Holy WeekSample

Mark 15 details the darkest moment in human history: the crucifixion and death of Jesus. In the hours leading up to his death, let’s look at what this passage tells us about the emotional, physical, and spiritual battles that Jesus faced in these last hours. The chief priests, scribes, and elders delivered Jesus to Pilate and verse 3 tells us that they “accused him of many things.” Jesus was unjustly tried and sentenced, yet when Pilate asked him if he had any defense, we are told in verse 4 that “Jesus still made no reply.”

The crowd became riotous as they shouted “Crucify him!” Consider that he could see and hear hundreds (if not thousands) of people chanting and yelling as they rejected him and demanded his death. Then, as he’s turned over and steps even closer to his death, we are given details of how he was mocked first by the soldiers (v. 20) and then by the priests and scribes (v. 31).

Can you imagine the emotional pain and turmoil that he felt as he was charged for crimes he did not commit and as he endured ridicule, insults, and cruelty from an unruly crowd full of people that he was dying to save? Yet through it all, he maintained silence and dignity. Even this was a fulfillment of prophecy as we are told in Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth…”

If the emotional pain wasn’t enough, Jesus endured extreme physical pain in these last hours. Before Jesus was sent to be crucified, we are told that he was “scourged”. This process is so grueling and involves so much loss of blood, that its intent is to leave the victim just short of collapse and death. We know that Jesus is so physically weak at this point that he was unable to carry his own cross (v. 21).

We are told in verse 23 that he was offered wine mixed with myrrh. This concoction served as a type of narcotic to decrease sensitivity to the excruciating pain, but Jesus refused. Mark gives us very few details of the actual crucifixion. This is probably because crucifixion was such a cruel and heinous punishment that no explanation was needed. What we need to know is that it was one of the most excruciating and agonizing ways to die meant for the most evil of criminals.

In his 33 years on earth, Jesus had experienced physical and emotional suffering, but he had never experienced the spiritual suffering associated with separation from God the Father. After hours of enduring the physical pain of hanging on the cross, and the emotional pain of the mocking and jeers of the crowd beneath him, darkness covers the land. These hours were most likely the most painful of all for Jesus. Pastor and commentator David Guzik says that it’s in these hours that “Jesus not only endured thewithdrawal of the Father’s fellowship, but also the actual outpouring of the Father’swrath upon Him as a substitute for sinful humanity.” Jesus literally endured the weight of the sin of the world during those hours.

Jesus chose to endure the emotional pains of being sentenced for a crime he didn’t commit. Jesus chose to endure the full physical impact of death on the cross. Jesus chose to feel the spiritual pain of being forsaken by the Father. And why? So that we wouldn’t ever have to feel that separation. 1 Peter 2:24 says,“‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’”

It’s true that this was the darkest day in human history. Spend some time thinking about how physically, emotionally and spiritually painful that day was for Jesus…and then spend some time thanking him for bearing those pains on your behalf because it is by his wounds you have been healed.

1. The words “crucify him” changed the course of history. What do you think motivated the crowd to demand Jesus’ death?
2. Jesus cried out in Mark 15:34 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus’ agony did not overcome his faith that God was still in control. How do you respond when you feel like God has forgotten you?
3. What do you think is the significance that the veil was torn from top to bottom in Mark 15:38?

Did You Know?

We are told in Mark 15:39 that “When the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in his way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’”

This centurion had had a front row seat to many people being crucified. So, what was different about Jesus’ death? Verse 37 tells us that “Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.” This was unheard of for a victim of crucifixion. The fact that Jesus possessed enough strength to elicit a cry moments before his death was proof enough for this centurion to be convinced that Jesus was the son of God. God sovereignly used Jesus’ final breath to draw this guard into relationship with himself!