Mark15:15-39; 16:1-7

Read Mark 15:15-19. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent but attempting to satisfy the crowd he released Barabbas and gave Jesus to them after "scourging" him. Scourging is a simple word but a brutal ordeal. It was so brutal that most people did not survive it. Bits of bones and metal embedded in a leather whip, so when struck by this whip it would rip the flesh open. As we read on we see that the soldiers were mocking Jesus, their hearts were hardened and did not care what they were doing to him; the scourging was more of a diversion for them. It could get out of hand fast and get ugly, almost a mob mentality. But Jesus just takes all of it. Read Mark 15:20-21. The kind of descriptions in this account are full of detail, as if from an eye witness account. These kind of details are never present in an invented story. Read Mark 15:22-24. The "wine mixed with myrrh" was used in those days to deaden the pain, but Jesus refused to take it.

The gospels never once highlight the physcial pain of crucifixion, that was not the point. The point was the purpose of Jesus death, which was to die for our sins and be our substitute. But here lets expand on the physical portion a bit; it was overwhelming painful. Three spikes through the wrists and heels, slow suffocation, muscle spasms, and pain shooting throughout entire body. It was intended to be cruel and reserved for the worst of criminals, it was meant to be extruciating! Jesus did not die in a bed, he died on a bloody cross. The most painful of deaths. Read Mark 15:25-32. It would have been the worst thing in the world if Jesus would have came down from the cross like the chief priests were taunting him to do. If so, we would have had to die for our own sins - an eternal death. Dying on that cross was the whole reason Jesus came.

Read Mark 15:33. Imagine what that must have been like: a bright, Middle-Eastern sky, at noon, and all of sudden it turns black! People would be thinking "what's going on?" It must have been eerie and sobering. God was expressing his heart and the magnitude of this moment! It was so big, the biggest thing ever!

Read Mark 15:34. There was never a more horrifying prayer burst from a humans lips. At that moment Jesus bears our sin; ALL your sin placed on Jesus. He is then separated from the Father and the Father cannot even look upon his son. Jesus experienced real pain, he bears the guilt and shame of the world and is separated from his Father. With a closeness like they had, it would almost be unbearable.

Read Mark 15:35-38. No one takes Jesus life, he chooses to die for us. He offers his life willingly. In the gospel of John is says "It is finished," meaning sin is paid for, death is defeated, satan was sentenced, and salvation is won; all through one act! The temple curtain was meant to separate the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place and only one man could enter into that Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement. When Jesus died, God tore the curtain from top to bottom symbolizing that we could now come to him through the blood of Jesus the door to God is now open.

Read Mark 15:39. The centurion, commander of 100 men, was taking it all in. He had seen people die before, lots of men and some by his own hand. But he had never seen anyone die the way Jesus did. What did he see? He looked in Jesus eyes and probably saw peace, strength, love, forgiveness. It probably seemed like Jesus was in charge of the whole thing, like he could leave at any time but he choose not to. He did not see fear or intimidation, shame or bitterness in Jesus eyes; just love. Then the last cry came "it is finished," it probably sounded more like a roar than a cry, a shout or roar of victory. But the main thing that the centurion noticed was Jesus eyes, he couldn't get over his eyes. They were full of tender love and compassion and strength and grace.

Mark goes on to tell of the burial and resurrection. Read Mark 16:6. Jesus died, but did not stay dead. Death couldn't hold him down!!! He burst forth into victory and is alive!