Catch the Spirit of Calvary

Catch the Spirit of Calvary( Mark 15:21-39) -

Introduction The Gospel writers present the story of Calvary’s love in such a way that the reader feels uniquely present and somehow strangely responsible. For what happened that day was bigger than history. The Gospel writers put the accent not on the gore of the cross but on the eternal realities that took up time and space that day. If we discern those spiritual realities we will really catch the spirit that motivates Calvary.
I. He Refused to Be Helped so We Could Be Helped by God ( vv. 21-27). A. There were some things that God had to do by Himself He could have called 10,000 angels, but He didn’t. This emphasizes the great self-limitation of God. The subject of the sentences in this paragraph is “they.” B. There are many ironies in this paragraph: 1. He was helped by an ethnic whose agenda got interrupted (v. 21). 2. He was crucified on a skull of a hill where He would bruise the enemy’s head (v. 22). 3. He was offered a narcotic in an hour of trial, but unlike so many, He refused to take it (v. 23). 4. He was saving the world while it played a game of chance (v. 24). 5. He was crucified at an hour of prayer (v. 25). 6. He was charged with being who He was for His crime (v. 26). 7. He was crucified between two thieves, the kind of people He had spent lots of time within His ministry (v. 27).

II. He Refused to Save Himself so We Could Be Saved ( vv. 25-32). A. This wonderful truth is announced by the crowd. In words very close to Psalm 22 people shook their heads, taunted Him about the temple, cried out for Him to save Himself. Sometimes the gospel comes out of the strangest places. B. This wonderful truth is also announced by the religious leaders such as the chief priests and teachers of the law. Their mockery is indicative of their inability to see the connection between what they really see and what they are willing to believe.

III. He Refused to Forsake Us so He Was Forsaken by God ( vv. 33-36). A. Nature seemed to know that its Creator was being forsaken. Darkness from noon until 3:00 p.m. In the spring of the year? B. Jesus seemed to know He was being forsaken. In a great hour of trial, He quoted the Bible for strength and perspective. The old gospel preachers would say that God turned His back on His own Son. C. The bystanders do not seem to know what is going on. They wrongly assume that Jesus is calling for Elijah, when He really is quoting the Bible. IV. He Refused to Live so We Could Believe and Live Forever ( vv. 37-39). A. He really died. Think of it—the Son of God died. Albert Camus said, “People are never convinced of what you believe until you die.” The loud cry was a victory shout that John 19:30 records, “It is finished.” Even the temple seemed to be aware of the significance of that. B. He really was God’s Son. At least the centurion confessed this. This Gospel had begun, “The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Now to a Roman audience, a centurion gives the classic confession.
Conclusion More than an innocent man died that day. God was turning a new page in the history books. Eternal realities were taking place in the real world above us.

But he sets aside this status and submits to false accusations by the Jewish council (Mark 14:53-65), an inept trial by the Roman government (Mark 15:1-15), and death at the hands of the humanity he came to save (Mark 15:21-41). His own disciples betray (Mark 14:43-49), deny (Mark 14:66-72), and desert him (Mark 14:50-51), except for a number of the women who had supported his work all along. He takes the absolute lowest place, forsaken by God and men and women, in order to grant us eternal life. At the bitter end, he feels abandoned by God himself (Mark 15:34). Mark, alone among the Gospels, records him crying the words of Psalm 22:1, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). On the cross, Jesus’ final work is to absorb all of the world’s forsakenness. Perhaps being misunderstood, mocked, and deserted was as hard on him, as was being put to death. He was aware that his death would be overcome in a few days, yet the misunderstanding, mockery, and desertion continue to this day. Many today also feel abandoned by friends, family, society, even God. The sense of abandonment at work can feel very strong. We can be marginalized by co-workers, crushed by labor and danger, anxious about our performance, frightened by the prospect of layoffs, and made desperate by inadequate pay and meagre benefits, as was so memorably described in Studs Terkel’s book, Working. The words of Sharon Atkins, a receptionist in Terkel’s book, speak for many people. “I’d cry in the morning. I didn’t want to get up. I’d dread Fridays because Monday was always looming over me. Another five days ahead of me. There never seemed to be any end to it. Why am I doing this?”

But God’s grace overcomes even the most crushing blows of work and life for those who will accept it. God’s grace touches people from the immediate moment of Jesus’ submission, when the centurion recognizes, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” (Mark 15:39). Grace triumphs over death itself when Jesus is restored to life.

Replies

Patricia Johnson May 25, 2019 at 11:37am

But he sets aside this status and submits to false accusations by the Jewish council (Mark 14:53-65), an inept trial by the Roman government (Mark 15:1-15), and death at the hands of the humanity he came to save (Mark 15:21-41). His own disciples betray (Mark 14:43-49), deny (Mark 14:66-72), and desert him (Mark 14:50-51), except for a number of the women who had supported his work all along. He takes the absolute lowest place, forsaken by God and men and women, in order to grant us eternal life. At the bitter end, he feels abandoned by God himself (Mark 15:34). Mark, alone among the Gospels, records him crying the words of Psalm 22:1, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). On the cross, Jesus’ final work is to absorb all of the world’s forsakenness. Perhaps being misunderstood, mocked, and deserted was as hard on him, as was being put to death. He was aware that his death would be overcome in a few days, yet the misunderstanding, mockery, and desertion continue to this day. Many today also feel abandoned by friends, family, society, even God. The sense of abandonment at work can feel very strong. We can be marginalized by co-workers, crushed by labor and danger, anxious about our performance, frightened by the prospect of layoffs, and made desperate by inadequate pay and meagre benefits, as was so memorably described in Studs Terkel’s book, Working. The words of Sharon Atkins, a receptionist in Terkel’s book, speak for many people. “I’d cry in the morning. I didn’t want to get up. I’d dread Fridays because Monday was always looming over me. Another five days ahead of me. There never seemed to be any end to it. Why am I doing this?”

But God’s grace overcomes even the most crushing blows of work and life for those who will accept it. God’s grace touches people from the immediate moment of Jesus’ submission, when the centurion recognizes, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” (Mark 15:39). Grace triumphs over death itself when Jesus is restored to life.
EVANGELIST BOBIE SMITH April 7, 2018 at 2:25am

AMEN Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins. He paved a way for us to live
Apostle Trina Davis April 2, 2018 at 1:04am

Thanks be to the only wise and living God! Who was, who is and is to come... Jesus Christ my lord and savior.
Prophetess Kira Hatcher April 1, 2018 at 11:47pm

Lord I Thank you for your Son who hung and died on the cross
Pastor Robert Napper March 30, 2018 at 3:34pm

Catch the Spirit of Calvary

The spirit of God, Jesus died for us all. Praise God, this we now have access to God for ourselves. Thank God for the priest however we no longer them to pray for our sins. We can do that ourselves.
Love March 28, 2018 at 7:56pm

God loves us so much that He sent His only son to die for our sins. Jesus came walked in obedience and did not complain.
Pastor Robin Albright March 28, 2018 at 3:34pm

Amen. Powerful for God knew what we needed. God loves us enough to take us out of eternity that we may live on earth and Jesus loved us that much the He died so we can go back into eternity with everlasting life.
Prophetess Domonique Smith March 28, 2018 at 2:04pm

Thats so deep to give your only son.. Wow but thank u Jesus for saving me and my family amd love ones

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