Crucified

Mark 15:20-39

  20 After they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple robe and put his clothes on him. They led him out to crucify him. 21 They forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus’s cross. He was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.
22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull). 23 They tried to give him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.
24 Then they crucified him and divided his clothes, casting lots for them to decide what each would get. 25 Now it was nine in the morning[fn] when they crucified him. 26 The inscription of the charge written against him was: The King of the Jews. 27 They crucified two criminals with him, one on his right and one on his left.
29 Those who passed by were yelling insults at him, shaking their heads, and saying, “Ha! The one who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself by coming down from the cross! ” 31 In the same way, the chief priests with the scribes were mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with him taunted him.
33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni? ” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? ”
35 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “See, he’s calling for Elijah.”
36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a stick, offered him a drink, and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down.”
37 Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite him, saw the way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God! ”

GOING DEEPER
Parallel, Related and Referenced Passages
Parallel Accounts: Matt. 27:31-54; Luke 23:26-47; John 19:16-37
 
1) THE REALITY OF THE CROSS

• Nearness: Luke 1:1–4; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8, Romans 16:13
• Details: John 19:35; Acts 26:24–26; 2 Peter 1:16
• Power: Acts 4:13–20; Acts 9:1–22; Ephesians 2:1–5

2) THE MEANING OF THE CROSS
God Keeps His Promises

• Genesis 3:15 – God's first promise of a coming Redeemer.
• Psalm 22:16–18 – Pierced hands and feet, mocked, and the casting of lots for clothing.
• Psalm 69:21 – Sour wine offered to the righteous sufferer.
• Isaiah 53:7–12 – Suffering servant counted among rebels.

He Knows Our Suffering

• Isaiah 53:3–5 – The Messiah is a man of sorrows.
• Hebrews 4:15–16 – Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses yet is without sin; we can come to Him.
• Hebrews 2:17–18 – Jesus suffered and was tempted, making Him able to help those who suffer.

He Was Cast Out So We Could Be Brought In

• Genesis 3:23–24 – Adam and Eve are driven out of Eden.
• Leviticus 16:27 – The sin offering taken outside the camp.
• Hebrews 13:11–13 – Jesus suffers outside the city to sanctify His people.
• John 1:11–12 – Though rejected by His own, Jesus gives those who receive Him the right to become children of God.
• Ephesians 2:12–13 – Those once far away are brought near through the blood of Christ.

He Bore Our Shame

• Psalm 22:6–8 – The suffering Messiah is mocked.
• Romans 10:11 – Believers will not be put to shame.
• Heb. 12:2 – Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame.
• 1 Peter 2:23 – Jesus endured insults without retaliating.

He Bore Our Judgment

• Exodus 10:21–23 – Darkness; God's judgment.
• Exodus 12:12–13 – The blood of the Passover lamb protects God's people from judgment.
• Amos 8:9 – Darkness at midday; the day of the Lord.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – God made the sinless Christ to be sin for us, that we might become
• God's righteousness in Him.

He Knows What It Is to Feel Abandoned

• Psalm 22:1 – "My God... why have you abandoned me?"
• Psalm 22:24 – God has not despised or rejected the suffering one but has heard his cry.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – Christ bears our sin on our behalf.
• Galatians 3:13 – Christ redeems us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.

 
He Opened the Way to God

• Genesis 3:24 – Cherubim guard the way into the Garden.
• Exodus 26:31–33 – The veil separates the Most Holy Place.
• Hebrews 9:6–8 – The restricted access to God's presence under the old covenant.
• Hebrews 10:19–22 – Through Jesus's blood, believers have confidence to enter God's presence; a new and living way.
• Ephesians 2:18 – Through Christ, we have access to the Father by one Spirit.

 
He Truly Is the Son of God

• Deuteronomy 21:22–23 – Cursed are those hung on a tree.
• 1 Corinthians 1:18–25 – Christ crucified is a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others, but the power and wisdom of God to those who believe.
• Galatians 3:13–14 – Christ takes the curse upon Himself; that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles.
• Philippians 2:5–11 – Jesus humbles Himself to death.
• Romans 5:8 – God demonstrates His love for us in that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

CONSIDER

1. Why does the historical reality of the cross matter to the Christian faith? What difference would it make if Jesus's death and resurrection were not true?

2. Throughout the Old Testament, God promised a suffering Messiah (Psa. 22, Isa. 53). What do these fulfilled promises teach us about God's character, His faithfulness, and His control over history?

3. Jesus experienced suffering, rejection, shame, and even the feeling of abandonment. Which of these aspects of His suffering is most meaningful to you right now? How does knowing Jesus understands change the way you face your own struggles?

4. At the cross, Jesus bore our shame and judgment so that we could be forgiven and welcomed into God's presence. Where are you still tempted to prove your worth, hide your failures, or carry shame that Christ has already borne?

5. The Roman centurion recognized Jesus as the Son of God as he witnessed His death. What does the crucifixion reveal about God’s character; His justice and love for you?

6. Jesus was cast out so that we could be brought in. Who in your life needs to experience that same kind of welcome and acceptance? What is one way you could extend it to them?