Session 7: The Cross

Session Overview

Creedal Statement

I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ
his only begotten Son our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
he descended into hell [to the dead];
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and
sits on the right hand of God
the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge
the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body; and
the life everlasting.
Amen.

Key Elements

• Key Passage - Mark 15:1–16:8
• Scripture Memory - Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Galatians 3:13
• Catechism - Q: How does Jesus rescue our life? A: Gospel.

Introduction

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

Christ by his death has provided a better place … a place more glorious than Adam’s Paradise … A place, not only built by the word of God, but cemented and prepared by the blood of Christ. By the law against sin, we were to have our bodies reduced to dust, and our souls lie under the sentence of the wrath of God. But our crucified Saviour … purchased the redemption of our body, to be evidenced by a resurrection … and a standing security of our souls in a place of bliss … As Adam brought in the empire of death, so Christ … brought in the empire of life … We lost a paradise by sin, and have gained a heaven by the cross.

There is good news for the broken, pardon for the rebellious, promise for the afflicted, and hope for the condemned. God has orchestrated a grand rescue plan to save sinful humans from eternal judgment. As humans do not deserve (and cannot earn) God’s favor, divine salvation is a pure act of God’s love, grace, and compassion. Although humans deserve everlasting punishment, God did not forsake people to inevitable ruin. Since the fall, the curse has loomed oppressively over creation, but God has overcome the curse and condemnation in the world. Internal dread and external affliction need no longer hold humanity under their tyrannical and repressive dominion. Sin, Satan, and death once held creation in their malicious grip, but Jesus has demonstrated his superior and supreme power over the forces of evil and darkness. In Christ, God has secured salvation for fallen humanity.

Divine rescue comes in the shape of a cross. An ancient instrument of death, the cross was used to torture and punish criminals. Grotesque and humiliating, death by crucifixion was a means to openly shame the guilty and publicly warn the general population about the consequences of breaking the law. At the same time, crucifixion on a cross was designed to heighten physical pain, magnify personal ignominy, and deter social defiance. To be sentenced to death on a cross was to be condemned and rejected. Amazingly, God used this cruel and brutal means of capital punishment to purchase salvation for humanity. The Bible records the true story of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, an act of atonement which achieved salvation for all who believe in him.

The narrative of Mark 15:1–16:8 is a record of Jesus’ rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection. Although Jesus lived a sinless life of full obedience to God, he was wrongly accused before religious and political leaders. Indeed, Jesus was the promised deliverer, but a capricious and volatile crowd released a known murderer and condemned innocent Jesus to death by crucifixion. All-powerful and all-sovereign, Jesus could have escaped such a painful punishment. However, his love of fallen humanity was so great that he willingly submitted to the mistreatment and misery of crucifixion. Before his crucifixion, Jesus was tortured, mocked, and humiliated by Roman soldiers. Then, he was crucified on a cross between two criminals. After he died, Jesus was wrapped in cloths and buried in a tomb. Three days later, Jesus came back to life, securing redemption for all who believe in him, conquering sin, Satan, and death.

At the center of the Christian faith is Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and his subsequent resurrection from the grave. This is God’s rescue plan to save, pardon, and redeem fallen creation. For this reason, Jesus came to earth, voluntarily laying down his life as a payment for sin and securing a decisive victory for God’s people. At the cross of Christ, fallen creation is restored, rebellious humanity is delivered, divine wrath is averted, and God’s enemies are defeated. At the cross, Christ accomplished God’s plan of redemption. Eternal destiny and present well-being are determined by one’s trust in what Christ achieved in his crucifixion and resurrection. Upon this event, all human history turns, and each human life is shaped. May we study this narrative to establish firm foundations of the Christian faith that outfit us for the life of discipleship.

Biblical Interpretation: Hearing the Word

Study the Text: The Bible is God’s inspired word to his people. Christian disciples mature in the faith when they are grounded in God’s word. In this movement, you will study the basic details of the biblical text.

Observation Questions

Read (or listen to) the whole passage of Scripture. Discuss the questions below for each section of the story. Pay attention to the details of the text to recall what the passage is saying. Use the focus verses to guide your conversation.

Storycraft

Retell the story in your own words, recounting the overall flow of the narrative, the main segments of the story, and the major developments that take place.

Narrative Elements

Story Retell

Theological Dialogue: Discussing the Plot

Explore the Text: God’s word is his trustworthy and sufficient revelation to his people. We grow as Christ’s disciples by rooting our lives in God’s unchanging truth. In this movement, you will explore vital teachings of this biblical passage.

Discussion Questions

Summarize the biblical story. As a community, discuss the following questions. Be attentive to the truths taught in this text. Use the commentary on the next pages to uncover core principles this passage teaches about the Christian faith.

Biblical Commentary

Use this commentary to help you understand the meaning of the text. Refer to the infographic on the next page to think through how narratives work.

Passage Introduction

Key Idea

Jesus rescues human sinners through his sacrificial death and victorious resurrection.

Passage Overview

The central pillar of Christianity is the gospel. Said another way, Jesus’ death and resurrection is the crux of the faith. The word “gospel” means “good news.” To enjoy the promise of Christianity, we need to understand the essence of this gospel message. The good news of Jesus is that he has accomplished salvation for sinful humans and offers this salvation freely to all who place their faith in him. Jesus suffered false accusations so that we could be free from guilt. Jesus endured humiliation so that we can be unshackled from shame. Jesus was crucified on the cross as a sufficient sacrifice for sin, appeasing God’s righteous wrath. In this act, Satan was defeated, the curse was undone, and sin was overcome. The burial of Jesus and his subsequent resurrection procure victory and triumph for all who believe in Jesus. No other means of genuine salvation exist than in Jesus’ work on the cross. His death was not an accident of human history. Instead, it was a fulfillment of God’s plan to secure eternal redemption for the lost and ultimate restoration for the fallen creation. Study the commentary below to illuminate the biblical text and learn about the world-altering and life-transforming message of salvation on the cross.

Passage Outline

The Work of Salvation on the Cross

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

We are not called to proclaim philosophy and metaphysics, but the simple gospel. Man’s fall, his need of a new birth, forgiveness through atonement, and salvation as the result of faith, these are our battle-ax and weapons of war. C. H.

Introduction

There is no hope for human salvation unless sin, Satan, and death are defeated. So severe is the human predicament that humans face divine wrath. Just and righteous, God must punish sin. Gracious and loving, God acts to save his depraved creation. All-wise and all-knowing, God designs a plan to execute his justice and express his love for fallen creation. The plan for this redemption centers upon Jesus’ work on the cross. Innocent of any wrongdoing, Jesus’ death is a suitable and sufficient sacrifice for human sin. Dying on the cross, Jesus substituted his own life for that of sinful humanity. When he died on the cross, Jesus bore God’s righteous judgment on himself so that sinful humans could experience forgiveness of their sin. In his resurrection, Jesus conquered death, enabling believers to enjoy a life of freedom, power, and newness of life. Foundational to our faith (and to the story of the world), the Bible faithfully records the events whereby God accomplished redemption for sinful humanity.

The biblical narrative of Mark 15:1–16:8 records the rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ. Tried before religious leaders, Jesus was falsely accused of wrongdoing. Rejected by his own creation (Jews and Romans alike), Jesus endured the isolation and loneliness of repudiation and abandonment. He was humiliated by a company of Roman soldiers and crucified on a cross. The long and intense pain experienced by this excruciating death was intensified by his experience of continuous mockery, ridicule, and disdain. Eventually, Jesus died on the cross and was buried in a tomb. After three days, Jesus arose from the dead. This is not an account that records the sad and unfortunate fate of a helpless victim; rather, this narrative records Jesus’ intentional and self-sacrificial achievement of salvation through his suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection.

Recounting the climactic accomplishment of divine salvation, this historical event changed the course of human history and continues to transform people throughout the world. At the cross of Christ is freedom from guilt, removal of shame, reconciliation with God, emancipation from the curse, escape from condemnation, deliverance from fear, and victory over death. When Jesus died on the cross, he brought a crushing defeat to God’s enemies: sin, Satan, and death. In short, the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ secures new life for all who surrender to Christ in genuine faith. In Christ, God offers complete salvation to you. You may be mired in sin, overcome by despair, or fearful of divine judgment, but that need not be the end of your story. At the cross and resurrection, God overcomes our human limitations and our complicity in sin, making redemption, reconciliation, and restoration freely available. Let us explore this centerpiece—a true and powerful account—of the Christian faith.

What Evil Has He Done: Sharing in Jesus’ Innocence

Biblical Narrative (Mark 15:1–15)

It was the time of Passover, the sacred Jewish feast that commemorated God’s forgiveness of his people’s sins by sacrificing a perfect lamb (cf. Mark 14:12–16). Jesus told his disciples that he himself was the ultimate sacrificial lamb (cf. 14:17–25). He also predicted that he would be rejected by those closest to him (cf. 14:26–31). What Jesus said came true. Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, betrayed Jesus to the religious authorities (cf. 14:43–50). The religious authorities rejected Jesus as the Messiah, sought false testimony against him, and wrongfully accused him of blasphemy (cf. 14:53–65). Even more, Jesus’ lead disciple, Peter, denied that he knew Jesus (cf. 14:66–72).

The religious leaders—“the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin” (15:1)—wanted to kill Jesus. As he was a threat to their positions of power and prestige, they “devised a plan” (15:1) for Jesus’ death. Consequently, the morning after Jesus’ trial before the Jewish leaders, these leaders “bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate” (15:2). At this time, Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judea. As a Roman political leader, Pilate interrogated Jesus about his identity: “Are You the King of the Jews?” (15:2). In a cryptic (yet profound) reply, Jesus answered Pilate, “You have said so” (15:2). The Jewish leaders “began to accuse Him of many things” (15:3). When given the chance to defend himself against the Jewish accusations (15:4), Jesus remained silent, much to the surprise of Pilate: “to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus made no further reply” (15:5).

Pilate could discern no legitimate reason to convict Jesus, so he tried to release him in a politically shrewd manner. Normally, around the time of the feast, Pilate followed a custom in which he asked the people to choose a prisoner to release, “a prisoner of their choosing” (15:6; cf. 15:8). Pilate set Jesus before the crowd along with Barabbas, a murderer who had led an insurrection, thinking they would choose Jesus to be released (15:7–8). Pilate “knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over” (15:10). But, when Pilate asked if they wanted him “to release to [them] the King of the Jews,” (15:9) the religious leaders incited the crowd to ask for Barabbas instead (15:11). Having nothing with which to charge Jesus legitimately, he asked the crowd what he should do with Jesus, the “King of the Jews” (15:12). The crowd shouted, “Crucify him!” (15:13). And when Pilate asked why he should be crucified (since not even Pilate could accuse him of a crime), they only “shouted all the louder” for his crucifixion (15:14). Trying to preserve his political favor, Pilate wanted “to satisfy the crowd” (15:15). As a result, “Pilate released Barabbas to them” (15:15). Then, the Roman governor “had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified” (15:15).

Biblical Principles.

Bearing Humanity’s Guilt. The opening scene of this narrative records accusations and allegations against Jesus. Importantly, the accusations against Jesus end up simultaneously demonstrating Jesus’ innocence and indicting the accusers (and even confronting our own personal guilt). The religious leaders brought many charges against Jesus (15:3), but Jesus responded in silence (15:4–5). His silence was a statement of his innocence, demonstrating that he is not subject to human judgment. Additionally, Jesus was treated like a criminal (15:1, 6) although he was innocent of wrongdoing (15:12, 14). Even Pilate’s own testimony exonerated Jesus: “What evil has He done?” (15:14). Ironically, the accusatory charge that Jesus was the King of the Jews (15:2, 9, 12) proves to be a factual and confessional statement concerning Jesus’ true identity. In the end, the guilty Barabbas (15:7, 11, 15) was released while the innocent Jesus was sentenced to crucifixion (15:9, 12–15).

Although innocent of any crime, Jesus was charged like a guilty criminal. Enduring the accusations from the religious leaders, the rejection from the crowd, and the sentence from Pilate, Jesus bore the weight of humanity’s guilt. Clearly, this scene depicts the crowd, the Jewish leaders, Barabbas, and Pilate as blameworthy. In fact, they all serve (each in their own way) as representations of guilty humanity. Culpable of sin, we hear our own voices among the demanding crowd. When we are honest, we have all contrived ways to oust Jesus as King and Lord. In efforts to prop up our fragile, self-made identities, we are no different than the envious, conniving, and flagrant Jewish leaders. Religiosity and self-righteousness can often be a contrived veil used to cover over our earned guilt and erring ways. Like Barabbas, our sentence of judgment before a holy God is deserved. Also like Barabbas, we are only released from our sentence of judgment by the exchange of Jesus’ life for our own. If we measure ourselves by this narrative, we are also like Pilate, rejecting Jesus in an effort to please people around us. By enduring accusations as one who is innocent, Jesus paid for the sin we all commit. In his trial and sentence, Jesus took on our guilt. He overcame sin, paving a path for guilty sinners to be acquitted as righteous and declared innocent, a path for all those ready and willing to surrender to him.

Reasons People Reject Jesus. In this narrative, the different responses to Jesus teach us about the nature of sin and guilt. Showing the presumption and brazenness of sin, the religious leaders “devised a plan” (15:1) that would lead to Jesus’ death. Rather than yielding to Jesus, they bound him and delivered him to Pilate (15:1), an intentional and proactive dismissal of Jesus. Exposing the depth of sin in the human heart, we learn that the sinister scheme against Jesus was fueled by envy (15:10). So intense was the self-aggrandizement and self-promotion of the Jewish leaders that they incited the crowd against Jesus (15:11). How often we too rally masses, or at least rely upon popular opinion or public consensus, to reject Jesus in order to placate our own feelings of guilt or hide from our haunting insecurities. Rather than acknowledging Jesus as King, we submit ourselves to human authorities who oppose Christ. As the crowd was easily turned against Jesus (15:11), so we are prone to the persuasion of people. Highlighting the fickleness of sin, Pilate acted against Jesus in order to please the crowd. In fact, Pilate established a custom (15:6, 8) in which he submitted to the crowd’s “choosing” (15:6). Even though he was governor, he yielded to the crowd for what he should do to Jesus (15:12). His drive to satisfy the crowd (15:15; cf. John 12:43; Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4) highlights the people-pleasing tendencies in each of us. At its root, sin multiplies when fear and trepidation of people (or other created entities) eclipse our fear and reverence of God.

With the Whole Company Together: Finding Removal from Shame

Biblical Narrative (Mark 15:16–20)

Releasing Barabbas, a murderer and insurrectionist, Pilate sentenced Jesus to crucifixion. Jesus was “flogged” (15:15) and was handed over to a company of Roman soldiers. At this time, “the soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium)” (15:16). In the palace, they “called the whole company together” (15:16). Surrounded by the Roman battalion, Jesus was mocked, ridiculed, humiliated, and shamed. Making sport of Jesus, the soldiers “dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and set it on His head” (15:17). They feigned the allegiance of a servant to a king and “began to salute Him” (15:18) with the following words: “Hail, King of the Jews” (15:18). Compounding public disgrace with physical pain, the soldiers “kept striking His head with a staff and spitting on Him” (15:19). Clearly, they intended to injure Jesus through physical abuse and to discredit him with blatant dishonor. Having no sentiment or deference for Jesus, the soldiers “knelt down and bowed before Him” (15:19). Their faux respect was grotesquely debasing. Then, this wicked band of Roman soldiers “removed the purple robe and put His own clothes back on Him” (15:20). After this episode of mockery and mistreatment, “they led Him out to crucify Him” (15:20).

Biblical Principles

Removing Human Shame. Jesus endured deep disgrace at the hands of the Roman soldiers. They embarrassed Jesus publicly in front of the Roman battalion (15:16). They shamed him with disdain by striking him and spitting on him (15:19). They mocked his identity as the true King of the Jews by clothing him in a purple robe, twisting a crown of thorns, saluting him, kneeling to him, and then stripping him of the purple cloak (15:20). In a scene that resembled a mock coronation (15:17–19) (and a mock dethronement as described in 15:20), the soldiers playfully treated Jesus as King and disparagingly deposed him before the gathered assembly.

On his way to the cross, the fact that Jesus was scornfully harassed reveals another key feature of his redemptive work. Jesus was humiliated in ways he did not deserve in order to heal the shame we all experience. Jesus endured abuse at the hands of crude, barbaric soldiers to bring healing to the deep wounds of disgrace that we bear. From the time of our entrance into this broken world, our sinful condition has meant an existence of ignominy and indignity. Although humans were created as royal and honorable, sin has corrupted the noble image of God in humanity. Sinful in thought, deed, and intent, humanity lives in a shroud of shame. Enveloped and infected with shame, we failingly apply man-made remedies that only disappoint. No amount of hiding, covering, pretending, ignoring, or embracing can treat our shameful condition. Only by allowing Jesus to bear our shame in our place can we ever find healing from the deep wounds that mark us. The cross of Christ is a divine instrument to remove the sinful stains of shame and disgrace.

Exposing False Loyalty. The actions of the soldiers expose the danger of feigned loyalty to Christ. Whereas the Jewish leaders and the crowd rejected Jesus with emphatic and explicit contempt, the soldiers spurned Jesus with an external show of pretended loyalty. The soldiers dressed Jesus as king (15:17). They put a crown (of thorns) on his head (15:17). In a show of external respect, the soldiers saluted Jesus (15:18). Even more, they spoke an enthusiastic exclamation reserved for royalty: “Hail, King of the Jews” (15:18). Playing the part, the Roman battalion even knelt down before Jesus (15:19). Taken by themselves, these actions represent respect, loyalty, submission, and celebration of a king. Clearly, however, the soldiers did not intend to display genuine fidelity to Jesus. Hiding in a crowd of fellow scoffers—“the whole company” (15:16)—the soldiers offered external displays of fealty that were insincere, disingenuous, and superficial. To the contrary, those who want the removal of shame and disgrace must genuinely yield to Christ in full and complete submission, naming him as the exclusive King of their lives.

The Cross of Christ: Finding Comfort in Jesus’ Passion

Biblical Narrative (Mark 15:21–32)

After Jesus’ humiliating episode with the Roman soldiers, he was led away to be crucified (15:15, 20). Too weak to carry his own cross, “the soldiers forced [Simon of Cyrene] to carry the cross of Jesus” (15:21). Jesus was brought to Golgotha—“which means The Place of the Skull” (15:22)—where he was crucified on the cross that Simon carried (15:21–24). Crucifixion involved nailing a person to a wooden cross, which resulted in a slow and grueling death by asphyxiation (i.e., suffocation). It was a form of execution reserved for criminals. In fact, Jesus was crucified between two criminals (15:27). Refusing a drink of “wine mixed with myrrh” (15:23), Jesus was crucified on the cross (15:24) at the third hour (9:00 am) (15:25).

They divided up his clothes (15:24) and wrote a sign above his head that intended to state his crime, “The King of the Jews” (15:26). In contempt, people passed by and “heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads” (15:29). These expressions of disdain and degradation were verbally exclaimed by the taunt, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, come down from the cross and save Yourself!” (15:29–30). The Jewish leaders mocked Jesus, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself!” (15:31–32). Even one of the criminals at his side reviled Jesus: “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” (15:32). So broad and expansive was Jesus’ rejection that “even those who were crucified with Him berated Him” (15:32).

Biblical Principles

Enduring Pain and Suffering. Jesus endured excruciating agony on the cross. In his crucifixion, Jesus endured the pain of physical suffering, emotional hostility, religious mockery, and mental anguish. Physically nailed to the cross, materially exploited by his perpetrators, religiously charged by the spiritual leaders, and verbally derided by passersby, the crucified Jesus was the object of abuse and revilement. In fact, Jesus’ tribulation on the cross lasted six agonizing hours (from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm). The length of Jesus’ crucifixion is matched by its intensity. Refusing to take any drink to numb the pain (15:23), Jesus endured the torment of the cross, feeling its pain to the fullest.

Importantly, this painful ordeal of his crucifixion was not just something Jesus was undergoing―it was something Jesus was accomplishing. The crucifixion of Jesus was crucial for God’s redemptive purposes. By enduring superlative pain in his crucifixion, Jesus overcame the pain, suffering, and affliction we all experience. Jesus was tortured, ridiculed, dismissed, and exploited. In this way, Jesus alone can empathize with all our suffering because he experienced it to a full extent. Jesus can strengthen us in all kinds of suffering because he endured it personally. But more than all this, Jesus can heal our greatest torments and tortures because his death on the cross was a means of uprooting the very source of all pain and suffering: sin itself.

True Discipleship. Clear examples of opportunists, the soldiers gambled for Jesus’ clothes (15:24). For them, material gain was a greater priority than attention to Christ. In contempt, abuse, and unbelief, those who passed by the site of the crucifixion announced their dismissal of Jesus’ words (15:29–30). The Jewish leaders mocked Jesus, ignorant that his death on the cross was a means of saving sinful humanity (15:31–32). Jesus’ unwillingness to save himself was a means of his securing salvation for others. The robbers crucified with Jesus also berated Jesus (15:27, 32). They reviled Jesus and assumed that he deserved the treatment he was receiving. Unlike the criminals, Simon of Cyrene carried the cross of Christ to Golgotha (15:21). A model of discipleship, Simon entered into the painful ordeal of Christ. He identified himself with Jesus and demonstrated the cross-bearing identity of followers of Christ. Like Simon, those who find salvation in Jesus offer their lives for his service; deny their own comforts with selfless sacrifice; take up their cross daily; and endure suffering in faith, joy, and hope.

A Loud Cry: Confessing Jesus’ Conquest Over the Curse

Biblical Narrative (Mark 15:33–41)

Jesus’ suffering, disgrace, and rejection were a painful (yet necessary) prelude to his crucifixion. Salvation could not be achieved by suffering and abuse alone. Since he was a sacrifice for sinners, Jesus’ death on the cross was necessary for humanity’s salvation. Jesus was crucified around 9:00 am (15:25) and by noon that same day darkness had filled the land (15:33). Three hours later, at 3:00 pm, Jesus cried out in a loud voice: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (15:34). Some thought he was calling Elijah the prophet (15:35). One person even put a sponge of sour wine on a reed for him to drink (15:36). Not too long after this, “Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last” (15:37).

When Jesus died, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (15:38). A Roman soldier, a “centurion” (15:39), was at the site of the crucifixion. When he “saw how [Jesus] had breathed His last,” he declared a strong statement: “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (15:39). From a distance, many women disciples were observing the events (15:40–41). Not only were “Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome” (15:40) there, but “there were many other women who had come up to Jerusalem with Him” (15:41).

Biblical Principles

Undoing the Curse and Condemnation. Jesus’ gruesome and grueling death was an assault against sin and the curse. Jesus endured condemnation on the cross (although he was innocent of wrongdoing) in order to secure salvation for humanity. On the cross, Jesus willingly experienced separation from God (15:34). God the Father gave up his Son to the crushing weight of sin, bearing the full weight of divine wrath for those under the curse. At the time of his death, Jesus “let out a loud cry” (15:37), a climactic expression of what it meant to undergo the full weight of God’s judgment and to conquer sin. Jesus did not die with a feeble groan but with a triumphant shout. In fact, Jesus had conquered sin and curse such that the temple veil was torn from top to bottom (15:38). Jesus’ death on the cross removed the barriers that separated God from men. So convincing was Jesus’ death that a Roman centurion came to faith in Christ (15:39). While the soldiers are consistently opposed to Jesus in the narrative (15:16–20, 21–24), the moment of Jesus’ death had transformed this centurion, bringing him to a confession of faith. On the cross, Jesus took the sentence, absorbed the wrath, underwent the judgment, and endured the condemnation we all deserve.

Innocent, yet bearing the condemnation in the place of humans, Jesus opened the way for humans to experience reconciliation with God. As sinners who face condemnation, we can find acceptance with God in Jesus. The corrupting and cumbersome weight of the curse can be lifted from our lives and the cosmos because of Jesus’ sufficient sacrifice on the cross. On the cross, Jesus’ separation from his Father resulted in people discovering a restored relationship with God. That Jesus endured judgment in our place means that those who believe in Jesus find freedom from divine punishment.

Confession of Faith. While some waited to see if Elijah would come to save Jesus (15:36), the Roman centurion expressed a newfound conviction that Jesus was who he said he was: the Son of God (15:39). Added to this, those women who followed Jesus during his life were faithfully present during the time of his death (15:40–41). Bearing the weight of divine condemnation and curse in his own body, Jesus defeated sin and death. Jesus’ death on the cross demands a response. The manner and achievement of his death on the cross forbids people to remain neutral regarding Jesus’ identity. The examples of the Roman centurion and the faithful women summon us to place our faith in Christ and follow him wherever he leads, even to a hill of crucifixion. If we crown Jesus as King of our lives, he opens up the way for us to be reconciled to God and to enjoy freedom from death.

Placed in a Tomb: Tasting Jesus’ Defeat of Death

Biblical Narrative (Mark 15:42–47)

Evening had arrived, and it was “the day before the Sabbath” (15:42). A respected Jewish leader named Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body so he could prepare it for burial (15:43). This was a bold act on Joseph’s part (15:43). Joseph was “a prominent Council” and he was “waiting for the kingdom of God” (15:43). Pilate was “surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead” (15:44) and confirmed with the Roman centurion that this was the case. After learning that Jesus had in fact already died, Pilate “granted the body to Joseph” (15:45). Joseph wrapped Jesus’ body in linens and laid him in a tomb that was cut out of a rock; then he rolled a large stone to close the entrance of the tomb (15:46). Two of the women, Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James, saw where Jesus was buried (15:47).

Biblical Principle

Death of Death. As the cross was an instrument of execution, Jesus experienced death and the grave. Jesus was delivered to death willingly, of his own accord. Judas delivered Jesus in his betrayal (cf. 14:10–11). The religious leaders delivered Jesus in their accusations (15:1, 10). Pilate delivered Jesus in his people-pleasing acquiescence (15:15). However, in the end, Jesus voluntarily gave up his life to die for each of us. Jesus’ death is a factual historical event, verified by Pilate (15:44–45), Joseph (15:43, 46), and Jesus’ disciples (15:47). That Jesus’ death occurred on “Preparation Day” (15:42) is significant. For Jews, the Day of Preparation was the “day before the Sabbath” (15:42). This day represented the final day of the work week. In Jewish practice, these final activities of preparation were followed by Sabbath rest. To a greater degree, Jesus’ crucifixion (and eventual resurrection) represented the successful accomplishment of the divine work of salvation that would bring promised rest to God’s people.

As Joseph, the Jewish leader who was “waiting for the kingdom of God” (15:43), handled Jesus’ body with care and respect, so too should we honor and revere the crucified Lord. His death is a kingdom work of redemption. In his crucifixion, Jesus experienced actual death, a dreadful enemy of humanity! Buried in a borrowed tomb, Jesus took death with him to the grave. Humans use medicine to postpone death, use amusement to ignore the imminence of death, or live in consuming fear of death. Only Jesus, crucified and buried, can procure our true escape from death.

Bold Faith and Kingdom Hope. Joseph demonstrated his faithfulness by boldly asking Pilate for Jesus’ body (15:43). This boldness came from his full interest and hope in God’s coming kingdom (15:43). Acting in stark contrast to the other Jewish leaders (15:1, 3, 11, 31–32), Joseph was not afraid to associate himself with Christ. Solidarity with Christ could easily mean receiving treatment similar to that which Jesus received. Nevertheless, Joseph’s display of discipleship is admirable and imitable. He represents a bold faith and a kingdom hope that center on Jesus. Those who demonstrate such a full surrender to the crucified Christ also get to embrace him as their risen Lord.

At the Break of Day: Basking in Jesus’ Victorious Resurrection

Biblical Narrative (Mark 16:1–8)

After the Sabbath, three of Jesus’ female followers, “Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome,” bought spices to anoint Jesus’ body (16:1). At daybreak on Sunday morning—“very early on the first day of the week,” these women went to the tomb to properly anoint Jesus’ body for burial (16:2). They were concerned that they would not be able to get to his body because of the large stone rolled in front of the entrance. They asked each other, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?” (16:3). When they arrived at the tomb, they were met with a surprise: the large stone that had covered the entrance to the tomb had already been rolled away (16:4). This was a powerful and divine intervention since the stone “was extremely large” (16:4). Consequently, the women “entered the tomb” and “were alarmed” when they saw an angelic figure, dressed in white, sitting there (16:5).

The angelic figure brought the women a word of comfort: “Do not be alarmed” (16:6). He revealed God’s supreme knowledge by announcing why the women were there: “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified” (16:6). Explaining Jesus’ absence, the angel told the women, “He has risen! He is not here!” (16:6). In fact, the angel provided evidence of Jesus’ resurrection by instructing them to “see the place where they put Him” (16:6) and that it was empty. The angel instructed the women to tell Peter and the other disciples about this news, assuring them that Jesus would meet them in Galilee (16:7). In response, “the women left the tomb and ran away, trembling and bewildered” (16:8). They did not expect this scene at the tomb. In fact, they were so filled with fear that “they did not say a word to anyone” (16:8).

Biblical Principles

Victory Over Death. Jesus’ resurrection proved he conquered death. Rising from the dead, Jesus brought to fruition the promise of new life. He overcame humanity’s bondage to sin and death. His victory over death gives us hope for the same. The scene opens at the dawn of a new day and the start of a new week (16:2), signifying the ushering in of a new age made possible by Christ’s redemptive work in his crucifixion and resurrection. The completed work of Jesus’ crucifixion on Preparation Day (15:42), and the subsequent rest on the day of Sabbath, eventually brought about a whole new day for a whole new creation—hence, “the first day of the week” (16:2)—ushered in by Jesus’ resurrection. So real and substantive was this new creation that these events happened “just after sunrise” (16:2). When the women arrived at the tomb, they discovered Jesus was not there, but had risen from the dead (16:6). The women’s eyewitness testimony of an empty tomb and Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to his disciples (16:7) authenticated the validity of Jesus’ resurrection and substantiated the efficacy of his crucifixion. Indeed, Jesus’ crucifixion is only effective for salvation because of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. In this miraculous and momentous event, Jesus won victory over death, sin, and Satan. For death to be defeated in the resurrection means no enemy can successfully oppose Jesus or his faithful followers.

Surprised by the Resurrection. As the women traveled to Jesus’ grave, they questioned whether they could get into the tomb (16:3). Overwhelmed by their weakness, the women needed to experience a power that could overcome human limitations and apparent impossibilities. Truly, the women were met with a surprise when they arrived at the tomb: the stone had been rolled away, an angelic messenger awaited them, and the tomb was empty (16:4–6). Although the angel offered a word of comfort (16:6), the women were gripped with fear—“trembling and bewildered” (16:8; cf. 16:5). The angel told the women to tell the other disciples about Jesus’ resurrection (16:6), but they (initially) “did not say a word to anyone” (16:8). The angel predicted that Jesus would meet them in Galilee (16:7). At first, the women “left the tomb and ran away” (16:8). Like these women, our initial response to Jesus’ resurrection may be fear, confusion, or hesitation. In fact, we may have doubt or skepticism about the claim itself. While this biblical account verifies the resurrection, it also honestly describes surprising effects. So astonishing is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead that those who believe in Christ inherit new and empowered life. Anchored to the resurrection of Christ, faithful disciples enjoy victory over death, triumph over Satan, power over sin, peace over fear, and honor over shame. The surprise of Jesus’ resurrection is simultaneously an anchor of hope, a comfort to the weak, and a motivation for all believers to proclaim Jesus to the nations. As the resurrection of Jesus ushers in a new creation, so do believers in Christ get to participate in this new life in Christ.

Conclusion

Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, trial, scourging, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection tell the story of how God rescues human sinners. Jesus was wrongfully accused of crimes, but in being falsely accused, Jesus paid for our sinful guilt. Jesus was mocked, ridiculed, and reviled. As such, Jesus alone could remove our shame. Jesus endured great pain and suffering despite being innocent of wrongdoing. In his suffering, Jesus secured healing for broken humanity. Crucified on the cross, Jesus absorbed God’s wrath like a cursed and condemned criminal, taking on himself the punishment we deserve. Patiently enduring divine judgment, Jesus emancipated us from the curse and condemnation! Jesus willingly died by crucifixion, although he could have removed himself from the cross. A sacrifice and substitute, his death paid the price of sin. Miraculously, Jesus arose from the dead, conquering sin, Satan, and death.

On the surface, many might see Jesus’ crucifixion as a story of death and defeat. After all, Jesus was rejected by the Jews, betrayed by one of his disciples, exchanged for an insurrectionist, and vehemently dismissed by his own creation. Nevertheless, Jesus’ death was anything but defeat. Instead, his death was the defeat of death. His crucifixion conquered sin. His suffering enabled a remedy for human guilt. His rejection secured reconciliation with God. And, Jesus’ resurrection proved once and for all that he is the rightful King of the cosmos, with no enemy too strong—not even Satan or death—to usurp his eternal throne. Indeed, Jesus was (and is) the King of the Jews and more: the King over life, the King over death, the King over kings, the King over sin, and the King over the whole world.

Session Synopsis

SESSION 7 SYNOPSIS
The Cross, Resurrection, and Salvation	In this passage, we learn about Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. This narrative records Jesus’ false accusations, public rejection, humiliating mistreatment, painful crucifixion, agonizing death, and eventual burial. Jesus was not forcibly killed. He voluntarily gave up his life as a sacrifice and substitute to save sinful humanity. This was a part of God’s sovereign and gracious plan. After three days, Jesus miraculously came back to life. His resurrection is proof, vindication, and authentication of his identity and saving work. Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection bring freedom from guilt, shame, curse, pain, condemnation, and death for all who believe in him. A summary of this story’s principles is outlined below.
Freedom from Guilt	Jesus was innocent of all evil (15:9, 12–14), but he was falsely accused of all kinds of wrongdoing (15:3–4). Jesus confessed his true identity (15:2) but did not defend himself against the untrue accusations (15:5). Jesus bore guilt for crimes he did not commit so that he could let guilty sinners be released from their guilt (15:6–15).
Cure from Shame	Jesus was mocked, ridiculed, and humiliated by a battalion of Roman soldiers (15:16–20). Although he was (and is) truly the King of the Jews (15:18), the Romans did not treat him as such. Jesus was dishonored and disgraced so that he could cure humanity from its shame.
End to Pain	Jesus was brutally beaten (15:19), scourged (15:15), and crucified (15:13–15, 20). His crucifixion was painful physically (15:23–25), emotionally (15:26, 30), relationally (15:27–32), and spiritually (15:26, 31–32). Jesus endured excruciating agony in order to bring a full and final end to pain and suffering (15:21–32).
Curse	Jesus died on the cross (15:37). This time of crucifixion was a time of darkness (15:33), rejection (15:34), and judgment (15:35–36). Jesus’ death on the cross was a means to bring an end to the curse that plagued humanity and the world. God poured out his righteous wrath and judgment on his Son, Jesus. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, the barrier between God and man has been removed for all who believe in him (15:38).
Death	Jesus willingly gave up his life to save humanity. His death and burial were authenticated by Pilate (15:44–45), Joseph (15:43, 46), and Jesus’ disciples (15:47). His death ushered in a promise of rest and relief from death (15:42). Jesus endured death so that those who believe in him can live in victory over death.
Resurrection	After three days, Jesus arose from the dead (16:6). His resurrection was a miraculous victory over death and an undeniable authentication of his identity (16:2–5, 7). Jesus’ resurrection brings hope of a new creation and new life (16:1–2).
Right Responses to Jesus	Many people responded to Jesus in wrongful ways: the Jewish leaders envied and mocked him (15:1–4, 9–10, 31–32); Pilate aimed to please the people (15:12–15); the Roman soldiers humiliated and exploited him (15:16–20); passersby scoffed and derided him (15:29–30); and the robbers reviled him (15:27, 32). In contrast, many people respond favorably to Jesus: Simon of Cyrene diligently carried his cross (15:21); the Roman centurion truthfully confessed his identity (15:39); the women who followed him were faithfully devoted to him (15:40–41, 16:1–2); and Joseph of Arimathea respected and reverenced him (15:42–46). This passage calls us to place our faith in Jesus as Savior for our sins.

Personal Reflection: Entering the Story

Apply the Text: The word of God is binding and authoritative, the only reliable guide for faith and godliness. True disciples submit themselves to God’s word. In this movement, you will apply God’s word to your lives.

Reflection Questions

Encourage one person to share a testimony about how this story has impacted them so far. Use the reflection questions to examine your life in light of this biblical passage.

Spiritual Practice

Ministry Practice: Rehearsing the Script

Minister the Text: God’s word is living and active. Through God’s word, the Christian community is edified. In this movement, you will utilize the biblical passage to minister to other believers and build them up in their faith.

Application Questions

Look at the infographic below. Use the questions to think about how to minister this text to other believers.

Missional Outreach: Publicizing the Truth

Witness the Text: The Bible is a message of God’s gracious salvation to the world. In word and deed, God’s people proclaim the good news of the gospel. In this movement, you will use this biblical passage to reach out to unbelievers.

Strategy Questions

Reflect on the infographic below. Consider how you can use this passage to witness to the surrounding world. Use the suggested ideas to prime your imagination. Then, put together a plan to share this passage with unbelievers, Afterward, reflect on this mission experience.