Mark Sermon Outline Week 31

Intro/Welcome

Good Morning

Name

Welcome and Online

Gospel of Mark

Intro

Today we will talk about the single most important event in the history of the world.

The entire book has been leading to this

It is the great climatic ending

The hero dies — Jesus goes to the Cross and is executed between two criminals.

an event that has haunted, convicted, blessed, confused, Saved, or condemned everyone who is has ever lived

Never a group of people come into a week with such excitement and anticipation and end with such utter disappointment and disillusionment

Jesus enters Jerusalem a King and dies as a crucified criminal

The burning question today is, in fact the burning question for all history/eternity is…Why?

The Question: Why did Jesus have to die?

We will see Three Reasons in our text today.

To Follow the Father’s Plan / Decree

To Testify To The Truth

To Give His Life as a Ransom For our Sin / The Fathers Pleasure / Delight / Joy

Three Scenes

We are going to look at three scenes to illustrate these points:

Gethsemane

The Trial

The Crucifixion

Bible

We’ll be in Mark 14:32-15:47.

Go there in your Bible

Let’s ask the Lord to minister to us / come in power

Pray

Isaiah 61:1–4 (CSB)

The Spirit of the Lord God is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives

and freedom to the prisoners;

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of our God’s vengeance;

to comfort all who mourn,

3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion;

to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,

festive oil instead of mourning,

and splendid clothes instead of despair.

And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord to glorify him.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins;

they will restore the former devastations;

they will renew the ruined cities,

the devastations of many generations.

Scene 1: Gethsemane

Text: Mark 14:32-52.

Mark 14:32–34 (CSB)

32 Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he told his disciples,

“Sit here while I pray.”

33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.

34 He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death.

Remain here and stay awake.”

Luke 22:44 (CSB)

44 Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently,

and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.

The Prayer

Mark 14:35–36 (CSB)

35 He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

36 And he said, “Abba, Father!

All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me.

Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.”

God, the Father is silent

Psalm 22:1–2 (CSB)

1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Why are you so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning?

2 My God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, by night, yet I have no rest.

It has begun.

Luke 22:43 (CSB)

43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.

He prays for hours

Have you ever prayed for hours?

He goes and prays like this two more times a total of three.

The Arrest

Mark 14:41 (CSB)

41 Then he came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come.

See, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Mark 14:43–49 (CSB)

43 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived.

With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.

44 His betrayer had given them a signal. “The one I kiss,” he said, “he’s the one; arrest him and take him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.

46 They took hold of him and arrested him.

47 One of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear.

48 Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal, to capture me? 49 Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple, and you didn’t arrest me.

But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”

Reason #1: The Father’s Plan

Jesus has to die b/c it was the father’s will/plan

Jesus always followed the Fathers Plan

Mark 14:35–36 (CSB)

35 He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

36 And he said, “Abba, Father!

All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me.

Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.”

The Scriptures must be fulfilled:

This is another way of saying the Father’s Plans

Which Scriptures?

We will see some of them today.

Isaiah 53:10 (ESV)

10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;

he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt,

he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;

the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

It wasn’t a surprise, it was the plan

it was always the plan

Application

Jesus always followed the Father’s Plan.

even when he didn't’ want to

even when it would cost him everything.

Jesus not just our messiah, but our model

The process of discipleship is to make us more like him.

Do we? Do you?

will we follow Gods plan, even when we don’t understand it?

Even when we don’t want to?

Even when it will cost us?

Jesus trusted the fathers plan, do we trust His plan?

So often it comes down to this question of trust

are you learning to trust the fathers plan?

My ear ache

blowing up a balloon in my ear

jabbing with ice pick

my response — trusting the Lord more.

I’ll tel you when I know

are you learning to trust the fathers plan?

Scene 2: The Trial / The Court

Text: Mark 14:43-15:16.

Mark 14:53 (CSB)

53 They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes assembled.

False Testimony

Mark 14:55–59 (CSB)

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they could not find any.

56 For many were giving false testimony against him, and the testimonies did not agree.

57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, stating,

58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another not made by hands.’ ”

59 Yet their testimony did not agree even on this.

It’s not going well so far

It feels somewhat staged.

But they do not have a case yet.

Maybe Jesus will incriminate Himself!?

The High Priest

Mark 14:60–61 (CSB)

60 Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?”

61 But he kept silent and did not answer.

Jesus doesn’t need to answer the lies

He only needs to speak the truth

Isaiah 53:7–8 (CSB)

7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth.

Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth.

8 He was taken away because of oppression and judgment...

Jesus confesses the Truth

Mark 14:61–62 (CSB)

61 ...Again the high priest questioned him,

“Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 “I am,” said Jesus,

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

This is the only clear confession that Jesus makes that he is in fact the Messiah, the Son of God, the Son of Man

Psalm 110:1 (CSB)

1 This is the declaration of the Lord to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”

Daniel 7:13-14 (CSB)

13 I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him.

14 He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.

Jesus has only told the TRUTH

that is it

What will it cost Him?

The Sentence

Mark 14:63-64 (CSB)

63 Then the high priest tore his robes and said,

“Why do we still need witnesses?

64 You have heard the blasphemy.

What is your decision?”

They all condemned him as deserving death.

Sanhedrin — like Senate and Supreme Court Justices Rolled into one:

Judge, jury — executioner they are going to need Rome

Pilate (Mark 15:1-)

Mark 15:1–2 (CSB)

1 As soon as it was morning, having held a meeting with the elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin, the chief priests tied Jesus up, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.

2 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” (You are saying so)

Mark 15:3–5 (CSB)

3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate questioned him again, “Aren’t you going to answer? Look how many things they are accusing you of!”

5 But Jesus still did not answer, and so Pilate was amazed.

John 18:33–38 (CSB)

33 Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34

Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?”

35 “I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”

36 “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied.

“I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this:

to testify to the truth.

Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

38 “What is truth?” said Pilate. ...

Barrabas

Mark 15:6–15 (CSB)

6 At the festival Pilate used to release for the people a prisoner whom they requested.

7 There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion.

8 The crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do for them as was his custom.

Was this those sympathetic to Jesus? Hoping for his release?

9 Pilate answered them, “Do you want me to release the king of the Jews for you?”

10 For he knew it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed him over.

11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.

12 Pilate asked them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call the king of the Jews?”

13 Again they shouted, “Crucify him!”

14 Pilate said to them, “Why? What has he done wrong?”

But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!”

15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them; and after having Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified.

Reason #2: The Truth

The second reason Jesus had to die was to tell the truth

the truth about who He was

and the truth about who we are / who they were

The Religious Leaders

Those with Political Power

The Mob

The Crowds

All Jesus did was speak the truth.

Jesus has told the truth about himself

and thus revealed the truth about the RL’s

They truly don’t know the God they claim to serve

Jesus tells the truth about us.

Application

What truth needs to be revealed in your life?

The most important question you will ever answer is who is Jesus?

and why did he die?

His death reveals the truth about sin and sinners

that we need a savior

They we all have condemned Jesus to die

Where do you need to tell the truth?

Is it about sin?

Secondary Application

are you willing to tell the truth?

even if it cost you

about Jesus? About yourslf?

friend’s dillema

telling the truth may cost him his job

all Jesus did was testify to the truth and it cost him, got him killed

But why did he have to die?

Scene 3: Humiliation and Crucifixion

Text: Mark 15:16-47.

But why did he have to die?

Reason #3: Ransom

Mark 10:45 (CSB)

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The truth is that we needed saving from our Sin

Jesus came to pay the price

What did it cost him?

Humiliation

Crucifixion / Execution

The Cost: Mocking and Beating

Mark 14:65 (CSB)

65 Then some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to beat him, saying, “Prophesy!” The temple servants also took him and slapped him.

Then he is handed over the Roman soldiers for their amusement.

Mark 15:16–20 (CSB)

16 The soldiers led him away into the palace (that is, the governor’s residence) and called the whole company together.

17 They dressed him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and put it on him.

18 And they began to salute him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19

They were hitting him on the head with a stick and spitting on him.

Getting down on their knees, they were paying him homage.

20 After they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple robe and put his clothes on him.

They led him out to crucify him.

Sit with this

Crucified

Mark 15:21–27 (CSB)

21 They forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus’s cross. He was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.

22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull).

23 They tried to give him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.

24 Then they crucified him

and divided his clothes, casting lots for them to decide what each would get.

25 Now it was nine in the morning when they crucified him. (9AM)

26 The inscription of the charge written against him was: The King of the Jews.

27 They crucified two criminals with him, one on his right and one on his left.

The Blood of Jesus

A man is betrayed and beaten

blood flows from his mouth & nose.

scourged with a flagrum

BLED PROFUSELY from his open wounds

crown of thorns

gouging his skull causing deep lacerations which would bleed, blinding his eyes with red

SEVEN INCH IRON Spikes pounded

splashing blood…flowing FREELY from the punctures wounds.

HUNG upon rugged and splintery cross

labored for each breath would bleed extensively staining the wooden cross red.

Jesus would have hung over a POOL of his own BLOOD.

Finally, the 12” blade of spear is thrust up under his rib cage puncturing his heart sack from which FLOW water and blood.

Mocking on the Cross

Mark 15:29–32 (CSB)

29 Those who passed by were yelling insults at him, shaking their heads, and saying,

“Ha! The one who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself by coming down from the cross!”

31 In the same way, the chief priests with the scribes were mocking him among themselves and saying,

“He saved others, but he cannot save himself! 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe.”

Even those who were crucified with him taunted him.

Psalm 22:7–8 (CSB)

7 Everyone who sees me mocks me; they sneer and shake their heads:

8 “He relies on the Lord; let him save him; let the Lord rescue him, since he takes pleasure in him.”

On the Cross

Mark 15:33–38 (CSB)

33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.

3 Hours on the Cross

34 And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Psalm 22:1 (CSB)

1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Why are you so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning?

35 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “See, he’s calling for Elijah.”

36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a stick, offered him a drink, and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down.”

One final insult

The Death of Jesus

37 Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed his last.

38 Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

John 19:30 (CSB)

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.”

Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.

Luke 23:46 (CSB)

46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice,

“Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.”

Saying this, he breathed his last.

It would have taken enormous will and strength to cry out on the cross

death was by asphyxiation,

that is they died b/c they could not bear the pain to push up and breathe again.

This last cry was significant — it was all Jesus has left.

Reason 3: The Forgiveness of Sins (The Gospel)

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (CSB)

3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

2 Corinthians 5:21 (CSB)

21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The Great Exchange — Barabbas for Jesus

Billy Graham for Serial Killer

The Deeper Why

But why?

Why did Jesus go through all of that?

You still haven’t really answered the question

He died for sin but why?

why would he do that?

Isaiah 53:10 (NAS)

10But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief;

If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring,

He will prolong His days,

And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.

Isaiah writes that the “delight” of God will prosper in the hand of Christ (53:10).

The word is also used in reference to that in which God finds delight. (TWOT)

What is God’s delight? His joy? his pleasure? What is his plan all about?

YOU are the reason Christ had to die

YOU are the reason Christ chose to die

b/c GOD LOVES YOU

single most powerful animating force is the universe is Gods Love

he loves you and wants to love others thru you

John 3:16 (CSB)

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Don’t you see?

It was always about you and me

God made you, God wants you to be with Him

We ran away but he made a way

The man left his wife

to pick up his crying son

this was the heart / reason for Gods plan

this is the deepest truth to be testified

this is the deepest reason of why Jesus died

its what the cross is all about

God’s love demonstrated for all time

Have you received God’s love for you in Jesus Christ?

The forgiveness of Sin that you might be reconciled to God

If NOT do it TODAY!

If you’ve forgotten remember TODAY

Responses

Mark 15:38 (CSB)

39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite him, saw the way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Mark 15:40–41 (CSB)

40 There were also women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women followed him and took care of him. Many other women had come up with him to Jerusalem.

Closing Prayer

On Crucifixion

This would have been common place in their day, With no need to explain it

but in ours we have lost the HORROR of the Cross, as we have also lost the horror of our sin

The most horrific, despicable, shameful and agonizing form of death.

Invented by the Persians but perfected by the Romans

Cicero - “The most cruel and disgusting punishment”

“Decent Roman citizens should even think about crucifixion let alone speak of it.”

Jewish Historian Josephus “the most wretched of deaths”

Roman citizens were exempt from crucifixion except for the most heinous crime of treason

Reserved for the lowest of society

So horrendous that we had to invent a name for it “excruciating” meaning “from the cross”

Additionally, Almost always men, because couldn’t see the sight of agony on a woman's face

Furthermore, done in public.

Public shame and exposure

Not done in obscurity but at the parking lot at Publix or Walmart

Or along the 408 corridor

Altogether an incredibly painful and shaming experience

PROCESS:

Criminal would be flogged or scourged by a flagrum (cat of nine tales)

Consisted of several leather thongs of different lengths.

Tied to these leather thongs were small iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones.

The victim was stripped of his clothing and his hands were tied above him to a post.

The back, legs and buttocks would then be flogged until the person collapsed.

With the back and legs thus torn open there would be extensive blood loss.

This blood loss from the flogging often determined how long it took the crucified person to die on the cross.

Some died from flogging

JESUS couldn’t even CARRY HIS CROSS which as NEXT STEP

Criminals would carry the 75-125 lb crossbar to the place of their execution publicly through the streets

Criminal would be given a drink of wine mixed with myrrh (gall) as required by law.

This was intended to be mild narcotic that would deaden the pain.

It is significant that Jesus refused this drink

Criminal was then NAILED to the CROSS with 7” iron spikes through his wrists and feet.

DEATH

Then the real torture would ensure

Person labored for each breath against searing pain having to push himself up on his impaled ankles to get a breath

A person could suffer for days

There the crucified would hang, naked, the object of jeering and ridicule, insects landing in their mouth, eyes, and open wounds, and unable to remove them, exposed to the elements, unable to eat or drink.

On the cross every breath would be an agonizing affair and finally in combination with exhaustion would lead to asphyxiation

The legs of the crucified were broken often out of "mercy."

Without the support of their legs, the crucified were unable to raise up their bodies, which in turn made it impossible for them to exhale properly thus greatly speeding up death, often within minutes.