Mark Chapter 15

As we’ve watched this “highlights reel” of Jesus’ life and ministry, we have been brought to this tragic moment in time. The trial, mocking and physical death of Jesus. If this were an actual movie, I’d be covering my eyes. How would you react?

The events in this chapter are real, poignant, and powerful. The pain, punishment, and persecution belonged to me, and to you. That is what makes picturing this scene so crushing. But, beyond the brutality and violence we need to explore Jesus’ responses:

When questioned by Pilate, Jesus said, “You have said it.”
When accused by the priests, Jesus said, NOTHING.
When He was mocked by the soldiers, Jesus did, NOTHING.
As Jesus hung on the cross, He felt separation from God (for the first and only time throughout eternity)!

“I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

The only place Jesus experienced the absence of the presence of God was the time He spent on the cross. If that truth cannot break through our rough exteriors, try this one: By His submission to death on the cross, Jesus shouted through all time and space, “You and I are worth it!”

Don’t accept the enemy’s lies any longer, because in the Kingdom of God you have immeasurable value!

“This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns. O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord, or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins.” (‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

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