March 27, 2023

Mark 15:16-41 (HCSB)
16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the courtyard (that is, headquarters) and called the whole company together. 17 They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and put it on Him. 18 And they began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19 They kept hitting Him on the head with a reed and spitting on Him. Getting down on their knees, they were paying Him homage. 20 When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the purple robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. 21 They forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus' cross. He was Simon, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22 And they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means Skull Place). 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 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. [ 28 So the Scripture was fulfilled that says: And He was counted among outlaws. ]29 Those who passed by were yelling insults at Him, shaking their heads, and saying, "Ha! The One who would demolish the sanctuary and build 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 to one another and saying, "He saved others; 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 were taunting 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 forsaken Me? " 35 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "Look, He's calling for Elijah!" 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, offered Him a drink, and said, "Let's see if Elijah comes to take Him down!" 37 But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last. 38 Then the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "This man really was God's Son!" 40 There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When He was in Galilee, they would follow Him and help Him. Many other women had come up with Him to Jerusalem.

 Joel Robertson 
These verses contain much that can be discussed. In verses 16-21, the soldiers unwittingly proclaim who Jesus is, King. The obedience of Simon the Cyrenian to carry the Cross. We could also focus on how much prophecy is fulfilled. However, I want to focus on the Divine Will of Christ to willingly lay down His life, at the moment of His choosing, to trample death by His death so that we could be made right again with the Father. Jesus does not cry out in despair as He asks, “Why have you forsaken me?”, but fully experiences our alienation from the Father through His humanity. Jesus knows, fully understands, what it's like to be you! He gave up His life for you to be with Him forever. All He wants is for you to say yes to Him. Follow where He leads.