The Gospel of Mark #25: Study Questions

Kyle Bartholic   -   July 4, 2024

The Crucifixion

Mark 15:15-32 (CGS#25)

INTRODUCTION:  The Cross is one of those things that just doesn’t make sense to our modern sensibilities. Why would God need to go to such lengths? Or, we might ask, why is the cross necessary? And, what does it say about him that he did? The problem, in our minds, doesn’t begin with God. Instead, it begins with us. We see ourselves as mostly good or even inherently good. That is, goodness is an essential quality of the human condition. And if we are mostly good, we don’t need some extreme measure, such as death on a cross for salvation. That makes a god who went to such extreme measures look quite vengeful or unhinged. However, this view starts with humanity and then extends towards God. But what would we see if we started with God and extended towards humanity? We would see a being who is perfectly good. That is not mostly good, but absolutely good and only ever producing goodness, which reframes our whole existence where our “mostly good” nature suddenly feels like a hollow and empty reflection of something truly greater. This presents a whole new picture of the cross. Not one where a vengeful god takes unnecessary wrath out, but one of faithfulness, mercy, and total sufficiency. Why? Because if we are inherently good, we ultimately do not need a totally sufficient external means of salvation. However, since we are not inherently good, we do need a means of salvation that is totally sufficient. Jesus is our sufficient Savior, and the cross was a radical act of mercy.

Here is how one scholar summarizes the crucifixion account in Mark’s Gospel. “The Roman soldiers lead Jesus away (Mark 15:16). They seem to take special pains to ensure that Jesus is mocked to the maximum degree. Imagine a crown of thorns pressed into your skull like a series of nails hammered into place. The manifold disgrace that the soldiers heap upon Jesus probably exceeds the way in which they would carry out the punishment of common criminals. The irony is unmistakable. The purple robe, the crown of thorns, the chanting and acclaiming as “King of the Jews,” the reed, the kneeling and bowing—it all bears royal connotations. They are clearly mocking him, but just as clearly, the reader recognizes the truth hidden behind the scorn. Jesus is royalty; he should be dressed in royal robes with a crown and a reed (or scepter). They should anoint him, hail him as King, and bow before him. The truth of Jesus’ deity is suppressed, but at the same time they almost can’t help expressing it, even in a twisted and perverted way. All eternity hinges on this question: do you see what everyone else in the story missed? Jesus is the divine King, who should be received and worshiped by the Jews and Gentiles, but instead he was rejected and condemned by the Jews and Gentiles in fulfillment of the Father’s plan to save the Jews and the Gentiles. Seeing this truth means that you can no longer live as the king of your life or try to save yourself—your King came from heaven to earth to take your place and bring you salvation. Embrace him as Savior. Hail him as Lord. Worship him as God.” [1]

 

We ask again, why was the cross necessary?  It was necessary that if we were going to experience salvation, it could not come from us. Instead, we need the one who is perfectly good to do for us what we could never do on our own. The cross shows us the faithfulness, mercy, and sufficiency of God.

 

GETTING STARTED – As a group, take time to answer this question. What was something that you thought was going to be as good as advertised but then didn’t live up to the hype?

 

IN THE WORD –   Let’s dig back into the passage(s). It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.

First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)

Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.

 

 

Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?

 

 

Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?

 

Note: Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following questions. [2]

  1. When you look at the cross, how do you see God’s faithfulness, mercy, and sufficiency in it?
  2. What are those things in your life that you unconsciously think are sufficient as God is sufficient?
  3. Why is indifference an inappropriate response to Jesus? What would you say to someone who is indifferent to him?
  4. Do you ever find that you have become numb to the glories of the cross because the story is so familiar? How can you help yourself to experience the story afresh?
  5. What comfort does Mark’s account of the lead-up to the cross give us in times when we ourselves are suffering?

 

 

 

[1] Jason Meyer, Mark for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2022), 235–236.

[2] Questions #2-5 are from: Jason Meyer, Mark for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2022), 239.