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Pursuing Jesus In The Gospel Of Mark
The Day Jesus Died
Mark 15:1-47 

Introduction: Not Just Any Day

It wasn’t just any day. It was the day Jesus died. The religious authorities had wanted to deal with Him for some time. When one of His own disciples offered to turn Him over, they finally had their opportunity. They had charged ahead disregarding all legal precedent. They didn’t really care what the law said. They just wanted Jesus dead.

One of the songs often sung on Good Friday asks the question, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” There were people present. What was it like for those who watched the strange string of events unwind? We are going to see—and even hear from—some of those who might have been there when Jesus was crucified. One very obvious fact is that is wasn’t just any day. It was the day Jesus died. It was the day God died for the sin of each and every human being.

Pilate (vv. 1-15)

The ruling council of the Jews had decided that Jesus needed to die. They were not allowed by Roman law, however, to execute anyone. Therefore, after reaching their early morning decision they bound Jesus, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate. While Mark in His biography chronicles only a single encounter before Pilate, we know from the other gospels that Pilate sent Him to King Herod—hoping he might do something that would remove the responsibility from his shoulders—who then returned Jesus back to Pilate. Pilate would have to do something with Jesus.

The accusation Pilate had to deal with was the charge that Jesus was the king of the Jews—a charge Jesus acknowledged. The Jewish rulers made many more charges against Jesus but He remained silent. This amazed Pilate. Why would anyone stay silent with a possible death penalty looming?

It’s safe to assume Pilate admired Jesus and recognized He wasn’t guilty. He said he couldn’t find any guilt and, when he asked the crowd what crime Jesus had committed, he was shouted down.

Pilate knew he had a career decision that had landed squarely in his lap. He offered a deal to the crowd allowing them to decide between Jesus, who had never broken any law, and a rebellious murderer named Barabbas. They chose Barabbas.

One thing you can say for Pilate is that he was a consummate politician. He knew when to cut his losses and move on. So, as much as he knew that Jesus was innocent, he handed Jesus over to be crucified. Why would he do something like that? He valued the public opinion polls. These polls weren’t written on paper. It was expressed through mob hysteria. Mark summarizes Pilate’s view of the day very well,

Pilate gave the crowd what it wanted, set Barabbas free and turned Jesus over for whipping and crucifixion.

                                                                                                Mark 15:15 The Message

As intrigued as Pilate may have been with Jesus, he didn’t consider the Galilean worth jeopardizing his career.

Many people still react to Jesus in the very same way. They are intrigued by Jesus. They understand that He is special, but they don’t see Him as worth disrupting their day-to-day lifestyles. They are willing to consider His claims, but they are not going to go out of their way to make the changes He desires. Why would people do something like that? They care more about what other people think and how they feel. They don’t want to jeopardize life as they know it.

We know a secret though, don’t we? The very best thing any person can do is invite Jesus to jeopardize life as we know it.

The Roman Soldiers (vv. 16-20)

The soldiers did what they always did when they were handed a prisoner to be executed—they abused Jesus. The abuse ran deeper and was more intense in this case. They had been given someone with a title of King of the Jews. They served and worshiped Caesar. Any person seeking to be king in his place deserved to be abused.

·                     They called every available soldier

·                     They dressed Jesus in a purple robe

·                     They created a crown of thorns for this king

·                     They mocked Him

·                     They hit Him over and over and over

·                     They spit on Him

·                     They prepared Him to be crucified

At the end of the day when they returned home and were asked how the day went, they could have answered, “All right. It was like any other day. We executed some people. I did my job.”

Those At The Cross (vv. 25-32)

It wasn’t just any day when you saw the crowd gathered for the execution. Many in the crowd were just part of the crowd. Some in the crowd, however, were the delighted religious rulers who were seeing their fondest wish come true right before their eyes. There were two other men executed that day—robbers who hung on either side.  The charge against Him, reading The King Of The Jews, was placed on the cross. From the crowd insults were shouted up at Him.

Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, "Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!"

                                                                                                Mark 15:29-30 NLT

The high priests, along with the religion scholars, were right there mixing it up with the rest of them, having a great time poking fun at him: "He saved others—but he can't save himself! Messiah, is he? King of Israel? Then let him climb down from that cross. We'll all become believers then!" Even the men crucified alongside him joined in the mockery.

                                                                                                Mark 15:31-32 The Message

Some came for the entertainment. As a race we exhibit this strange characteristic of being entertained by cruelty and violence. Others came for revenge. Jesus needed to die and this was the day He would do just that!

When Jesus Died (vv. 33-39)

            When Jesus died darkness came over the entire area. What was that like?

The darkness in the world reflected the desolation in Jesus’ soul when He realized God—His Father—had forsaken Him. The people there at the cross didn’t understand His cry. They thought when He cried out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani” that He was calling Elijah. After one man offered a wine-vinegar soaked sponge to Jesus they decided to leave Him alone to see if Elijah would come.

Then, Jesus died. When He died some incredible things happened. The curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was torn in two. Any one could now pass through the curtain where before only selected priests could go. That was incredible!

Perhaps even more incredible was the soldier who had helped at the execution. When Jesus died he realized this wasn’t just any day and this wasn’t just any man. He said, “Surely this was the Son of God!” Early in Jesus’ ministry Peter had testified that Jesus is the Messiah. Now both a Jewish fisherman and a Roman soldier had recognized Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world.

Women Who Followed Jesus (vv. 40-41)

By now most of Jesus’ followers were far away from this gruesome scene. But not all of them were. There were some women who loved Jesus and wanted to be near Him.

Those Who Buried Jesus (vv. 42-47)

Jesus was dead. This hadn’t been part of what His followers expected to happen. He tried to tell them it was going to happen, but I think I would have been right with them hoping beyond all hope that something would happen to save His life.

 Jesus needed to be buried. Who would do it? Joseph of Arimathea asked to do so. Joseph was a prominent member of the ruling council. He was helped by his associate Nicodemus. To this point they had both kept the fact they were followers of Jesus quiet. Now they He was dead they were bold enough to go and ask Pilate for Jesus’ body. After Pilate had checked to make sure Jesus was really dead—it seemed a bit quick—he gave his permission. They wrapped Jesus’ body in linen, placed Him in a tomb cut out of a rock and rolled a stone across the entrance. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and John, were about the only ones who saw where Jesus had been laid to rest.

Conclusion: Quite A Day!

It had been quite a day. What should we take away from a day that was unlike any other day? This final testimony will help all of us answer the question.