Mark 15 April 16, 2017 Easter Sunday Christ Our Hope Introduction: The story, though familiar, never grows old or fails to stir my heart, prick my emotions, or deepen my gratitude. Grateful because: I know the purpose and outcome of Christ death on the cross. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV I know the outcome three days later. But, the witnesses of Christ s crucifixion did not have the luxury of knowing what we know now. They watched Him be removed from the cross and buried. I want to explore some of the feelings, emotions, and responses of that day. I. Four unique portraits on the day of Christ s crucifixion. (Some speculation) A. John the Apostle Have I wasted my time devoting myself and investing myself in this relationship? 1. His call 3 years before When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him. Mark 1:19-20 NKJV 2. Devotion led to inner circle status a. Mark 5 room of synagogue ruler s daughter b. Mark 9 transfiguration c. Mark 14 Gethsemane 1
3. Place at Passover head on Jesus chest (John 13) 4. Entrusted with Mary s care When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" 27 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. John 19:26-27 NKJV 5. Gave up a lot in 3 years (income, vocation, family) 6. It is finished 7. Wrapped up and buried 8. Has the investment been a waste of my time? B. Thomas Should I have trusted my cynical instincts? 1. Thomas had questioned the sacrificing of Jesus and His words just hours before His death "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know." 5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" John 14:1-5 NKJV 2. Too ambiguous or good to be true 3. Had to be a catch somewhere 4. At the cross, I knew it was too good to be true! 5. Should have remained cynical it s safer C. Mary Magdalene Have I built my life and all of my hopes on a lie? 1. 13 times in the New Testament delivered of 7 demons (Mark 16:9) 2. The torment/unrest before she met Jesus 3. Gave up all and followed Jesus (likely no family) 4. Loyal to the call Last one to leave the cross First one to arrive at the tomb 5. But was it all a farce? A cruel joke? A fantasy? 6. The one who exorcised her demons had given in to the cross! 2
D. Peter Have I sinned so greatly and failed too deeply to ever be forgiven? 1. Like John, called to follow Jesus from a life of fishing. 2. Also part of the inner circle. 3. Famous for talking before he thought (imagine Peter on social media). a. Transfiguration b. Get behind me Satan 4. Possessed leadership ability and discernment (Matthew 16 You are the Christ) 5. Promised he would not disown Jesus But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." Luke 22:33 NKJV 6. Sword in the garden (ear of High Priest s servant) 7. 3 times denied Jesus when push came to shove Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed at a distance. 55 Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him." 57 But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him." 58 And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" 59 Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean." 60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly. Luke 22:54-62 NKJV 8. Now He s dead! 9. Failure too great. Imagine how all four of them felt! What a difference 3 days would make! INSERT AUDIO OF JOHN 20:1-18 AND JOHN 20:24-28 3
II. Four very different responses to Christ s resurrection. A. John My investment was worth it! He s alive! 1. Preached, wrote 1, 2, 3, John Revelation 2. Exiled in Patmos 3. Great leader of the early church Ephesus 4. Not wasted B. Thomas at first, maintained his cynicism 1. Saw nail print My Lord and My God! 2. Martyred by a pagan priest near India 3. Cynicism gone! He s alive! C. Mary Magdalene My deliverance is real! It s not a fairy tale! I am free! His resurrection makes me know for sure! D. Peter no failure is so great that it cannot be forgiven! 1. Days later restored John 21 2. Another chapter 3. Incredible ministry Acts 4. Resurrection made the difference III. The Resurrection changes everything. If in this life only we have hope in Christ A. Some like John 1. Is investment in the Kingdom worth it? 2. Sacrifice, time, pain? 3. Reputation of being a believer 4. Resurrection makes it worth it. B. Some like Thomas 1. Questions, doubts, cynicism 2. His resurrection changes it all 3. Nothing is impossible your dreams can come true! 4
C. Some like Mary Magdalene 1. Had great experiences 2. Felt you knew God 3. Tough times have come 4. Do I press on? 5. Do I give up and walk away? 6. Is it worth it to pursue? 7. The Resurrection says yes! D. Some like Peter I have sinned too greatly! 1. Broken promises 2. Sins too great, too many 3. Made a mess of things 4. The Resurrection says there is hope! Conclusion: One last portrait And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!" Mark 15:37-39 NKJV 1. Not a follower of Christ at all 2. Just doing his job drove the nails, cast lots, crown on his head 3. Saw the pain, agony, cruelty 4. Sensed the presence of God 5. Truly this was the Son of God 6. Three days later not surprised 7. Do you sense God s presence? 5