Sabbath: Tried and Crucified
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 14th of September 2024
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: Mark 15:1-47, Luke 13:1, Psalms 22:18, John 20:24-29, John 1:1-3, Daniel 9:24-27.
Memory Text:
“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which is translated, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ ” (Mark 15:34, NKJV).
Mark 15:1-47 is the heart of the Passion Narrative. It presents the trial of Jesus, His condemnation, the mockery by the soldiers, His crucifixion, and then His death and burial. The events in this chapter are presented in stark, crisp detail, likely because the author let the facts speak for themselves.
Throughout this chapter, irony plays an important role. Because of this, it is helpful to have a clear definition of what irony is.
Irony often contains three components: (1) two levels of meaning, (2) the two levels are in conflict or contrast to each other, and (3) someone does not see the irony and does not recognize what is happening and does not know that he or she is the one who will suffer the consequences.
This week, from the question of Pilate, “ ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ” to the mocking soldiers, the sign above the cross, and the mocking of the religious leaders, “ ‘He saved others; Himself He cannot save,’ ” to the unexpected appearance of Joseph of Arimathea, the chapter is filled with painful ironies that nevertheless reveal powerful truths about the death of Jesus and what it means.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 21.
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This week we will have ample opportunity to discuss the trials and crucifixion of Jesus. However, this morning I will limit myself to briefly summarising the political situation to understand some of the the events of Jesus trial.
At the time of Jesus' birth Jewish Palestine was ruled by Herod the Great. His father was an Edomite but had converted to to Judaism. Herod was allowed to rule Pa;estine as a client King for the Romans. He was a tyrant and died about 4BCE. After his death the kingdom was divided among his sons but there was a lot of infighting between them. Herod Antipas emerged as one of the more stable rulers and ruled Galilee with the title Tetrach. He was the ruler of that region at the time of the crucifixion.
One of the other sons, Archelaus, ruled Judea and earned the displeasure of Ceasar Augustus who replaced him with Pilate as the procurator or governor of the region.
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea at the time Jesus was crucified. He was the fifth governor of the region. Josephus claims that he ruled for about 10 years, making him one of the longest-serving governors of the region. There is a significant archaeological reference to Pilate in an inscription found in 1961 on a carved block of limestone in Caesarea Maritima. This was essentially the Roman administrative centre of Judea and Pilate probably lived there. He would have only gone to Jerusalem when necessary.
The governor's duties included appointing the high priest for the Jews. It is interesting to note that he retained Caiaphas as the high priest for his entire tenure as governor. There are indications that the Saduccees and Pilate had a rather cosy relationship. He was on less friendly terms with the Pharisees and other groups with whom there were several hostile interactions. He also was responsible for policing, collecting taxes and tributes and promoting the imperialism of Rome.
At the time of the Passover, both Pilate and Herod Antipas were visiting Jerusalem. Pilate was probably there in his role as the chief of police to ensure the Jews behaved themselves. Herod may have been there because of his Jewish connections.
Thanks Maurice for that background information. I always looked forward to reading your comments. May God continue to bless you and your ministry.
The crucifixion is the most critical incident during Jesus’s mission here on earth to save mankind. This single event stands at the heart of His mission to save mankind. This was the very moment when Jesus’s mission was accomplished. The ultimate sacrifice for the sins of mankind was paid. All of Jesus’s great works (healing, feeding multitudes, casting out demons, walking on water, teaching with authority, forgiving sin, raising the dead, turning water into wine, proclaiming the kingdom of God, and many more) here on earth could have amounted to very less without the incident of the crucifixion.
This single incident is the very heartbeat of the plan of salvation which was laid down before the foundations of the universe were put in place (Revelation 13:8, Ephesians 1:4-5, 1 Peter 1:18-20).The crucifixion vindicates prophesy in the Word of God as true and real (Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 22, Mark 8:3, 9:31,10:33-34).
The crucifixion was the only answer to the atonement of human sins. God who is all knowing and all wise (Psalm 147:5, Romans 11:33, Job 12:13) deemed the cross as the only surest way to redeem mankind to Himself. As we face our small “crucifixions”, let us remember without them our characters will remain impure for God’s kingdom. As Jesus endured the cross, so must we. "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:13, ESV). "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12, NIV).
The incident of the crucifixion reminds me of the apex of God’s love for mankind. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13, ESV). What a friend we have in Jesus! The crucifixion is a solemn reminder to us we believers that we must carefully reflect how we treat our fellow human beings. I am comforted to know that the love of God can me mine through faith in Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:1-8).
Praise be to God who reminds me that the crucifixion was not defeat but victory. Through the incident of the crucifixion, Jesus defeated the power of sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). His resurrection, which follows the crucifixion, confirms His victory and assures me of eternal life. This is our blessed hope.
Thank you for your comment it really touched my soul.
Jesus’ trial reveals the preference of unredeemed man to solidify or increase his powers by any means possible; even by accepting rebels and murderers in the effort to do so. Preferring to free a rebel and murderer, legally held in prison by authority, over the man who taught them how to live in peace even under the authority of a foreign power, says it all.
Jesus’ spiritually perceived Truth regarding life and death, freedom and bondage, could not reach these people’s heart. The kingdom He represents and invites man to live in is a spiritual kingdom in which everyone can live free from fear of oppression under any circumstances; but they could not comprehend this Truth.
Maurice points out that “the governor’s duties included appointing the High priest for the Jews” – merging state with organized religion. As long as man establishes ‘right and wrong’ by using his own five senses and the power vested in them, powers given to protect and promote the flesh, he is bound by its laws. Ultimately, though, by the Power of God, even those laws can be adjusted through His Grace by faith; but Jesus did not call on havenly powers to mitigate His suffering.
The religious, political leadership, together with the common man, all succumbed to the spirit of antichrist – reasoning to do that which seems right in their own eyes, as they are ignorant about the power of the Holy Spirit given to man. Only God can open man's eyes to understand the shortcomings of his reasoning power.
Almost 2000 years have passed since our Lord’s crucifixion, and still, so many refuse the Holy Spirit’s voice to resonate within their heart and change it to desire to live for abundant life instead of death.
Hoping to learn more this week, happy new week
Surely this is where our hope and strength is deprived from, the death of Christ for me a sinner!
Another great week of study awaits us as Bible students, and I guarantee that no matter how many times you have read, seen, or heard these stories the Holy Spirit will give you some "Gem thoughts" to ponder. I am always amazed at how that happens. It's a total "God thing". Blessings!
Keep in mind that Satan doesn't really want Jesus to go to the Cross, knowing that by Jesus doing so his dominion over mankind would be defeated. Remember when Jesus rebuked Satan for planting the idea in Peter's mind? (Mark 8:31-33).
So Satan is going to do his wicked best to try to dissuade Jesus from going to Calvary. He is going to pull out all the stops in hopes that he discourages into abandoning His Mission to save mankind.
The first hurdle has been cleared by Jesus in Gethsemane, in Him submitting his will to the Father, but many more lay in store.
If you ever question God's love for you, look at that center cross of Calvary. There written in red, are the words, "I love you!"
That sentence reminds me of a song on the subject.
Written In Red
Song by Gaither Vocal Band and Janet Paschal
In letters of crimson, God wrote His love
On the hillside so long, long ago
For you and for me Jesus died
And love's greatest story was told
"I love you, I love you"
That's what Calvary said
I love you, I love you
"I love you" written in red
Down through the ages, God wrote His love
With the same hands that suffered and bled
Giving all that He had to give
A message so easily read
"I love you, I love you"
That's what Calvary said
I love you, I love you
I love you
Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood
The blood of Jesus
"I love you, I love you"
That's what Calvary said
I love you, I love you (I love you) "I love you" written in red
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Gordon Jensen
Written In Red lyrics © Meadowgreen Music Co., Word Music, Llc