The Gospel of Mark – Part 51

The Crucifixion – Mark 15:21-32

Mosaic Rockford – Dave Spooner – Sept 13th, 2020

Intro:

We are now at the point of the story where Jesus is crucified on the cross. He is betrayed, bloodied, and beaten. He has been falsely accused, denied, and condemned, yet He continues to walk according to the will of the Father, and He continues to minister until the very end. In this message, we are going to see Jesus fulfilling the scriptures, warning the weeping, forgiving the ignorant, saving the criminal, and providing for His family as He continues to receive the judgment of God for the sins of the world.   

Fulfilling the scriptures

This event of the crucifixion was described and prophesied in many places in the scripture—none of them as vivid as we read in Psalm 22. We are going to read the first 18 verses of this psalm together, and I want you to keep in mind the details of this psalm as we compare them to what is recorded about the death of Jesus—forsaken by God. 

Ps 22 ESV

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. 10 On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.

12 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.

16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—17 I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

Notice the details of this psalm and now notice the details of Christ’s crucifixion: 

Mark 15:21-32 ESV

And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the Father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 22 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

Actual people and places: Simon of Cyrene, Father of Alexander and Rufus (Rom. 16:13).Golgotha, the place of the skull, was outside the city and was more than likely not a hill but a place of crucifixion (good evidence it is at the church of the holy sepu