Mark 15:25-26 It was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
 
THE LORD God reveals himself through many different signs. There are two powerful sings in this passage.
   The first sign is Jesus’ suffering. This fulfills the many prophecies that the Jews’ Messiah will suffer. Stop then, and consider Jesus’ suffering to this point of this horrible day.
   The third hour is 9 am. For about six hours Jesus encountered his suffering: Judas’ betrayal, Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, two “trials” at the houses of the high priests Annas and then Caiaphas (John 18), Peter’s denial, Pilate’s complacency, Herod’s ridicule (Luke 23:7-12), the Romans’ lashings, the painful crown of thorns, and the brutal walk to Golgotha tell the physical horror story. He will be on the cross for another 6 hours.    
   Then God gave a second sign. This one came from Pilate. We remember he had submitted to the crowd’s demands. It seems he wanted to put his own mark on Jesus’ death, so he ordered a sign THE KING OF THE JEWS be nailed to the top of the cross. All nearby and those passing by would see the sign. How is this really God’s sign? First it was written in Greek, Latin and Hebrew for Jews and Gentiles to read. This is essential to the coming gospel evangelism. The first Christians can tell the story of Jesus crucified, dead, buried and ascended to heaven. There will be some who witnessed Jesus’ death or remember the sign on the cross. This is eyewitness evidence the King of the Jews is the Christ to save the world.  
    We go back to Jesus’ birth and remember wise men came to Jerusalem asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2) Now God answered the question all Israel had asked for centuries. In Peter’s sermon at Pentecost he could faithfully confirm the King of the Jews is the Messiah they had awaited: Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”  
   Glory to God we now know Jesus is more than King of the Jews. The apostle Paul taught us to know the King of the Jews is the King of Kings: 1 Timothy 6:13 And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate…15 For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
   Pilate wrote that sign to mock Jesus and to mock the Jews. But God who uses all things to his good turned the mockery into worship as King Jesus has become the confession of all true believers.
      From eternity past, God had planned all the details of that day to point to eternity future. Be confident in God’s plans for your life. Trust his purpose is for your eternal good. Look for  the signs of his providence over your life. Allow him to turn evil to good.    

Mark 15:22-24 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
 
THE Bible reveals Satan’s many attempts to turn mankind’s heart from our Holy Creator. Satan attacked in Eden. The battle raged in Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. God fought back with the Great Flood to purify the earth. But still Noah and his sons carried Adam’s sin. The encounter grew more fierce with the sin at Babel. God continued to fight the war. He called Abraham to promise his offspring would one day bless the nations. Israel was born through Isaac and Jacob. But Satan seemed to destroy the promise in Israel. In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. (Judges 21:25)
   Very many times Israel rejected God’s spiritual presence in Israel. And then they rejected his physical presence, even as Jesus repeatedly displayed God’s glory with his  preaching and miracles. Then the terrible day came. Evil-hearted men, full of rebellion committed the worst sin of at Golgotha. It seemed Satan could claim the final victory over the LORD.
   Yet, at this darkest hour is the beginning of the end of Satan’s rule over the earth. And they crucified him, is the climax of God’s war against his adversary. The cross released God’s weapons in a new promise to mankind. The Spirit began to direct Satan’s destruction. Paul teaches us these weapons are powerful and ready for our use: 2 Corinthians 6:1 As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain…4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left.
   Because Jesus submitted to the cross, your faith in him will overcome trouble. Knowing his teachings, you will gain wisdom, patience and kindness to become pure in thoughts and deeds. Jesus’ death and resurrection has unleashed a Spirit-centered love. Right, effective talk comes to you by God’s power. God’s Word becomes your righteous weapons when you speak truth in all matters.
   God promised Satan in Genesis 3:15c “He (the Savior) will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Satan struck Jesus’ body. But now God has struck Satan’s head – his authority. In this troubled world we must gather and be trained in God’s weapons. They are his weapons of victory.
    

Mark 15:21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.
 
THERE was Simon from Cyrene, a city of northern Africa populated with many Jews. He had likely come for the Passover Feast. Simon and possibly his sons Rufus and Alexander were going about their business when suddenly they encounter Jesus, carrying the cross’ crossbeam toward Golgotha. The beam weighed about 100 pounds! The beaten condemned man is very weak. He needs help. So the Roman executioners forced Simon to carry the crossbeam. In his incarnation, the Lord, who is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble needed Simon’s help to complete his mission to be the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
   How did Simon’s sudden call to help the Christ impact his life? Apparently he became a Christian, and his sons and wife followed after him. Mark names his sons Rufus and Alexander because evidence is they became Jesus followers. Paul mentioned Rufus and his mother in Romans 16:13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
   God’s pattern is to call his chosen out of the crowd, isn’t it? He has a plan to put you into the center of the drama called daily life. When you proclaim him “Lord” he helps you step from the crowd to be his helper to expand the gospel: Mark 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
   This is God’s call to commitment, even as he knows it is too heavy for you alone. The opposition is strong. Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
   But Jesus promises his strength will empower us to completion of our work. John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever.
When you are saved in the power of Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, the Spirit will be your Helper to conquer evil and welcome God’s righteousness.
   Simon’s life changed when he encountered the cross. What difference does Jesus make in your life?
 

Mark 15:15-20 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. 16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
 
LET’S note the order of Jesus’ humiliation and suffering. 1) Pilate released the murderer Barabbas instead of the Lord of life. The crowd favored death. 2) Jesus was flogged – brutally lashed with a 3-pronged whip to tear at his skin. 3) A company of soldiers, estimated at 200, gathered to mock Jesus. With a purple robe the soldiers mocked any claim Jesus was king, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.  4) The soldiers set a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head to increase his agony. We can understand these thorns represent God’s curse on mankind: Genesis 3:17 cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you.
   We continue: 5) The physical violence continued. Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. 6) After this brutal physical and emotional assault, they led him out to crucify him. As was customary with condemned men, Jesus was tortured and weakened near to death before the cross’ first spike touched his skin.
   This is the depth of Jesus’ love. Again and again they beat and mutilated him. How great is the Father’s love to send the Son, so he word became flesh and make his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14
   With grace and truth, Jesus completed the work the Father gave him to do (from John 17:4). That’s why the apostles could preach. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Time to Stand   
 
Mark 15:12-14 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. 13 “Crucify him!” they shouted. 14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 
 
THE crowd had no reason to kill Jesus. They were in such a frenzy they only knew to shout what the ruling Jews had instructed. Mindless in their obedience to evil, the crowd’s loud voice overwhelmed Pilate’s sense of justice. He knew this was wrong. He wanted desperately to free Jesus. But the crowd kept shouting…and shouting.  
   We can lose heart when evil’s voice keeps shouting its demands. The church has often been attacked in recent years with the world’s loud condemnation that we are an irrelevant, narrow-minded people. The Bible is “hate-speech” because it defines certain lifestyles as sin. Countries pass laws to restrict preaching and teaching the Bible. Some cities even outlaw silent prayer! The anti-God people want to crucify the Lord’s church to silence the Living Word forever. What is the church’s response?
   As the crowd shouted to condemn Jesus that day, there was also a silent crowd in Jerusalem. They were the ones who had gone ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9) Where were their shouts for Jesus in Pilate’s court? Had their allegiance to Hosanna in the highest become an embarrassment? Had they only claimed Hosanna for a brief moment of celebration? When the opposition roared, it seems they quickly dispersed into fearful hiding.
   The disciples’ voices were missing that day, too. Didn’t they want to testify to Jesus’ wondrous works? Were they unwilling to defend the one who had rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” (Mark 4:39) What had happened to silence those who announced, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16)
   Our answer to Jesus’ condemnation can be, “It was God’s will.” This was the working out of God’s plan to send Jesus to the cross. This had to happen to fulfill God’s promise to mankind.
   But within this drama, we as Jesus’ church today can learn a lesson about being his voice. The church has been in this battle since the Day of Pentecost that began the church. Even those of us who live free of physical persecution prefer to have a “quiet faith” while the crowds shout to destroy Jesus’ church.
   This is not God’s will. His will is that his church make his name know to the nations. When opposition begins to shout, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” the Lord commands you to put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)
   When we call Jesus, “My Lord and Savior.” we must defend his gospel. It is the message of your salvation. Hold fast to it. Be sure no one keeps you quiet.

Mark 15:6-11 Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. 9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.  
 
YOU can understand Pilate’s very uncomfortable circumstance. Likely, you’ve been in a situation where you must make a decision you want to avoid. Whatever you do will cause someone to be unhappy.
   That’s where Pilate found himself that dreadful morning. Pilate wanted to be politically correct. He didn’t want to offend the Jews. He didn’t want to seem weak to the Romans.
   Then Pilate tried to solve the  problem with the Jews’ custom to release one man during the Passover. He offered Jesus to the crowd. Instead, the crowd chose the terrorist Barabbas. A leader who wants to appease everyone with, “I’ll do whatever makes you happy.” is at the mercy of those who shout the loudest.
   In contrast, the Bible gives many lessons on God-centered, “Whatever Leadership”. Paul reveals one lesson in Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. This is the fundamental understanding that all your thoughts and actions must be ordered and rooted in the gospel. Jesus did not come to please all with, “Whatever  you want!” He came to draw the line on sin and salvation. Sometimes we forget Jesus’ rules because we’re busy doing whatever we like.
   Paul also taught the church that whatever they do, they must put Jesus first: Philippians 3:7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. And he spurred them on to faithful living: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.  
   And Paul wrote nothing must bar forgiveness: Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
   Jesus wants you to be faithful and true, whatever you do: Mark 4:22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.
   Being a Christian is being a Gospel strengthened “whatever leader”.   

Mark 15:1-5 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”  5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. 
 
THE ruling Jews had reached a decision. John 18 tells us they had decided to put Jesus to death. But they didn’t want to do it themselves. Under Moses’ law, one guilty of blasphemy was to be stoned. The Jews later would do this to Stephen (Acts 7), the church’s first martyr. But they didn’t want to stone Jesus.
   No, the Jews wanted Rome to be responsible for Jesus’ death. They wanted no blame for an innocent man’s death. Are you amazed Jesus, the Living Word, kept silent?
   Was Jesus’ silence a resignation to the events because he knows his destiny is the cross? Was he thinking, “Why bother? The Father’s will is that I go to the cross. So I’ll just keep quiet. I’d hate to be set free if my mission is to die.”
   If Jesus had thought that, he would have been a self-serving fatalist. Such thoughts point to one’s own glory, and in essence say, “See how good I am to suffer.” Jesus in all righteousness humbly submitted to God’s divine plan. Jesus would reveal God’s glory through his suffering, death and resurrection.
   If we read this as a fiction book, we are sure the hero will find a way to escape the trap. Perhaps he finds an ally in Pilate, and the Roman governor will release him. If it were fiction, the evil Jews would be the ones who would die, and Jesus would lead Jerusalem into freedom.
   But this is God’s true story. The Son of God must die, so an uncountable number of people will be rescued from sin into Jesus’ eternal freedom.  
   God’s complete story tells us that because of Jesus’ submission, one day Jesus will come with a loud voice like a trumpet (Revelation 1:10). And the angels will declare: Revelation 11:15 “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our LORD and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
   You may wonder, “Why is God silent?” as you await an answer to prayer or resolution to a very hard circumstance. God’s story continually tells us to do as Jesus. Honor, obey and love the LORD. Trust he has written your story that you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:6c)
           

Mark 14:67-72 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
 
GOD was using Satan to sift the head-strong Peter. Peter’s first denial is a simple, “I don’t know or don’t understand what you’re talking about.” But his fury grows with his third response. Peter began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” Peter, in effect, was saying, “May God strike me dead if I’m lying.”
   But strong words do not change a lie to truth. And the truth is the Spirit quickly convicted Peter of his sin. At the rooster’s crow, he broke down and wept. At that moment, Peter’s restoration and healing began.
   Peter had demonstrated he was unwilling to fully accept Jesus’ teachings and prophecies. Several times Peter needed to say, “Yes, Lord.” and allow Jesus’ words to settle into his spirit, so he would submit to Jesus. When the rooster crowed, Peter’s fear of the servants’ accusations turned to despair when he felt God’s accusing finger on him.  
   When we know we have broken God’s law we will either justify or mourn our behavior. To justify our actions is to place our will above God’s. Peter had done this when he rejected Jesus’ warning, “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today – yes, tonight – before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” (Mark 14:30) His emphatic denial was a willful rebellion against God.
   But now Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” With a love for Jesus in his heart, he broke down and wept. Peter’s deep mourning echoes the cry throughout Scripture, from God’s chosen leaders who have recognized their rebellion: 2 Samuel 12:13a Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”    
   Now Peter is ready to become Jesus’ true disciple. The Lord has opened his mind to understand the consequences of disowning Jesus’ teachings. He is now ready to own – to receive and keep – the Lord’s will for his life. He will live in the security of the Lord’s great promise: 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
 
What Do You Think? It seems if one knows very little of the Bible, he knows about this pivotal moment in Peter’s life. For some reason we seem to focus on the man’s failure’s. Perhaps it gives ease to our own shortcomings. Or perhaps this assures us God will not abandon his own, even as we so deeply sin.

Mark 14:63-66 (Caiaphas) the high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
 
JESUS has declared he is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One. Caiaphas’ response is not to bow down and worship the LORD of Hosts. Instead, he tears his clothes to demonstrate he separates himself from Jesus and his words. God has called his people to come to him. Instead the Jews’ highest official in the temple has followed the path of his rebellious ancestors. God’s house had no one to lead the people to God. Instead, Caiaphas’ condemnation, “Blasphemy!”  turns the officials to brutally assault the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  
   It is difficult to imagine such a violent reaction against Jesus. He had not threatened their lives. They had no fear of death or injury at the hands of this one man. He had told Peter to put down his sword. And Matthew tells us Jesus promised his submission to the authorities when he told the arresting guards, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53)
   As molten lava beneath a straining volcano, violence against the Holy God is an eruption of the sinful heart.
   The Bible is very clear that violence is a murderous sin. The first sin caused God to kill animals to provide clothing for Adam and Eve in their shame. Then Cain killed Abel, and death became the fruit of this blasphemy against God’s laws.
   Jesus’ abuse at the Jews’ hands is a picture of his church battling the world. Our Lord prepared his disciples for persecution: Luke 12:11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” The Spirit would give them the words to say to their accusers. Those words would not always protect them from suffering and death. But their words would honor and worship the Christ, the Son of the Living God. The persecutions and accusations have raged against God and his servants from that day in the high priest’s courtyard. The opposition will continue to the Day Jesus returns in glory.
   Paul writes a profound warning to Timothy regarding the spiritual war that rages against Jesus’ church: 2 Timothy 3:2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the form of religion but denying its power. Avoid these people!
   Let’s examine our lives to know what guides our relationship with Jesus. May we have a loving heart for our Lord that honors him with our words and way of life.
 
Remember: By his grace, God sent his Son into the violence to end the violence in your life. 

Mark 14:55-61a The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61a But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
 
DO you wonder why Jesus didn’t speak to defend himself? Let’s consider this: Have you ever spoken plainly and truthfully about something, and no one believed you? Perhaps you have repeatedly attempted to counsel someone to overcome a problem. They have asked for help. But they have not taken your advice to heart. What did you do? Likely, you stopped talking. More words were fruitless.
   Jesus had come to preach the fruit of the Kingdom of God, but the majority of the ruling Jews rejected all he had said. From the first time Jesus entered Jerusalem, their sole purpose was to kill him. Jesus was essentially done speaking to them because they had never listened to him.
   Once again, we stop to remember who controls these events. The LORD God Almighty is directing the persecution against Jesus, so that Jesus will ultimately be glorified in his resurrection. Jesus waits to give the one answer that will cause his persecutors to act.
 
The Son of Man Speaks
 
Mark 14:61b-62 Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
 
Jesus’ first answer is, “I am.” He reveals the absolute truth that he is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One. Jesus’ accusers know he is claiming to be the Son of God, who will establish his throne on earth.
   The Jews should have been overjoyed. Through the prophet Daniel, God had told the Jews such a Messiah would appear: Daniel 7:13 “I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
    The Jews could not accept this. They pretended to want to know, but they only wanted a reason to kill him.   
   When you open your Bible or hear a sermon, and the Spirit tells you something you don’t want to hear, remember who is talking. Pray for a listening heart. Welcome God’s truth that will draw you closer to the Christ, the Son of the Living God.