1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:04,340 Hope you have your Bible open first at mark’s gospel and Chapter 15 2 00:00:05,420 –> 00:00:07,540 We’re following the story of the passion of Jesus 3 00:00:08,200 –> 00:00:09,880 Christ and 4 00:00:09,880 –> 00:00:15,300 We’re learning that his suffering came in three phases or at least had three parts 5 00:00:15,660 –> 00:00:21,459 It began with suffering at the hands of his friends. We’re going to see today it 6 00:00:22,160 –> 00:00:25,860 intensified in his suffering at the hands of his enemies and 7 00:00:26,100 –> 00:00:29,340 Then on the cross as he bears our guilt and sin 8 00:00:29,340 –> 00:00:36,820 We’re going to see next time that Christ suffers also at the hand of God and there he reaches the very depth of 9 00:00:37,560 –> 00:00:39,560 His own suffering 10 00:00:39,919 –> 00:00:43,060 We began last time by looking at how jesus suffering 11 00:00:43,619 –> 00:00:50,639 opened at the hands of his friends Judas betrays him Peter denies him all of the disciples find that fear in them is greater than 12 00:00:50,639 –> 00:00:55,160 faith and they abandon him in the garden of Gethsemane and 13 00:00:55,779 –> 00:01:01,880 Today then in mark chapter 15 we come to the second stage as it were in the sufferings of Christ 14 00:01:01,880 –> 00:01:03,880 I find it helpful to think of these three 15 00:01:04,459 –> 00:01:06,779 progressive developments of Jesus suffering as 16 00:01:07,180 –> 00:01:12,919 He suffers at the hands of his enemies now two points by way of introduction 17 00:01:14,180 –> 00:01:19,019 First I want you to notice how restrained the Bible is in 18 00:01:19,019 –> 00:01:20,419 in 19 00:01:20,419 –> 00:01:27,559 Describing the sufferings of Jesus for example mark chapter 15 in verse 15 look at this for just plain 20 00:01:28,120 –> 00:01:29,500 statement 21 00:01:29,500 –> 00:01:31,500 Wanting to satisfy the crowd 22 00:01:32,080 –> 00:01:35,000 Pilate released Barabbas to them 23 00:01:36,120 –> 00:01:38,599 he had Jesus flogged and 24 00:01:39,559 –> 00:01:41,760 Handed him over to be crucified 25 00:01:42,580 –> 00:01:44,580 No description 26 00:01:45,000 –> 00:01:47,000 No Gordy details 27 00:01:47,220 –> 00:01:49,040 No 28 00:01:49,040 –> 00:01:51,040 manipulation of readers 29 00:01:51,839 –> 00:01:54,000 Seeking to bring high impact 30 00:01:54,760 –> 00:01:55,879 by 31 00:01:55,879 –> 00:01:59,120 Playing off the violence of these terrible events 32 00:02:00,279 –> 00:02:02,300 it’s always a temptation for 33 00:02:03,059 –> 00:02:08,080 Preachers or may often be a temptation for preachers to try and have an impact on people 34 00:02:08,199 –> 00:02:14,020 With the shock value of the awful violence that went on here, but I want you to notice the Bible doesn’t do that 35 00:02:14,800 –> 00:02:16,800 in a world of manipulation 36 00:02:18,000 –> 00:02:20,000 God speaks the truth 37 00:02:20,279 –> 00:02:22,279 He never manipulates. I 38 00:02:22,520 –> 00:02:29,320 Thank God for that, don’t you and so I felt that it was important in my own preparation to speak about these awesome things today 39 00:02:29,320 –> 00:02:32,699 That as a preacher, I should not go beyond what is written 40 00:02:32,720 –> 00:02:39,020 I just want you to notice that here’s the second thing that while the Bible is very restrained with regards 41 00:02:39,500 –> 00:02:43,360 Description of the sufferings of Jesus it is absolutely explicit 42 00:02:43,880 –> 00:02:45,559 with regards to 43 00:02:45,559 –> 00:02:46,559 application of 44 00:02:46,559 –> 00:02:51,919 The sufferings of Jesus in other words while we are given little by way of descriptive detail 45 00:02:51,960 –> 00:02:55,259 We are given lots to answer the question 46 00:02:55,259 –> 00:02:59,279 How does what he suffered touch my life today? 47 00:02:59,279 –> 00:03:05,679 and that is the question that really is before us every time we open the Word of God and 48 00:03:06,479 –> 00:03:11,419 And I want us to think about that you see we often focus on how the death of Jesus 49 00:03:12,160 –> 00:03:17,899 Touches our lives today. He bore our sin. He took our judgment. He died our death 50 00:03:18,580 –> 00:03:21,740 He bore the wrath of God will come to that 51 00:03:22,279 –> 00:03:27,660 In two weeks time as we come to Jesus death on the cross, but we’re not there yet 52 00:03:27,779 –> 00:03:32,820 And the question before us today is not how does the death of Jesus touch my life? 53 00:03:32,820 –> 00:03:35,899 But how do the sufferings of Jesus? 54 00:03:36,619 –> 00:03:37,839 touch 55 00:03:37,839 –> 00:03:39,139 my life 56 00:03:39,139 –> 00:03:43,919 And I want us to see that the Bible has some very distinct and clear and powerful 57 00:03:44,660 –> 00:03:50,000 Application of the sufferings of Jesus to our lives as his followers today 58 00:03:50,699 –> 00:03:54,240 Now what normally happens in in a sermon the way it’s usually done 59 00:03:54,240 –> 00:03:54,699 is 60 00:03:54,699 –> 00:03:55,699 that you get the 61 00:03:55,699 –> 00:04:01,139 Teaching and then after you’ve had a little bit of the teaching or sometimes even a lot of the teaching you get the application 62 00:04:01,619 –> 00:04:03,860 Now today, we’re gonna do it the other way around 63 00:04:04,419 –> 00:04:09,500 We’re gonna have the application first I want us to see how the New Testament 64 00:04:10,320 –> 00:04:17,799 applies the suffering of Jesus to our lives so that we will know up front what this has to do with us and 65 00:04:18,119 –> 00:04:22,739 then I think when we see what it has to do with us from the New Testament, then 66 00:04:22,739 –> 00:04:24,980 we’ll come back with open eyes and 67 00:04:25,299 –> 00:04:28,019 eager hearts to mark in chapter 15 to see 68 00:04:28,040 –> 00:04:33,899 What mark actually tells us about the sufferings of Jesus so we have application first 69 00:04:34,299 –> 00:04:37,760 Preceding the teaching so it’s going to be the wrong way round as it were now for that reason 70 00:04:37,880 –> 00:04:44,980 I hope you’ll follow me in a couple of cross references because I want us to see how the New Testament applies 71 00:04:45,720 –> 00:04:51,519 Mark 15 the sufferings of Jesus before we actually come to looking at it together and 72 00:04:52,519 –> 00:04:54,559 There are really three ways in which 73 00:04:55,359 –> 00:05:01,540 This happens in the New Testament. Would you turn first to the book of Hebrews and Chapter 2? 74 00:05:02,399 –> 00:05:04,559 Hebrews and chapter 2 75 00:05:05,559 –> 00:05:10,140 Are we going to see here that God wants you to find comfort? 76 00:05:11,279 –> 00:05:17,760 Through the experience of Jesus. This is how what we’re going to learn today applies to you 77 00:05:18,399 –> 00:05:22,119 God wants you to find comfort 78 00:05:22,420 –> 00:05:23,559 through 79 00:05:23,559 –> 00:05:28,940 The experience of Jesus through what he suffered now Hebrews 2 10 says this 80 00:05:29,640 –> 00:05:31,739 That in bringing many sons to glory 81 00:05:32,559 –> 00:05:38,779 It was fitting that God for whom and through whom everything exists should make the author of their salvation 82 00:05:38,899 –> 00:05:41,640 That’s Jesus that God should make Jesus perfect 83 00:05:42,640 –> 00:05:44,239 through 84 00:05:44,239 –> 00:05:45,720 suffering 85 00:05:45,720 –> 00:05:48,839 Now this word perfect here carries the 86 00:05:49,720 –> 00:05:51,720 idea of being complete 87 00:05:52,200 –> 00:05:57,760 it’s not saying that Jesus was somehow improved through suffering clearly that would be impossible because of the 88 00:05:58,519 –> 00:06:05,079 Perfection of our Lord Jesus Christ what it means. Is that Jesus became the Savior he is 89 00:06:06,320 –> 00:06:13,920 Through what he suffered the the complete Savior he is the the wholeness of Christ was filled out 90 00:06:15,079 –> 00:06:17,079 through what he 91 00:06:17,700 –> 00:06:19,640 suffered 92 00:06:19,640 –> 00:06:21,640 now 93 00:06:22,299 –> 00:06:24,299 Savior who had never suffered 94 00:06:25,559 –> 00:06:28,260 would be severely lacking a 95 00:06:29,519 –> 00:06:36,660 Savior who had never suffered would be unable to connect with large parts of every one of our lives and the huge 96 00:06:36,660 –> 00:06:38,779 Part of this world in which we live 97 00:06:40,140 –> 00:06:45,500 Travel in other countries you sometimes see idols that are pictured looking remote and distant 98 00:06:46,859 –> 00:06:48,859 impervious 99 00:06:48,899 –> 00:06:49,899 Our 100 00:06:49,899 –> 00:06:52,880 Jesus is the Savior he is and 101 00:06:53,679 –> 00:06:57,140 Able to relate to you in every facet of your life 102 00:06:58,179 –> 00:07:00,459 because of what he suffered 103 00:07:01,000 –> 00:07:05,079 That’s what Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 10 is telling us 104 00:07:05,480 –> 00:07:10,859 When you suffer when you go through something really hard you are instinctively drawn 105 00:07:11,459 –> 00:07:15,660 To other people who’ve gone through something similar or the same and 106 00:07:15,859 –> 00:07:21,820 And there’s a big difference between someone who’s gone through what you’re experiencing in the way that they can relate and 107 00:07:22,179 –> 00:07:24,260 you know the the general sort of 108 00:07:24,779 –> 00:07:30,019 compassion of someone who may feel sorry for you, but really has no idea what you’re going through and 109 00:07:30,779 –> 00:07:33,380 Hebrews is telling us Jesus has been 110 00:07:34,299 –> 00:07:38,279 Tested at every point as we are he has endured suffering that shapes 111 00:07:39,059 –> 00:07:41,059 fills out the Savior 112 00:07:41,619 –> 00:07:44,700 He is and so if you turn over just a page here 113 00:07:44,700 –> 00:07:48,640 You’ll see how Hebrews applies this chapter 4 in verse 15 114 00:07:48,940 –> 00:07:53,880 The writer says we don’t have a high priest who’s unable to sympathize with our weaknesses 115 00:07:53,880 –> 00:07:58,540 We don’t we don’t have a remote Savior. Who’s somehow distant from a suffering world 116 00:07:59,420 –> 00:08:04,779 We have one who has been tested or tempted in every way just as we are yet. He was without sin 117 00:08:04,779 –> 00:08:08,980 And so here’s how it touches our lives today. We can come to him 118 00:08:08,980 –> 00:08:16,679 We can approach his throne of grace, and we can receive mercy and we can find grace to help us in our time of 119 00:08:17,339 –> 00:08:19,339 need 120 00:08:19,339 –> 00:08:23,040 The religions of the world all teach about suffering 121 00:08:24,679 –> 00:08:30,839 But the gospel presents us with a person who has suffered and 122 00:08:32,880 –> 00:08:34,880 Here’s the first application 123 00:08:35,719 –> 00:08:39,880 That God wants you in your suffering to find comfort 124 00:08:40,640 –> 00:08:42,520 through the 125 00:08:42,520 –> 00:08:44,520 experience of the Lord Jesus Christ 126 00:08:45,359 –> 00:08:50,380 Now that’s the first of the three applications and I want us to get them. So the keyword here is comfort 127 00:08:50,380 –> 00:08:52,200 Will you say it with me, please? 128 00:08:52,200 –> 00:08:54,700 Comfort comfort. Okay. Now here’s the second 129 00:08:55,340 –> 00:08:59,919 Not only does God want you to find comfort through the experience of Jesus, but he wants you to find 130 00:09:00,520 –> 00:09:02,520 Direction there’s the second keyword 131 00:09:03,260 –> 00:09:06,780 Direction in suffering from the example of Jesus 132 00:09:07,140 –> 00:09:11,799 now if you turn over just a couple of pages from Hebrews, you’ll get to first Peter and 133 00:09:12,419 –> 00:09:13,440 first Peter 134 00:09:13,440 –> 00:09:19,440 221 makes this very clear. And notice again. Peter is applying not so much the death of Jesus 135 00:09:20,000 –> 00:09:25,260 But particularly the sufferings of Jesus. And here’s what he says one Peter 221 136 00:09:26,619 –> 00:09:28,039 Christ 137 00:09:28,039 –> 00:09:29,799 suffered for you 138 00:09:30,679 –> 00:09:32,679 Leaving you an example 139 00:09:34,099 –> 00:09:37,700 That you should follow in his steps 140 00:09:39,880 –> 00:09:43,099 Now the reality of life in this world is that 141 00:09:44,260 –> 00:09:48,299 Some reflection of the experience of Jesus will touch your life 142 00:09:50,179 –> 00:09:53,080 You will find in the course of your life that you 143 00:09:54,700 –> 00:09:58,460 Endure someone or some people who oppose you and 144 00:09:59,179 –> 00:10:01,179 Perhaps even hate you 145 00:10:02,320 –> 00:10:07,059 You may experience this in the context of business someone who tries to destroy you 146 00:10:09,000 –> 00:10:13,200 You may experience it even in the context of someone who wants profess to love you 147 00:10:15,159 –> 00:10:21,020 Now when this happens Peter says the suffering of Jesus gives a model or a template an 148 00:10:21,340 –> 00:10:25,580 example to follow in this kind of experience that we will face 149 00:10:26,539 –> 00:10:30,500 God wants you to find direction in your suffering 150 00:10:31,500 –> 00:10:38,039 Through the example of Jesus. Now, what is the example? Well, Peter makes it very clear here. Let’s just read on 151 00:10:38,580 –> 00:10:40,580 Jesus did not retaliate 152 00:10:40,599 –> 00:10:43,140 When they hurled their insults at him 153 00:10:43,799 –> 00:10:45,799 Jesus did not retaliate 154 00:10:46,880 –> 00:10:51,239 Now Peter is saying here’s the particular application of the sufferings of Jesus 155 00:10:51,239 –> 00:10:58,900 here’s how mark 15 applies to you when someone hurts you your first instinct will be to want to hurt them back and 156 00:11:00,260 –> 00:11:05,559 Peter says now follow the example of Jesus. He didn’t do that. So don’t you do that either if 157 00:11:06,400 –> 00:11:14,219 someone undermines confidence in you in business your first instinct will be to undermine confidence in that person in their business and 158 00:11:14,960 –> 00:11:21,780 Peter is saying to us don’t do that that’s that’s not the Jesus way and how he handled the 159 00:11:22,119 –> 00:11:27,679 Opposition and the suffering is a template. It’s a model. It’s an example to give direction to you 160 00:11:28,260 –> 00:11:34,320 Not only did he not retaliate notice he made no threats when he suffered he made no threats 161 00:11:35,700 –> 00:11:39,859 Now if anyone was in a position to threaten those who opposed him 162 00:11:40,760 –> 00:11:46,919 Wasn’t it I mean, he truly could have threatened hell fire and damnation 163 00:11:48,500 –> 00:11:50,500 But he chose not to do that 164 00:11:50,940 –> 00:11:53,159 When he suffered he made no threat 165 00:11:54,000 –> 00:12:00,440 And says Peter here’s the application to our lives. That’s an example. That’s a model. That’s a pattern for you. So 166 00:12:01,260 –> 00:12:04,659 Never make threats. Don’t say that you’ll get even 167 00:12:06,359 –> 00:12:08,520 Don’t threaten to resign 168 00:12:09,440 –> 00:12:12,340 Don’t say if you do this to me, I’ll do that to you 169 00:12:13,539 –> 00:12:17,000 Because Jesus made no threats and he’s your example 170 00:12:18,280 –> 00:12:20,280 from his suffering 171 00:12:20,299 –> 00:12:23,260 What he did instead positively was he trusted God? 172 00:12:24,020 –> 00:12:30,580 Instead he trusted himself to him who judges justly here is Christ and he faces 173 00:12:31,299 –> 00:12:33,299 extraordinary injustice and 174 00:12:33,859 –> 00:12:36,919 he says well, I know that my father is just and 175 00:12:37,539 –> 00:12:39,539 he knows all things and 176 00:12:40,140 –> 00:12:43,059 So I trust myself to him knowing that one day 177 00:12:43,979 –> 00:12:45,979 He will make all things 178 00:12:46,820 –> 00:12:48,820 known 179 00:12:48,940 –> 00:12:51,020 So in this he is our example 180 00:12:52,460 –> 00:12:54,539 We live in a world where sometimes? 181 00:12:55,219 –> 00:12:58,159 there is no way of getting justice and 182 00:12:59,419 –> 00:13:03,020 You hang then on the justice of God 183 00:13:04,219 –> 00:13:06,119 So God wants you to find 184 00:13:06,640 –> 00:13:11,159 Direction by the example of Jesus how he handled this 185 00:13:11,859 –> 00:13:15,780 Opposition and how he endured this suffering so two words now 186 00:13:16,359 –> 00:13:18,400 Comfort and Direction. Let’s say them together 187 00:13:18,940 –> 00:13:20,940 Comfort and Direction 188 00:13:21,320 –> 00:13:27,219 Okay, and here’s the third that God wants you to find strength 189 00:13:27,239 –> 00:13:34,739 There’s the third word in the endurance of Jesus, please turn back to Hebrews chapter 12 just a few 190 00:13:35,460 –> 00:13:37,460 verses back 191 00:13:37,520 –> 00:13:41,020 find strength in the endurance of Jesus 192 00:13:42,219 –> 00:13:44,219 Notice what the writer says here 193 00:13:44,820 –> 00:13:47,500 Consider him that’s Jesus consider Jesus 194 00:13:48,580 –> 00:13:52,719 Who endured such opposition from sinful men? 195 00:13:54,140 –> 00:13:55,919 so that 196 00:13:55,919 –> 00:14:00,200 You will not grow weary or lose heart 197 00:14:01,200 –> 00:14:06,640 This is Bible such a practical book and it speaks right to the realities of our lives 198 00:14:06,640 –> 00:14:12,599 And it’s saying look here. You are as a disciple of Jesus, and you’re living in a difficult world. You’re engaged in ministry 199 00:14:12,780 –> 00:14:17,219 It’s tough life’s tough, and you will face this pressure and temptation 200 00:14:17,219 –> 00:14:23,640 You will be endangered sometimes of growing weary, and you will sometimes feel that you are losing heart 201 00:14:24,500 –> 00:14:27,760 Now how do you face up to and overcome this sort of? 202 00:14:28,719 –> 00:14:31,780 feeling of being worn out in the 203 00:14:32,099 –> 00:14:37,080 Perpetual battle of the Christian life and the ongoing struggle and pressures of Christian ministry 204 00:14:37,960 –> 00:14:42,320 Here is how you sustain yourself here is how you make sure you do not grow weary 205 00:14:42,340 –> 00:14:47,840 And how you make sure that you do not lose heart you consider him and all that he suffered you 206 00:14:48,380 –> 00:14:53,119 ponder together, and this is what we’re going to do today from Mark and chapter 15 the 207 00:14:53,719 –> 00:15:00,440 Opposition that jesus face from sinful men and all that he endured and all that he persevered through and the 208 00:15:00,960 –> 00:15:08,239 effect of that in your life the practical effect of that will be that you will not lose grow weary and you will not 209 00:15:08,419 –> 00:15:10,419 lose heart 210 00:15:11,039 –> 00:15:16,659 So this is precisely the value in other words of us considering mark chapter 15 together 211 00:15:19,940 –> 00:15:22,080 Comfort direction strength 212 00:15:23,140 –> 00:15:24,559 Together 213 00:15:24,559 –> 00:15:26,219 comfort 214 00:15:26,219 –> 00:15:29,080 Direction strength. There’s the application 215 00:15:29,780 –> 00:15:32,179 This is all the wrong way around now, isn’t it? We’re confused 216 00:15:32,179 –> 00:15:38,599 this is not the end of the sermon, but we are indeed halfway through let’s turn back to marks gospel and chapter 217 00:15:39,299 –> 00:15:42,099 15. I think with open eyes now 218 00:15:43,299 –> 00:15:47,059 We’re ready to see what it is that gives us comfort 219 00:15:47,840 –> 00:15:49,059 direction 220 00:15:49,059 –> 00:15:51,059 and strength 221 00:15:51,059 –> 00:15:53,380 Mark’s gospel and chapter 222 00:15:55,080 –> 00:15:59,099 15 I want us to see here now as we ponder the sufferings of Jesus 223 00:16:00,799 –> 00:16:03,960 Four ways in which he suffered and we’ll see very quickly 224 00:16:03,960 –> 00:16:09,039 I think how these apply as the Bible has told us to our lives 225 00:16:10,719 –> 00:16:15,619 The first is simply that Jesus Christ was bound chapter 15 in verse 1 226 00:16:16,640 –> 00:16:18,640 They bound Jesus 227 00:16:19,500 –> 00:16:21,500 The led him away and 228 00:16:21,739 –> 00:16:24,239 They handed him over to Pilate 229 00:16:25,739 –> 00:16:29,539 Now, let’s think for a moment get it in our minds what’s actually happening here 230 00:16:31,239 –> 00:16:34,359 The hands that healed are bound 231 00:16:36,739 –> 00:16:43,640 The feet that had taken the good news of the gospel over Judea and the hills of Samaria are tethered and 232 00:16:45,200 –> 00:16:47,200 Christ the Son of God is 233 00:16:48,119 –> 00:16:54,799 Delivered into the hands of those who hate him and want to hurt him and 234 00:16:56,020 –> 00:16:58,020 God allowed it to be so 235 00:16:59,479 –> 00:17:05,319 It’s extraordinary to think about it that ropes that were twisted together in some back street of Jerusalem 236 00:17:06,819 –> 00:17:09,400 truly bind the wrists of 237 00:17:10,060 –> 00:17:12,060 the Son of God 238 00:17:12,560 –> 00:17:14,560 now 239 00:17:16,199 –> 00:17:21,900 Maybe it occurs to you as it ran through my mind this week. Couldn’t Jesus have broken these bindings? 240 00:17:21,900 –> 00:17:24,140 Doesn’t he have all power isn’t he the Son of God? 241 00:17:25,699 –> 00:17:27,699 Couldn’t he break the bindings? 242 00:17:30,020 –> 00:17:32,020 And the answer is no and 243 00:17:33,459 –> 00:17:35,459 Here is why 244 00:17:36,199 –> 00:17:38,199 God had determined 245 00:17:38,760 –> 00:17:42,560 That at this moment Jesus should be bound and 246 00:17:43,339 –> 00:17:49,079 The Bible says God cannot deny himself. God is not in contradiction to himself 247 00:17:49,500 –> 00:17:52,099 there is no confusion within him and 248 00:17:53,780 –> 00:18:00,540 So heaven itself cannot break these bindings that are the will of God for Jesus at this moment 249 00:18:01,140 –> 00:18:03,140 and 250 00:18:03,579 –> 00:18:06,500 Because Jesus he has said very clearly that 251 00:18:07,500 –> 00:18:13,719 For him his will is to do the will of the Father he too is committed to this 252 00:18:15,660 –> 00:18:18,500 So even Jesus cannot break these bindings 253 00:18:21,579 –> 00:18:26,560 Klaus skilder whose writings on the sufferings of Jesus have been so helpful to me over the years 254 00:18:28,000 –> 00:18:30,000 He says here 255 00:18:30,219 –> 00:18:32,219 speaking generally 256 00:18:32,699 –> 00:18:34,699 God can break all bindings 257 00:18:34,699 –> 00:18:39,979 But then he points out that speaking generally is irrelevant here 258 00:18:42,660 –> 00:18:50,160 Because there’s nothing normal here nothing normal about Gethsemane nothing normal about the binding of Jesus nothing normal about 259 00:18:50,300 –> 00:18:56,959 Calvary this is God acting to redeem the world in Jesus Christ and Jesus is really bound and 260 00:18:57,760 –> 00:19:00,660 He is in the hands of his 261 00:19:01,939 –> 00:19:03,939 enemies 262 00:19:04,459 –> 00:19:07,479 Now, how does this speak to us well 263 00:19:09,119 –> 00:19:12,060 You may find yourself at some points in your life 264 00:19:13,699 –> 00:19:17,420 Where you are in the hands or 265 00:19:19,040 –> 00:19:21,040 under the power of 266 00:19:21,739 –> 00:19:24,900 someone or perhaps even a number of people who are 267 00:19:25,859 –> 00:19:27,859 Against you 268 00:19:27,959 –> 00:19:29,959 Want to harm you 269 00:19:30,959 –> 00:19:34,359 People who see a world without you 270 00:19:35,859 –> 00:19:41,579 And you may find yourself in a situation more than once in your life where you are 271 00:19:42,439 –> 00:19:44,599 powerless to do anything about it I 272 00:19:46,040 –> 00:19:47,599 wonder 273 00:19:47,599 –> 00:19:54,099 How many times as a pastor over 28 years someone has sat in the study with me and and said? 274 00:19:54,280 –> 00:19:59,119 They’ve described a situation. There’s this person. There’s this person and this is happening and there’s that dynamic 275 00:19:59,420 –> 00:20:02,119 And then they’ve said this pastor, I feel 276 00:20:03,180 –> 00:20:04,359 absolutely 277 00:20:04,359 –> 00:20:05,599 powerless 278 00:20:05,599 –> 00:20:07,599 powerless 279 00:20:08,160 –> 00:20:12,079 There is nothing I can do about this 280 00:20:15,319 –> 00:20:17,319 You know what 281 00:20:18,400 –> 00:20:24,380 The Lord Jesus Christ would come to you at that moment, and he would say to you I 282 00:20:26,880 –> 00:20:28,239 Am 283 00:20:28,239 –> 00:20:29,920 Your 284 00:20:29,920 –> 00:20:31,660 comfort 285 00:20:31,660 –> 00:20:34,099 direction and strength 286 00:20:35,280 –> 00:20:39,000 Because I too have been there 287 00:20:42,719 –> 00:20:47,439 The suffering of Jesus fills our the Savior he is 288 00:20:49,760 –> 00:20:51,760 When you’re bound 289 00:20:52,140 –> 00:20:57,719 When you know that you’re up against something that leaves you absolutely 290 00:20:58,680 –> 00:21:00,680 Powerless 291 00:21:01,000 –> 00:21:05,660 And that’s part of life if you’ve never known it you’ll be there one day 292 00:21:07,079 –> 00:21:09,079 But most of us know already 293 00:21:12,239 –> 00:21:14,719 Not only was Christ bound but secondly 294 00:21:15,380 –> 00:21:17,380 Christ was accused 295 00:21:17,479 –> 00:21:21,540 Verse 3 the chief priests accused him of many things 296 00:21:22,719 –> 00:21:23,880 now 297 00:21:23,880 –> 00:21:28,260 remember that this is happening in the the official residence and therefore the court of 298 00:21:29,219 –> 00:21:31,579 Pontius Pilate the Roman governor and 299 00:21:32,359 –> 00:21:35,400 Roman law as a matter of history of course is one of the great 300 00:21:35,760 –> 00:21:39,479 legacies of the Roman Empire to the world the Romans like all 301 00:21:39,540 –> 00:21:42,599 Empire builders thought that they were doing the world a great favor by 302 00:21:42,760 –> 00:21:47,839 Conquering it and spreading all the good things that they had and one of the really good things that they did have 303 00:21:48,079 –> 00:21:53,859 Was their legal system, which is why so many parts of different legal systems around the world 304 00:21:53,859 –> 00:21:57,280 still today are based on the ancient system of 305 00:21:58,020 –> 00:22:05,219 Roman law and Pilate was in this very privileged and highly responsible position of representing the Emperor in 306 00:22:05,579 –> 00:22:08,680 regard to matters of law, which meant that his primary 307 00:22:09,400 –> 00:22:15,880 Responsibility was of protecting the innocent and indicting the guilty but when Jesus comes before Pilate 308 00:22:15,880 –> 00:22:17,880 There is no protection whatsoever 309 00:22:18,680 –> 00:22:21,300 Pilot finds no charge against Jesus 310 00:22:21,380 –> 00:22:26,359 you see that in verse 14 the crowd are calling for Jesus to be crucified and Pilate says well 311 00:22:26,359 –> 00:22:32,380 Why what crime has he committed and there’s no answer to that question. Just a growing call for his death 312 00:22:33,099 –> 00:22:37,219 and so while the law is supposed to protect the innocent 313 00:22:37,900 –> 00:22:40,160 from this kind of mob rule 314 00:22:41,540 –> 00:22:48,219 Pilot completely steps aside from his trust and his responsibility and we’re told that Pilate 315 00:22:49,020 –> 00:22:52,880 Hands Jesus over verse 15 to be crucified 316 00:22:53,640 –> 00:22:58,060 Having just established that he the man responsible finds no charge 317 00:22:59,900 –> 00:23:07,219 Now after the trial before pilot the soldiers gather around Jesus and verse 16 to 20 describes the mockery and the brutality 318 00:23:07,900 –> 00:23:10,560 That went on there. And again, this is the 319 00:23:11,079 –> 00:23:14,939 Precisely the kind of thing that a proper legal process should prevent 320 00:23:14,939 –> 00:23:19,939 Torture is the breakdown of every system of law and 321 00:23:21,500 –> 00:23:28,439 Pilot was responsible for preventing the kind of abuse that the soldiers here indulged in but he completely abandons that responsibility 322 00:23:30,640 –> 00:23:35,680 So what you’ve got here is the breakdown of all legal process 323 00:23:36,579 –> 00:23:37,859 and 324 00:23:37,859 –> 00:23:40,599 You know law and order is a gift from the Lord, isn’t it? 325 00:23:40,640 –> 00:23:44,959 I mean if you travel to some parts of the world where law and order is 326 00:23:45,479 –> 00:23:51,160 Scarcely holding up and you come back home and you say thank God 327 00:23:52,319 –> 00:23:57,339 For law and for order. Thank God for it and we should 328 00:23:58,479 –> 00:24:02,459 but I think we’re reminded in the scriptures here that even the best 329 00:24:02,680 –> 00:24:07,760 systems of law and order and surely the Roman one even in those days must have counted among them 330 00:24:08,719 –> 00:24:13,800 even the best systems of law and order are operating in a fallen world and 331 00:24:14,839 –> 00:24:18,599 sometimes the guilty are indicted and sometimes they go free and 332 00:24:19,839 –> 00:24:22,739 sometimes the innocent are protected and sometimes 333 00:24:23,520 –> 00:24:25,800 they are ravaged by the Wolves and 334 00:24:27,180 –> 00:24:32,479 That’s true in the world’s best systems of justice 335 00:24:33,479 –> 00:24:40,479 Jesus makes no reply to these many accusations that are pouring in against him from various people all around the room the whole thing is 336 00:24:41,020 –> 00:24:42,319 disordered 337 00:24:42,319 –> 00:24:46,339 And of course he makes no reply because this is not a court seeking after truth 338 00:24:47,420 –> 00:24:49,420 And so you remain silent 339 00:24:50,640 –> 00:24:54,119 Now remember how this speaks to us 340 00:24:56,239 –> 00:25:01,839 Comfort direction strength and let’s think about our own experience 341 00:25:03,479 –> 00:25:09,119 You can expect to face some situations in life where you are falsely accused 342 00:25:12,459 –> 00:25:17,500 You may be able to answer and if you are then you should do so and you should clear your name 343 00:25:19,219 –> 00:25:23,699 But there are sometimes when you cannot undo the damage of a false accusation 344 00:25:25,260 –> 00:25:31,640 Sometimes the sheer number of falsehoods that are spoken against you make an answer impossible 345 00:25:32,660 –> 00:25:34,660 and 346 00:25:34,780 –> 00:25:36,780 When you find yourself being 347 00:25:37,780 –> 00:25:39,780 misrepresented 348 00:25:40,900 –> 00:25:44,920 Something within you will cry out to God. How is this possible? 349 00:25:46,099 –> 00:25:47,359 and 350 00:25:47,359 –> 00:25:52,900 You know the reason Lord Jesus Christ would say to you then now look I have been there 351 00:25:53,660 –> 00:25:56,800 And I will stand with you in this now 352 00:25:57,619 –> 00:26:01,400 And I will be to you say it with me 353 00:26:02,339 –> 00:26:06,060 Comfort direction and strength 354 00:26:07,520 –> 00:26:09,420 See 355 00:26:09,420 –> 00:26:14,739 Our Lord, Jesus Christ addresses the whole of life real life 356 00:26:16,459 –> 00:26:22,699 Now here’s the third thing that he suffered and again, we’re going to apply to ourselves Christ was flogged 357 00:26:23,300 –> 00:26:25,300 Mark chapter 15 and verse 15 358 00:26:26,300 –> 00:26:28,619 Pilate had Jesus flogged and 359 00:26:29,260 –> 00:26:31,199 Handed him over 360 00:26:31,199 –> 00:26:33,199 To be crucified 361 00:26:34,479 –> 00:26:36,479 Now obviously this involved 362 00:26:37,359 –> 00:26:41,180 unspeakable physical pain for the Lord Jesus Christ and 363 00:26:41,780 –> 00:26:47,160 It seems to me that it is precisely this part of his suffering. That is physical pain 364 00:26:47,800 –> 00:26:50,300 That speaks into our lives today 365 00:26:51,599 –> 00:26:58,239 Now some of us have experienced physical pain that was inflicted by another person. It’s a terrible thing 366 00:26:59,420 –> 00:27:02,880 others of us have not really experienced that but we 367 00:27:03,459 –> 00:27:07,680 we have experienced great physical pain perhaps through an accident or 368 00:27:09,219 –> 00:27:12,699 Perhaps through an illness or even an ongoing condition 369 00:27:14,339 –> 00:27:16,339 You live with pain 370 00:27:19,140 –> 00:27:22,540 Some of us have never experienced any of that but one day we will 371 00:27:22,540 –> 00:27:30,699 Physical pain is part of life. I tell you one of the hardest things I’ve ever found as a pastor is 372 00:27:30,699 –> 00:27:37,020 to sit by the bedside of someone who is in physical pain and to feel so utterly helpless 373 00:27:39,619 –> 00:27:44,020 Those of you who’re nurses those of you who’re carers know exactly what I’m talking about here 374 00:27:47,160 –> 00:27:49,400 When you experience physical pain 375 00:27:49,959 –> 00:27:51,959 You may find yourself 376 00:27:53,359 –> 00:27:57,939 tempted as job’s wife was tempted you remember in her agony, she said 377 00:27:58,459 –> 00:28:03,319 to job, why don’t you just curse God and die and if you are in? 378 00:28:04,199 –> 00:28:05,780 pain 379 00:28:05,780 –> 00:28:09,479 you may find some moments when rising within you you feel an 380 00:28:10,119 –> 00:28:14,959 Antagonism towards God and you know what the example of Jesus is saying. Don’t go there 381 00:28:15,939 –> 00:28:21,160 The Lord Jesus Christ would come to you in your physical pain and 382 00:28:23,300 –> 00:28:27,020 He would say to you I’ve been there and 383 00:28:29,119 –> 00:28:32,239 I will be your comfort 384 00:28:33,979 –> 00:28:36,260 Direction strength 385 00:28:37,719 –> 00:28:41,180 And then there’s a fourth way in which the Lord Jesus Christ 386 00:28:42,380 –> 00:28:44,560 Suffered he was ridiculed 387 00:28:45,400 –> 00:28:47,400 chapter 15 and verse 20 388 00:28:48,000 –> 00:28:51,400 When they had mocked him, that’s the key word 389 00:28:52,040 –> 00:28:56,199 They took off the purple robe, and they put his own clothes on him 390 00:28:56,719 –> 00:29:01,119 now Mark spends four or five verses here from verse 16 through 391 00:29:01,959 –> 00:29:03,160 20 392 00:29:03,160 –> 00:29:06,719 Describing the taunting of Jesus the soldiers 393 00:29:07,900 –> 00:29:10,000 humiliating the Lord Jesus Christ 394 00:29:10,479 –> 00:29:11,160 Jesus Christ 395 00:29:11,160 –> 00:29:14,300 Remember that Pilate back in verse 2 had asked 396 00:29:14,319 –> 00:29:19,199 Jesus are you the king of the Jews and Jesus replied, yes it is as you say 397 00:29:19,660 –> 00:29:22,359 That’s verse 2 and you may also remember that 398 00:29:23,479 –> 00:29:28,239 Because of this when Jesus was crucified and we’ll come to that story another Sunday 399 00:29:29,119 –> 00:29:35,719 pilot had an inscription made that said Jesus of nazareth the king of the Jews and so this theme of 400 00:29:36,199 –> 00:29:41,780 Jesus the king runs all the way through the passion story and especially at this point 401 00:29:42,719 –> 00:29:49,979 Now the soldiers pick up on this. Ah, now here’s the man who says that he’s a king and they want to use this as 402 00:29:49,979 –> 00:29:51,319 a kind of 403 00:29:51,319 –> 00:29:53,219 mockery to 404 00:29:53,219 –> 00:29:57,160 caricature the Lord Jesus Christ and to mock Him and 405 00:29:57,640 –> 00:30:03,859 So verse 17 they gather around Jesus and they put a purple robe on him 406 00:30:04,420 –> 00:30:06,140 now 407 00:30:06,140 –> 00:30:09,040 We want to try and picture this, I think in our imagination 408 00:30:09,060 –> 00:30:15,020 but to do it rightly as Mark describes it and so please don’t think about a 409 00:30:15,640 –> 00:30:17,739 beautiful newly dyed purple robe 410 00:30:18,959 –> 00:30:21,339 This would have been an old faded cloak 411 00:30:22,560 –> 00:30:30,420 Something from one of the soldiers and rubbed in the dirt and then thrown roughly over the Lord Jesus 412 00:30:31,260 –> 00:30:32,020 Christ 413 00:30:32,180 –> 00:30:36,859 Because the whole point of what they are doing is that they are trying to mock 414 00:30:37,400 –> 00:30:41,400 The claim of Christ and the identity of Christ the king 415 00:30:42,119 –> 00:30:46,780 It’s very interesting. Have you noticed that Mark says that the robe was purple so does John 416 00:30:47,939 –> 00:30:49,939 Matthew says it was scarlet and 417 00:30:50,859 –> 00:30:54,239 Several commentators point out. I’m sure that this is right that 418 00:30:55,160 –> 00:30:58,520 The color of this old tatty piece of cloth 419 00:30:59,300 –> 00:31:02,859 Was so faded it could hardly be recognized Matthew says 420 00:31:03,579 –> 00:31:08,040 Scarlet, perhaps it was once scarlet. Perhaps it was once purple. But this thing is so 421 00:31:09,099 –> 00:31:11,099 bleached out 422 00:31:11,579 –> 00:31:15,660 There sticking a tattie old piece of cloth on him 423 00:31:16,819 –> 00:31:19,239 here’s the king’s robe and 424 00:31:19,880 –> 00:31:23,979 Of course the King needs a crown. So where were we going to get a crown at this time of day? 425 00:31:23,979 –> 00:31:25,979 Oh, someone goes over and gets some 426 00:31:26,760 –> 00:31:29,260 Thorn branches and twist them together and 427 00:31:29,739 –> 00:31:35,359 Place is them on the head of Christ again. I think that the primary intent here was not to 428 00:31:36,459 –> 00:31:43,359 increase the physical suffering of Jesus though it must have done that but but they’re making a fool of him and 429 00:31:44,819 –> 00:31:47,060 They are mocking him. That’s what’s going on here 430 00:31:47,060 –> 00:31:52,420 So here’s here’s your robe and here’s your crown and and then a king of course needs a scepter 431 00:31:52,900 –> 00:31:58,900 Now Matthew tells us that they got a stick or a stuff and they put it in his hands 432 00:31:59,020 –> 00:32:03,000 Mark doesn’t mention that notice what he does say about the staff in 433 00:32:03,939 –> 00:32:05,939 verse 19. He says 434 00:32:07,020 –> 00:32:13,760 that again and again verse 19 they struck him on the head with a staff and 435 00:32:14,680 –> 00:32:18,020 they spit on him now you put these two things together and 436 00:32:18,219 –> 00:32:19,660 And 437 00:32:19,660 –> 00:32:22,479 Very likely. What happened was something like this 438 00:32:22,479 –> 00:32:28,760 They’re trying to set up you see this caricature of the king with is with his rope and his crown and now he’s got to 439 00:32:28,760 –> 00:32:31,359 have his scepter so they bring out this old stick you see and 440 00:32:32,239 –> 00:32:36,839 Matthew says they thrust it into his hand, but Jesus will not participate in this charade 441 00:32:37,839 –> 00:32:39,839 He is passive 442 00:32:39,859 –> 00:32:42,859 He will not grip the stick. So the stick though 443 00:32:42,859 –> 00:32:45,400 They put it in his hands it falls to the ground. They pick it up again 444 00:32:45,719 –> 00:32:50,560 Put it in his head. Come on, you got to hold your stick. This is your scepter it falls to the ground 445 00:32:51,540 –> 00:32:53,540 So someone picks it up 446 00:32:54,060 –> 00:32:57,680 if you won’t hold your scepter, here’s what we’ll do to you with it and 447 00:33:00,040 –> 00:33:05,099 They hit him over the head with the staff again and again and they spit on 448 00:33:06,040 –> 00:33:08,260 him Mark says now, this is 449 00:33:08,979 –> 00:33:10,979 if you can picture it now the 450 00:33:11,339 –> 00:33:14,239 painful caricature that mark does tell us about 451 00:33:15,180 –> 00:33:19,579 The Son of God sitting in a worn-out faded robe croned with thorns 452 00:33:20,479 –> 00:33:22,239 while 453 00:33:22,239 –> 00:33:23,939 men 454 00:33:23,939 –> 00:33:25,939 laughing 455 00:33:25,979 –> 00:33:27,959 Fall on their knees 456 00:33:27,959 –> 00:33:30,400 Hail the King hail the king 457 00:33:32,599 –> 00:33:35,239 And all this Christ endured for us 458 00:33:37,959 –> 00:33:43,939 Now remember that we’re looking in the light of the New Testament at how the sufferings of Jesus speak to us today 459 00:33:45,160 –> 00:33:46,979 and 460 00:33:46,979 –> 00:33:53,920 There is a word that we use today that I think rightly relates to what Jesus endured here 461 00:33:53,920 –> 00:33:55,920 And it’s the word that we should use 462 00:33:57,579 –> 00:34:00,280 Christ was abused 463 00:34:02,739 –> 00:34:05,459 The flogging had lacerated his body 464 00:34:06,880 –> 00:34:08,879 The mocking 465 00:34:09,379 –> 00:34:11,379 Lacerated his heart 466 00:34:12,260 –> 00:34:16,300 Christ was abused physically and 467 00:34:16,860 –> 00:34:19,419 Christ was abused emotionally a 468 00:34:20,979 –> 00:34:23,899 Gang humiliates him 469 00:34:25,739 –> 00:34:27,739 Stripping him of all dignity 470 00:34:29,060 –> 00:34:32,280 He was taunted and ridiculed 471 00:34:34,139 –> 00:34:36,139 You call yourself a King 472 00:34:37,500 –> 00:34:39,500 You’re nothing 473 00:34:41,580 –> 00:34:43,600 And they spit on 474 00:34:45,120 –> 00:34:47,120 Him 475 00:34:48,919 –> 00:34:50,919 Now some 476 00:34:51,379 –> 00:34:53,379 in this congregation 477 00:34:54,760 –> 00:34:57,360 Have endured terrible abuse 478 00:34:59,379 –> 00:35:01,379 Physically 479 00:35:02,219 –> 00:35:04,219 Emotionally 480 00:35:05,399 –> 00:35:07,959 You have felt that you were nothing 481 00:35:07,959 –> 00:35:15,719 You have been told you are nothing 482 00:35:17,139 –> 00:35:23,639 And in your mind you may think God cannot know what this is like 483 00:35:24,760 –> 00:35:32,959 And I’m saying to you from the scriptures today that the Son of God has been there 484 00:35:34,439 –> 00:35:36,699 And He would come to you today 485 00:35:37,179 –> 00:35:42,340 And he would say to you, I will walk with you through this 486 00:35:45,360 –> 00:35:48,060 And I am say it with me softly your 487 00:35:48,939 –> 00:35:50,659 comfort 488 00:35:50,659 –> 00:35:52,659 your direction and 489 00:35:53,139 –> 00:35:55,139 your strength 490 00:35:56,639 –> 00:36:02,080 His suffering makes him the Savior he is 491 00:36:06,760 –> 00:36:11,340 You see how the sufferings of Jesus speak to the realities of life today 492 00:36:13,979 –> 00:36:15,979 When you suffer 493 00:36:17,419 –> 00:36:19,419 Come to Jesus for comfort 494 00:36:20,379 –> 00:36:25,439 Come to him for comfort. He’s not on the cross now. He’s gone through this he’s risen. He’s ascended 495 00:36:25,439 –> 00:36:29,340 He’s at the right hand of the father and this Lord Jesus Christ who’s been there 496 00:36:30,899 –> 00:36:32,899 He invites you 497 00:36:33,100 –> 00:36:34,540 to come to him 498 00:36:34,540 –> 00:36:38,120 For him to walk with you if you are feeling powerless 499 00:36:39,199 –> 00:36:46,300 falsely accused if you find yourself in great physical pain if you find yourself ridiculed counted as nothing 500 00:36:47,100 –> 00:36:50,919 You may find a sort of temptation within you to turn away from God 501 00:36:50,919 –> 00:36:57,840 That is the last thing you do this Lord Jesus Christ is the one person you turn to in the agonies of life 502 00:36:59,360 –> 00:37:01,360 He’s been there 503 00:37:02,340 –> 00:37:09,800 Come to Him today. Draw near to Him to this Savior for your comfort and 504 00:37:10,939 –> 00:37:17,219 Then follow this Christ for direction, you know, it’s not every day that you suffer and 505 00:37:18,659 –> 00:37:20,659 when you do if 506 00:37:20,800 –> 00:37:27,959 You follow Christ through it. It may be the single most important era of your life 507 00:37:28,780 –> 00:37:33,139 The Bible tells us about Stephen the first Christian martyr and 508 00:37:34,620 –> 00:37:37,820 When he was being stoned awful suffering 509 00:37:38,500 –> 00:37:41,780 the Bible says his face was like an angel the 510 00:37:42,300 –> 00:37:44,560 likeness to Jesus Christ was seen more 511 00:37:44,760 –> 00:37:50,300 Clearly in this man in his suffering than at any other time in his ministry and he was involved in all kinds of things in 512 00:37:50,300 –> 00:37:52,300 the early church 513 00:37:52,679 –> 00:37:57,699 So if you are enduring suffering today you walk with this Christ 514 00:37:58,739 –> 00:38:02,340 Maybe the most important thing in all of your life 515 00:38:04,860 –> 00:38:09,719 Come to him for comfort follow him for direction and trust him 516 00:38:11,199 –> 00:38:17,399 Trust in for strength because this Jesus suffered as no one else has ever suffered 517 00:38:18,820 –> 00:38:20,239 And 518 00:38:20,239 –> 00:38:22,040 He endured it 519 00:38:22,040 –> 00:38:26,360 He came through it. He was not overcome by it. He triumphed over it 520 00:38:26,679 –> 00:38:28,679 he sits at the right hand of the Father in 521 00:38:28,760 –> 00:38:34,320 Glory on high and his promise and his purpose is that he will bring many sons and daughters through it 522 00:38:35,280 –> 00:38:37,280 to join him in glory for all eternity 523 00:38:38,699 –> 00:38:43,520 And you can’t trust this Jesus like you could trust no one else in all of the world 524 00:38:45,159 –> 00:38:51,120 He has said I will never leave you and I will never forsake you and 525 00:38:52,020 –> 00:38:55,439 When we know that and when we trust him in that you 526 00:38:55,620 –> 00:39:00,919 Also will be able to say because he is at my right hand. I 527 00:39:01,840 –> 00:39:03,800 Shall not 528 00:39:03,800 –> 00:39:05,379 Be shaken 529 00:39:05,379 –> 00:39:07,379 Let’s pray together 530 00:39:08,959 –> 00:39:10,959 Comfort 531 00:39:11,300 –> 00:39:13,300 Direction 532 00:39:13,840 –> 00:39:15,840 Strength 533 00:39:16,719 –> 00:39:21,479 Father all over this congregation, we are people who need comfort 534 00:39:22,239 –> 00:39:24,239 Direction 535 00:39:25,659 –> 00:39:27,659 Strength 536 00:39:28,360 –> 00:39:30,360 Lord Jesus Christ 537 00:39:32,080 –> 00:39:34,080 You are all that we need 538 00:39:36,399 –> 00:39:38,399 We come to you 539 00:39:39,800 –> 00:39:41,800 We trust you 540 00:39:42,560 –> 00:39:44,560 We would follow you 541 00:39:46,399 –> 00:39:48,399 Hear our prayer 542 00:39:48,399 –> 00:39:51,239 In Jesus name