Revelations of the Cross

Revelations of the Cross | Following the Servant, Mark 15:21-32

“I could never myself believe in God if it were not for the cross. In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I turn to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross, nails through hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn-pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged in God-forsaken darkness. That is the God for me. He set aside his immunity to pain. He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears, and death.”                                                                                           -John Stott

Of the four gospel accounts of Christ’s Crucifixion, Mark’s is the shortest.  Mark invites us to contemplate Jesus’ substitutionary death as divine judgment for our sin.  It will humble us because nothing less than the torture and murder of God’s own Son exposes the seriousness and the depth of our rebellion against God.  As we reflect on the meaning of all this, we are moved to grow in our trusting dependence and faithful devotion to God. 

1. The cross communicates (vv. 21-24)

John 19:19

Romans 16:13

1 Corinthians 1:23

“He creates the universe, already foreseeing—or should we say “seeing”? There are no tenses in God—the buzzing cloud of flies about the cross, the flayed back pressed against the uneven stake, the nails driven through the medial nerves, the repeated incipient suffocation as the body droops, the repeated torture of back and arms as it is time after time, for breath’s sake hitched up. If I may dare the biological image, God is a “host” who deliberately creates His own parasites; causes us to be that we may exploit and “take advantage of” Him. Herein is love. This is the diagram of Love Himself, the inventor of all loves.”              -C. S. Lewis, “The Four Loves”

reveals the love of God as nothing else in the universe could!

Jesus forces us into an decision.

2. The cross communicates (vv. 25, 26)

John 19:19–22

Matthew 2:2

John 12:13

John 18:36, 37

Revelation 19:12–16

Jesus rules from .

Jesus on the cross reveals His .

Freedom is not the right to do what you want, but the power to do .

John 8:31-32

3. The cross communicates (vv. 27-32)

Luke 22:37

Mark 15:28

You have to expect people to you if you’re a Christian.

Daily Mediations

Memory verse: “It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.”                                                                                      Mark 15:25, 26

Monday

Read Mark 15:21-32.  Why did Jesus not carry the cross Himself?  See Mark 15:21.   

Simon’s encounter with Jesus was very unusual; how did you first “encounter Christ”?

When have you ever experienced apparently “random” events in your life, that upon later reflection showed God’s sovereign will being worked out in you?

Tuesday

Read Mark 15:21-32.  According to 15:23, what offer of help did Jesus refuse?

What emotions do you think Jesus felt as He was led away and crucified?

Wednesday

Read Mark 15:21-32.  In 15:26, what was significant about the notice that was placed on the cross above Jesus?

Why do you think Jesus refused to accept a drink that could deaden His pain?

Thursday

Read Mark 15:21-32. Who was crucified with Jesus?  See 15:27.

What kind of suffering did Jesus endure for you?

Friday

Read Mark 15:21-32.  In 15:29 and 30, how did the people insult Jesus when He was on the cross?

Why is this tragic story about Christ called “good news”?

Saturday

Read Mark 15:21-32.  What challenge did Jesus ignore in 15:31, 32?

What emotions do you feel when you think about the crucifixion of Christ?