An exposition of Mark 15:21-32. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, April 7, 2008.
It stands as the center of our faith. In our day the absolute necessity of the cross has been brought into question. Do we really need a bloody cross to appease a wrathful God? We must return to a centrality of the cross in our preaching and teaching, we need to stand at the foot of the cross until we understand fully the beauty of the cross until we drink it all in. Why would an instrument of torture and death cause us to worship?
The striking thing about the accounts of the crucifixion in the combined gospel accounts is the economy of words; notice how little is said. There is an awe of silence surrounding it, as this is a holy moment. While this was happening physically in time and space, Jesus was entering in behind the veil of the Holy of Holies in the heavenly realm. The cross captures the deep dimension of the work of Christ on behalf of his people. The great significance of the love of God for sinners like me and you is demonstrated in the cross.
- The cross reveals a redeemer with incomparable love. See here the love of a God who would do such a thing for sinners. Romans 5:8; John 15:13. Perhaps Jesus’ pain was worse than any man’s because his love was perfect.
- The cross reveals a king whose throne was an object of shame. Galatians 3:13. But it is because of this cross that Jesus is who he is: Philippians 2:5-11.
- The cross reveals a savior who refused to save himself. Listen to the hiss of the serpent in the background. The call to come down was the call to deny the will of God.