Sermons

Grace Under Pressure

BY THERESA MCCONNELL | APRIL 9, 2006 (PALM/PASSION SUNDAY)
Mark 15:1-47

You know what it’s like to get the end of a story and wish you’d heard it from the beginning. Those who first heard Mark's report of these events in the life of Jesus knew some background we wouldn’t normally know. Let me share some of the context of Mark’s Gospel.

During the Passover several hundred thousand people in crowded into Jerusalem.

Pilate is shown as having “fear of the people” so that even though he saw no wrong in Jesus he deferred to Roman legal system (14:2-3) “Blasphemy not capitol offense w/ Roman, so the charge was “high treason” – that’s why the we hear the charges made against Jesus change from “Messiah” (religious) term to “King of the Jews” (term sounding more like sedition to Romans). “King of the Jews” - leader of a resistance movement, a guerrilla…what it means for him to be Son of God.

Pilate served procurator of Judea AD 26-36. Historians called him “inflexible, merciless and obstinate” man who disliked the Jews and their customs.

“Yes, it is as you say” – Jesus accepts the title and puts Pilate and the Jewish high priest in the position to take responsibility for what they have said…neither of whom realize the implications of what they are saying about Jesus.

Mark's one special revelation is Pilate's realization that jealousy motivated the chief priests (15:10).

We see Jesus facing false allegations with dignity and trust in the purposes of God.

Barabbas was a genuine resistance leader, guilty of murder…In Aramaic name his name means “son of the father”.

“Flogged” – soldiers would lash a naked and bound prisoner with a leather thong into which pieces of bone had been woven. The flesh would be cut to shreds. Crucifixion was the most feared of all punishments in the first-century world. It was cruel in the extreme and totally degrading.

Vs 31- Mark’s irony in stating the truth while not understanding the accuracy of the statement… “saved others cannot save himself?”

“Curtain of the temple” – there were two curtains in the temple. Outer – separated the sanctuary from the courtyard; the inner curtain covered the Holy of Holies where only the high priest was admitted. The point is clear- that which stood between the people and God was abolished by Jesus’ death.

Salome was the wife of Zebedee and the mother of James and John (Matt 27:56)

15:42 – Day of preparation – Jesus died on Friday at 3 pm, the Sabbath began at 6 pm, after which no work could be done. Great haste was required.

15:43 Joseph of Arimathea- little known about him except that he was from a wealthy and prominent family and was a member of the Sanhedrin (supreme court of Jews). To ask for the body of Jesus was to admit allegiance to the now discredited Jesus and was potentially dangerous. Often the Romans just left the bodies hanging on the cross to be eaten by vultures, though they did grant requests by the family to be allowed to bury the person. However, the Romans almost never allowed those convicted of treason to be buried. The fact that they do so now probably means that Pilate knew Jesus was innocent of the charge of insurrection.

15:44 Often took a person 2-3 days to die from crucifixion.

15:45 Centurion confirms Jesus’ death; he was the supervisor and had expert insight into such matters.

(Summary primarily from study notes in the Serendipity Group Bible for Leaders, New Testament, pgs. 227-231and from Richard Fairchild’s web page, Sermons & Sermon - Lectionary Resources, Introduction To The Scripture For The Sixth Sunday in Lent - Year B, written by the Rev. John Shearman (jlss@sympatico.ca) of the United Church of Canada.

WHO DO WE RELATE TO IN THE GOSPEL NARRATIVE?

Where do we see ourselves? In the crowd, those who support then betray? Those who fear to be counted as his followers when it really counts? Those who watch from a distance; those who wait at the cross; those in the crowd who turn against him who have never understood?

How do we see Jesus?

As just another man – yet extraordinary in his willingness to follow God? An example for us but not so much that we should “die to self”?

As the Son of God who trusted God even when feeling isolated and alone and misunderstood by others…? One who is able to love in the most trying of circumstances?

Are we willing to walk the journey to the cross in trusting that God is intimately involved in the events of our lives, even when we do not see, hear, experience his presence?

Will we walk the way of the cross this week allowing ourselves to be transformed?

How often are we motivated to action by jealousy or pride or self-preservation?

How willing are we to be servants, humble, accepting the life of loving service called for by Jesus? The way of discipleship is the way of the cross.

What are we willing to sacrifice that he who walked the path with grace and dignity might be lifted up?

“What wondrous love is this, O my soul, o my soul? What wondrous love is this, O my soul? What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of Bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul? to bear the dreadful curse for my soul. “ (US Folk Hymn, United Methodist Hymnal, no. 292)

###