Introduction: Let’s face it. Jesus was born to die. He came to pay the penalty for our sins. Through His redeeming blood our sins are forgiven. As we have seen, the last week of our Lord was filled with specific prophetic  events with Him being anointed, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, and instituting the Last Supper, as well as the Garden of Gethsemane experience, and then the arrest and mock trial. Next, we will look at His awful crucifixion all according to the gospel of Mark. 

1. Before the Execution/ Crucifixion! (Mark 15:16 -20)

“16And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. 17And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, 18And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! 19And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 20And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.”

Having the privilege of being right there in the Praetorian hall a few years ago, I can tell you it was an eerie experience. Cold, dark, and damp describes the place – and demonic. 

2. The Crucifixion! (Mark 14:21-26)

“And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.”

Interestingly enough that Jesus said that if we want to follow Him, then we must take up our cross daily. 

“22And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. 24And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. 25And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. 26And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Beneath the cross the rugged Roman soldiers gambled for His garments. One centurion recognized Jesus as the Som of God. Jesus was portrayed by Matthew’s gospel as the King of the Jews. While they rejected Him in His first appearance, when He comes back to the earth they will look upon Him whom they’ve pierced and mourn….and Israel will be saved in a day. 

3. During the Crucifixion! (Mark 14:27 -32)

“And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 28And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. 29And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 32Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.”

One thief was saved. One thief was lost.

(Mark 15:45-55)

“45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 48And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 50Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and  appeared unto many. 54Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. 55And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.”

God the Son became sin for us. While no sin was in Him all of our sins were on Him. Therefore, a curtain was dropped from heaven. God the Father could not even look at His Son who became sin that the righteousness of God would be upon all who put their faith and trust in Him. Try to explain that!

Conclusion: While it does the believer good to remember the high and costly price Jesus Christ paid for our sin debt and forgiveness, it doesn’t finish His ultimate purpose for coming to this earth. The next devotion will explain that.