Mark 15 - The Irony of the Cross
Key Verses of the Day
9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. 13 “Crucify him!” they shouted. 14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Commentary
To say that there is a lot of irony in this passage is an understatement.
Irony #1 - Pilate knew Jesus was innocent and didn't want to be a part of this proceeding. He knew that these leaders were jealous of Jesus, because the crowds were all going over to him. Jesus threatened their power and control over the people.
It was a strange scene: a cruel, ruthless Roman governor trying to win the life of a miracle-working Jew against the strenuous efforts of both the Jewish leaders and the crowd. - Guzik
Irony #2 - Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was declared guilty, and a known murderer was set free. It is a perfect illustration of the gospel. Jesus paid a debt he didn't owe, for a man who owed a debt he could not pay.
Irony #3 - Though the chief priests stirred up the crowd, the crowd were the ones who cried over and over, "Crucify Him, Crucify Him." Remember crucifixion was reserved for the worst and most deadly criminals. Jesus had done nothing wrong, but he was paying the highest price one could pay in the Roman legal system. Remember all of the miracles Jesus had done for so many people in the plain of these people who screamed "Crucify Him!" on Good Friday"
We will start the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday next week. As we move to Holy Week, and then Good Friday, we will sing the hymn we always do on Good Friday, "Were you there when they crucified my Lord."
Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)" is an African American spiritual that uses an introspective, rhetorical question to invite listeners into a personal encounter with the Passion of Christ. The song removes the distance of time and geography, asking the singer to metaphorically stand at the foot of the cross. This "anamnesis" (remembering) prompts the believer to recognize their own personal connection to Jesus' sacrifice. - Discipleship Ministries
The refrain says, "Sometimes it causes me tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they crucified my Lord?"
Application for Today:
1. Though you probably haven't murdered anyone, Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death." Not only did Adam and Eve's original sin bring physical death, but also spiritual death, which was separation from God. As we come before God, we are all guilty.
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 We all deserve the death penalty metaphorically speaking. But Jesus took our place too. Like Barabbas we were released by Pilate and Jesus took our place on the cross.
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21
2. If you were Barabbas, how would you have felt about what Jesus did for you?
"Some traditions suggest Barabbas was so moved by Jesus's sacrifice that he became a follower, potentially even seeing the crucifixion from afar." - You Tube
Take some time to reflect on what Jesus did for you on the cross, and what motivated him to do it. If you are a follower of Jesus, how does this motivate you to take up your cross and follow him?
Prayer of the Day
Jesus, I am forever grateful for what you did for me on the cross. Let me not forget the irony of the day a common murderer was released and you took his place. Help me never forget that you were motivated by your love for me. Help me to pick up my cross on a daily basis and die to myself to serve and love others like you did! Amen.
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