Mark: God's Servant - It is Finished

October 12, 2014

Mark: God’s Servant

It Is Finished

Mark 15:21-16:20

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Introduction

I usually begin my week with a ‘to do’ list.

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• As I work through the week...I add to and complete some tasks.
• Some weeks I find myself saying, “So much to do...so little done!”

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In John 17:4 it is recorded that Jesus said, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”

• It would be wonderful if we could all give a similar account at the end of ‘life’s journey.’
• To know that we have accomplished His work and glorified His name!

“It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.” Mark Twain

• Who better to honor today...than the Father?

Text

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1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 1 Cor. 15:1-8

Paul is reminding the Christians in Corinth of something important...the gospel.

• It was taught to them.

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• They received it.
• They stand on it.
• By IT you are being saved!

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What is the gospel?

1. Christ died for our sins...in accordance with the scripture.
2. He was buried and raised on the third day.
3. He then appeared to more than 500 people!

Lesson

There are four events described in this final section of Mark’s gospel.

• Each of these events provide the climax of the gospel and help to explain the importance of the gospel.

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The Servant’s Death - vs. 15:21-41

There are 3 time periods mentioned in these verses:

• The 3rd, 6th, and 9th hour.

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3rd Hour -

• Victims of a crucifixion were required to carry their cross or a portion of it.
• The weight was too much for Jesus to handle and Simon of Cyrene was drafted to help.
• Simon came to celebrate the Passover and ended up meeting the Passover Lamb.
• Golgotha - is a Hebrew word that means ‘skull’
• While we do not know its exact location we do know that it was outside of the city walls.
• Crucifixion was a detestable thing.
• It was shameful and was not talked about in among the ‘civilized.’
• It is interesting to me that the religious leaders hated Jesus so much that the even followed Jesus to Golgotha to mock Him.
• He’s mocked as: a Prophet (Mark 15:29), as Savior (Mark 15:31), and as King (Mark 15:32).

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6th Hour -

• A miraculous darkness came over the land...and all creation grieved with the Creator.
• This was also an announcement that judgment was coming and men had better be prepared.

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9th Hour -

• The Lord cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
• The darkness symbolized the judgment Jesus experienced when the Father forsook Him.
• As was so often the case, the people did not understand His words.
• They thought He was calling for Elijah the prophet.
• There was not only darkness over the land, but there was darkness in the minds and hearts of the people.
• And with that vs. 37 says that Jesus “breathed His last.”
• An event happened at the death of Jesus:
• The veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom.

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The Servant’s Burial - 15:42-47

• God had a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin ready to help.
• Joseph of Arimathea was assisted by Nicodemus.
• Nicodemus had come to Jesus privately then stood up for Him before the council.
• This was not a simple, passing thing...they prepared to this.

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• Joseph had a tomb that was prepared in a place near where Jesus had died.
• Joseph had to go to Pilate and ask for Jesus’ body.
• Once pronounced dead, Jesus’ body was taken down...wrapped in a linen shroud and placed in the tomb.
• Had these men not acted boldly His body would have been treated like trash.

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The Servant’s Resurrection - vs. 16:1-18

• Jesus’ resurrection is as much a part of the gospel message as is His death.

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• Paul wrote of this in Romans that He, “ was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”
• The resurrection proves that Jesus was in fact the Son of God!
• The Mary’s go to the tomb to take care of the body.

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• They wonder who will roll the stone away and find it open...surprise #1
• Inside they don’t find Jesus but a angel...surprise #2

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• “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”
• “...and Peter” - there was work to do!
• The emphasis in Mark 16:9–14 is on the unbelief of the disciples, who were mourning and weeping instead of rejoicing at the good news.
• They didn’t believe!

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The Servant’s Ascension - vs. 16:19-20

• The ‘Servant’s Passage’ in Philippians 2 is very similar to Mark.

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• He came as a servant
• He died on a cross
• He was exalted in glory
• Both also stress the need for God’s people to get the message out!

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• Our Lord’s ascension marked the completion of His earthly ministry and the beginning of His new ministry
• In heaven as High Priest and Advocate for His people.
• Seated at the right hand of God
• The King of Righteousness and King of Peace

PRAYER

Conclusion

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It is fitting that Mark’s gospel ends with the work that followers of Jesus are to do.

• The Lord wants to work in us (Phil. 2:12–13), with us (Mark 16:20), and for us (Rom. 8:28).
• The Lord’s working has not ceased, and He is still working in and through His people to save a lost world.

Jesus has returned to heaven, but His people are still on earth, and they can be His servants...IF THEY WILL!

• Will you today?

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• “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Are you serving or are you being served?