Sermon Notes for 10/21/2012 (Mark 15:33-47)
The God Who Was Abandoned
33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, <"Eloi, Eloi, lama>"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" [34] 35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah." 36 One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said. 37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and [39] saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son [39] of God!" 40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.
42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, 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.
47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
A．The death of God
1) The darkest moment in history (33-38)
2) Witnessing this moment (39-41)
B．Watching Jesus' grave
1) The centurion, Joseph, and the women (42-46)
2) Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, watched the grave (47)
Summary
Only if you understand darkness can you truly understand light. Jesus' death was a significant turning point in history. This moment was like the darkest hour before dawn.
The people witnessing this event came from all walks of life and had different roles to fill. We can only imagine what it was like on that day, but as we reflect on the experiences of those who were there, we can get a better sense of the significance of the events around Jesus' death. While it is important to remember Jesus' victory during his time on earth, it is also important not to ignore Jesus' suffering, grief, and fear. Seeing Jesus in both his glory and his suffering was what led people to affirm: "Surely this man was the Son of God!"
For Discussion
1) Why was Pilate surprised?
2) What were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus thinking as they watched the grave?
The God Who Was Abandoned
33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, <"Eloi, Eloi, lama>
39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and [39] saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son [39] of God!" 40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.
42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, 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.
47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
1) The darkest moment in history (33-38)
2) Witnessing this moment (39-41)
B．Watching Jesus' grave
1) The centurion, Joseph, and the women (42-46)
2) Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, watched the grave (47)
Summary
Only if you understand darkness can you truly understand light. Jesus' death was a significant turning point in history. This moment was like the darkest hour before dawn.
The people witnessing this event came from all walks of life and had different roles to fill. We can only imagine what it was like on that day, but as we reflect on the experiences of those who were there, we can get a better sense of the significance of the events around Jesus' death. While it is important to remember Jesus' victory during his time on earth, it is also important not to ignore Jesus' suffering, grief, and fear. Seeing Jesus in both his glory and his suffering was what led people to affirm: "Surely this man was the Son of God!"
For Discussion
1) Why was Pilate surprised?
2) What were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus thinking as they watched the grave?