33. Handed Over to be Crucified
Mark 15:1-20
p. 940
Handed Over
 Two aspects to explore:

Jesus’ Silence

The Abuse he suffered
 Time Magazine: May 20th, 2013

The Me, Me, Me Generation.
Handed Over . . .
 Jesus’ final hours:

“Very early in the morning” (v. 1) they took Jesus to
Pilate
 Jesus’ “trials” follow the same pattern:

Jesus faces a barrage of accusations

He remains silent – surprises his accusers

An unruly crowd participates in his condemnation

A decision is made – without due process

Jesus is abused.
1. Silence
 Our society – people demand their rights
 Jesus remains silent

Jesus does not reply to the Sanhedrin (14:60-61)

The same happens before Pilate (v 3-5)

Just as was prophesied (Isaiah 53:7)
1. Silence . . .
 A deeper reality:

His prayer in the garden of Gethsemane (14:35-36)

“Not what I will, but what you will”

His submission to the will of the Father:
 Could have out up a spirited defense
 He didn’t
 Not because he was fearful or weak
1. Silence . . .
 Politically explosive charge: “King of the Jews”

Treason to challenge the rule of Caesar.

Not a “King” in any sense Pilate would understand.

A different kind of Kingdom (Mark 10:45)
 Submission to God – at odds with prevailing
mindset

Mark 10:44 “whoever wants to be first must be slave
of all”

Mark 8:34 “...deny themselves...take up
cross...follow me”
2. Abuse
 After both “trials” Jesus is violently abused

As prophesied (Isaiah 50:6)
 Was this necessary? Was it part of payment for
sin?

Macabre fascination in Jesus’ suffering (e.g.
Passion movie)

Is it God’s will because it was prophesied by Isaiah?
2. Abuse . . .
 Day of Atonement - Old Testament

A lamb was slaughtered as a sin offering

No evidence it was abused first (it was
unblemished)

Sins were atoned for by BLOOD not Suffering (Heb
9:22)

Blood, not suffering is redemptive
2. Abuse . . .
 Why the abuse? Two Factors:

FIRST – These were brutalized cultures.





Life was very tough
Mistreatment of prisoners not unheard of.
Jesus’ case nonetheless unusual – more severe than usual.
Isaiah prophesied it because God knew it would happen,
SECOND - It’s the way sinful people respond to
Jesus
 The alternative was repentance.
2. Abuse . . .
 The same is true today.

We may face ridicule and abuse

Not always because we are doing something wrong.

We may be doing something RIGHT

Values are in chaos at the moment
 National Post article – “No Hero Zone”
 “Calgary student rebuked by school for stopping bully”

Jesus: not base actions or decisions on response
received
Handed Over
 Jesus trusted God for the outcome . . .
. . . We should do the
same.
 Jesus taught a radical prayer . . .
. . . “Your will be done”
(Matt 6:10)
We should pray this prayer for ourselves and
entrust ourselves to God.