Mark 15 reminds me of the darkest day. Many people immediately know the worst day of their life. Well-meaning friends tell you that you will bounce back, but in truth, fine crystal does not bounce, it shatters. To those that keep finding broken shards, every day brings a new reminder. Today’s chapter includes the view from eternity. We begin after Jesus was betrayed, arrested, and abandoned. “Very early in the morning they bound Jesus, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate”. Rome did not allow the Jewish nation to execute criminals, so Jesus had to be tried before Pilate. The charge was treason against Caesar’s political authority, hence Pilot’s question, “Are you the king of the Jews?” The accused had the right to defend themselves against charges, yet Jesus “made no reply, and Pilate was amazed”. Why did He offer no defense? The answer is that Jesus was to be the once and for all time sacrifice for mankind. Isaiah prophesied, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). Only a sinless sacrifice can pay the debt of others, even those that mock, degrade and ridicule Him.
Next we read of the custom of releasing a prisoner during the festival. Often we see Barabbas as a dirty, vile criminal, but it is very possible that he was the son of a Rabbi. His name literally means “Bar Abba”, or son of the father, (a man of status). He was a revolutionary against the brutal Roman army, accused of murder during an uprising. He was not a common thief. Consider this as the choice presented to the Jews gathered in Jerusalem, “shall I free Robin Hood, or the man claiming to be Messiah?” Of Jesus, they shouted “Crucify Him!” “He had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified”. Barabbas traded places with a completely innocent man. Perhaps for the first time, he understood his own guilt as he stepped out of prison into freedom. Friend, are you still in prison?
The chapter closes with the brutality of the Roman execution. It was barbaric; designed to cause pain and humiliation. After being flogged, they “twisted together a crown of thorns… struck Him on the head with a staff and spit on Him… mocked Him… Then they led Him out to crucify Him”. At nine in the morning they crucified Him with the charge posted above His head, “the king of the jews”. We read that “They crucified two rebels with Him”. It is very possible these were accomplices of Barabbas. “Those who passed by hurled insults at Him… ‘He saved others, but He can’t save Himself!’” For His friends, family and disciples this was the end of the world. This was not what they hoped and believed. “At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon… Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” When Jesus breathed His last breath, “The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom”. This was the curtain that separated the Ark of the Covenant (the dwelling place of God) from mankind. In the darkest hour, the Son destroyed the barrier separating God and Man. By faith, our sin is covered by the blood of the Lamb of God. Hebrews 10 declares, “Therefore, brothers and sisters… enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus… through the curtain, that is, His body… let us draw near to God… with the full assurance that faith brings… Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful”. As evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus’ body. In haste, they wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. My friend, today may seem dark, but Sunday is coming. The story is not yet finished.