In this episode we see the final drama in Jesus’ earthly life, as he keeps his agreement with his father to give his life for the salvation of humankind. Jesus single-minded devotion to the purpose of God saw him condemned by Pilate, scourged and mocked by the soldiers, executed on a Roman cross, and abandoned by all around him. This obedience to his calling came at the cost of excruciating pain, vile mockery, cowardly abandonment and unprecedented separation from his Father. Amazingly, he did all this for our benefit. He desperately wanted to pay the price for our forgiveness so that we could come into right relationship with God.
00:00 Opening comments
02:17 Jesus condemned by Pilate (15:1-15)
13:18 Jesus mocked by the soldiers (15:16-20)
17:00 Jesus crucified alone (Mark 15:21-39)
35:13 Closing comments
Study Questions for Mark 15:1-39
1. What insight into Pilate’s character do you see in this story (vv. 1-15)?
2. How does the release of Barabbas in exchange for Jesus parallel our relationship with Jesus’ death (v. 15)?
3. What do you think you would have done in Pilate’s place? In Barabbas’ place? In the soldier’s place?
4. Why is Simon needed to carry Jesus’ cross (v. 21)? How might this have affected him?
5. What kind of people were usually crucified (v. 27)? How is Jesus like them? Unlike them?
6. What irony do you see in the official posted charge for Jesus’ death (v. 25)? In the places occupied by the robbers (see 10:37)? In the call for Jesus to save himself and come down from the cross (v. 30, 32)?
7. What caused Jesus separation from his father (v. 34)? What does this say about our part in his crucifixion?
8. What was the significance of the torn temple curtain (v. 38)? What does that mean for our relationship with God?
I am not releasing new episodes during the Christmas holidays. I will return on January 12 with the first episode in our second season on the early chapters of Genesis. I would love to have you join me.
Episodes released every two weeks on Monday
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