Consider the Cross Mark 15:20-39

Sermon Text Mark 15:20-39

Consider the Cross Mark 15:20-39

1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness…

1 Corinthians 1:24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 2:6-8 “6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory…”

Mark 15:20-39 I. Consider the torment of the cross (15:20, 24-25) 20 After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him…24 And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man should take. 25 It was the third hour when they crucified Him. “excruciating” – “ex” – out of; and “cruciare” – cross literally – “out of the cross”

Isaiah 53:1-5 1 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. 3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

Why did Christ die?  Romans 5:8 we read, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  1 John 3:16 we read, “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”  1 Peter 3:18 we read, “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God…” A demonstration of the love of God for humanity!

Galatians 6:14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Mark 15:20-39 II. Consider the tragedy of the cross (15:26-32) 26 The inscription of the charge against Him read, "THE KING OF THE JEWS." 27 They crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. 28 [And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And He was numbered with transgressors."] 29 Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, "Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!" 31 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself. 32 "Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!" Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.

Mark 15:20-39 III. Consider the transfer at the cross (15:33-36) 33 When the sixth hour came, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" which is translated, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" 35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they began saying, "Behold, He is calling for Elijah." 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, "Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down."

2 Corinthians 5:21 “[God the Father] made [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in [Jesus].”

Mark 15:20-39 IV. Consider the triumph of the cross (15:37-38) 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. 38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Three Great Indications  Jesus’ death indicated the defeat of Satan – When Jesus died on the cross, His death signaled the doom of Satan’s dominion in this world (Hebrews 2:14).  Jesus’ death indicated the defeat of sin - When sin entered the world it brought with it death, devastation and damnation (Romans 5:12). For those who believe that Jesus died for them, the power and penalty of sin was forever done away by the cross (Hebrews 9:26).  Jesus’ death indicated the defeat of separation – Sin isolates. Sin is anti-social. Sin is irrational and separates the sinner from God (Isaiah 59:2).

1 Corinthians 15:57 “but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Mark 15:20-39 V. Consider the testimony of the cross (15:39) When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" 1 John 4:9-10 “9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

What Does the Cross Mean to You?  a piece of jewelry;  a religious symbol;  an amulet to ward off evil?  a stumbling block or foolishness?  meaningless and unworthy of much consideration?  Or, is it the power and wisdom of God, calling you to repent; calling you to live by grace, calling you to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?  Is the cross of Christ your boast, knowing that by it you have been crucified to the world and the world has been crucified to you so that you long to live for and love your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

Consider the Cross Mark 15:20-39