertained, and when Jesus didn’t do what he wanted he made fun of him and sent him back to Pilate.

v.6 - But the people were tenacious, they came to him and ask him to carry on the tradition of releasing a prisoner at the Passover.

v.7 - Mark writes that there was a man named Barabbas who was in prison. Matthew’s gospel points out that he was a notorious prisoner. .

Barabbas was being held for insurrection.

Insurrection - a violent uprising against authority

Luke shares that he was a murder, and John further explains that he was also a robber.

Barabbas was being held as a threat to the Roman government.

This was in direct contrast to Jesus who, up to this point, has been fairly passive and even didn’t want his followers to harm anyone.

It is important to see here that Jesus is being charged for the very thing that Barabbas is being detained for.

The Jews claimed that he was a threat to the state and to Caesar.

Regardless of what Barabbas had done, the people wanted him to be released.

Maybe they believed Barabbas had at least tried to do what they wanted Jesus to do by revolting against the Romans.

vv.9-10 - Pilate asks a clarifying question to, I think, point out the ridiculousness of their request.

v.9 - “Do you want me to release the King of the Jews.”

Pilate had come to the conclusion that the chief priests were envious, and that drove their demands.

Pilate knew that Jesus had influence among the common people, and that this was a problem for the influential elite.

PARALLEL PASSAGE

I have noted that I don’t believe Pilate wanted anything to do with Jesus trial, and Matthew makes it clear that his wife didn’t either.

Matthew 27:19 “while he [Pilate] was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.””

Can you imagine the tension Pilate feels here.

v. 12 - So, Pilate asked another question as he saw the crowd being worked up by the high priests.

“Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?”

The crowds response shows their true desire. They were not concerned with the release of Barabbas, but they were focused on the death of Jesus.

It seems that if the crowd would have asked, Pilate would have also released Jesus.

v.13 - “[But] They cried out, ‘Crucify him.”

v.14 - In response to the unjust demand Pilate asked his third and final question.

“Why? What evil has he done?”

“But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify him.’”

The one they expected to deliver them from the Romans was now standing in the custody of the Roman government.

Jesus had not turned out to be the king they wanted. They were now observing him to be what they though he was - weak, wounded, and alone.

v.15 - “So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.”

Ultimately justice was not Pilate’s primary concern. He was most concerned with his political position, and this pushed him to go against the advice of his wife and to even disregard his own feelings about the situation.

Scourged - This would have been a serious and embarrassing beating.

He would have been bound - bent over and tied to a post with his arms above his head to tighten the skin on his back.

He would have been whipped - the whip would have had several strands with bone attached to cut at the skin, tear into muscle, and at times expose internal organs.

Believing the people would have pity on Jesus, Some believe this was Pilate’s last effort to release him.

Pilate does what many have done down through the ages - he defends Jesus only until it becomes uncomfortable for him.

We see that Jesus is ultimately turned over to the people.

Jesus remains calm, really unmoved by what is going on around him. We have seen that his composure comes from his settled confidence in the will of the Father.

This is a great gift given to those who are followers of Jesus. You can have confidence with Christ knowing that the Father is working all things together for good, and that Jesus will return to restore all things to their created beauty.

The crowd was consumed with their desire for a bold earthly leader, Pilate was blinded by his desire to please the people, but Jesus was set on being the savior of sinners - even sinners like Barabbas.

“Pilate was not concerned about whether or not he was doing was right, but rather was it safe.”

We have been promised many things in the word of God, but safety is not one of them.

John 16:31 -33 “Jesus answered the disciples when they told him they believed he came from God, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

Like Jesus, as Christians, we can have peace in every situation knowing that Christ has overcome the world, he has done so on your behalf, and he is with you!

Calvin - “For the Son of God chose to stand bound before an earthly judge, and there to receive sentence of death, in order that you, delivered from condemnation, may not fear to approach freely the heavenly throne of God.”

John 10:10 “[Jesus] came that we may have life and have it abundantly.” He swallowed death, shame, grief, embarrassment, and sin for you and me! He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! Let’s worship him by faith today!