Hey everyone!! It’s been a long time!! Things have gotten so busy at our house. First, a dear friend died and then my two children got sick. It took my son a long time to get over it. But, I am finally back!! Praise the Lord! Well, let’s jump right in–Mark Chapter 15.
Jesus Before Pilate: Very early in the morning–all the ones who were against Jesus bound him and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned Jesus. Jesus only answered one question. Pilate asked him if he was the “King of the Jews” and Jesus replied, “Yes, it is as you say.” He asked him to respond to the things they are accusing you of. Jesus remained silent and Pilate was amazed! There was a custom during the Feast to release a prisoner at the people’s request. The people requested that Pilate release Barabbas, a killer, instead of Jesus because the chief priests stirring up the crowd. Then, Pilate asked what he should do with Jesus. The crowd shouted, “Crucify Him!” (This just gives me chills). So, Pilate released Barabbas and had Jesus flogged, and handed over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus: The soldiers led Jesus away into the Palace and put a purple robe on him, make a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and began to make fun of him. Then, they took the robe off him and put his normal clothes on him and let him out to crucify him.
The Crucifixion: Simon from Cyrene was forced to carry Jesus’ cross. They took Jesus to Golgotha (means place of the skull). They offered him wine mixed with myrrh and Jesus did not take it. And they crucified him. They cast lots to see who would get Jesus’ clothing. It was during the third hour when they crucified him. The charge against him read: “The King of the Jews”. They crucified two robbers with him, one on each side. Many hurled insults at Jesus. They told him to save himself if he was really the King of the Jews. But, Jesus knew what he had to do.
The Death of Jesus: At the sixth hour, darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out, “Eloi Eloi, lama sabachthani”–which means, My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Those standing around said, “Listen, he is calling Elijah.” One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” the man said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
The Burial of Jesus: It was Preparation Day, the day before the Sabbath. Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised the Jesus was dead. He gave Jesus’ body to Joseph. So, Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. (in Matthew Chapter 27, we learn that they were guards placed outside the tomb to keep watch, because Jesus said he would rise again!!!)
“Have you forsaken me?!” What a question. Forsaken means to abandon. So, I leave this question with you for today….Have you forsaken Jesus?!
