IN MY PLACE CONDEMNED HE STOOD

The night has passed and morning has come. Now, in the clear light of day, on that first Good Friday, we behold the awful sinfulness of man set side by side with the amazing love of the Savior. Jesus has already stood condemned before the Jewish Council, and now they bring him to stand trial before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, in order for his execution to be achieved. At every turn, Jesus is shown to be innocent. So why did he stand trial? Why will he be sentenced to die? Because, Jesus stands trial for us, and as us. Listen to this past Sunday’s sermon and be amazed by the love of Jesus for you.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

ANSWERING THE BIGGEST QUESTION OF THE ENTIRE BOOK

In this text, Jesus is on trial...and so is everyone else. All the characters in the story are bearing witness to the reader, responding to the attorney’s question - as it were - “Now, in your own words, could you tell us just who this Jesus is?”

As we come to the end of the Gospel of Mark, this central question - the big question of the entire Book - is being answered. The Sanhedrin offers their answer. Peter offers his answer driven by fear. But Jesus answers truly and faithfully - for love of those He came to save. What’s your answer?

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HE REMAINS FAITHFUL EVEN WHEN WE ARE FAITHLESS

"The hour has come," (Mark 14:41). Judas the betrayer is at hand, and the Son of Man is seized by sinful hands. Every moment that follows is one that leads unalterably toward the cross. The cross which is simultaneously the greatest expression of God's faithfulness to his people and promises and the awful height of man's utter unfaithfulness to God. Every human character in this scene falls woefully short. Each person is either a horrific traitor, a coward, a false accuser or just bent on unjust violence. But Jesus? He remains in complete control. And He remains faithful.

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JESUS IN THE GARDEN, COMMITTING TO OBEY THE FATHER

Jesus and his disciples came to the Garden of Gethsemane, taking one step closer to the cross. He enters into the Garden and endures a terrible torment. Asking if at all possible the cup he was about to drink would be removed from him. This close to the cross, Christ gazes into its horrors more clearly than ever before. Looking to the bottom of the cup of God's wrath and agonizing over the reality that he'd have to drink it down to its very dregs. He, "the beloved Son," in whom God has never been anything but "well-pleased," would experience his Father's holy displeasure toward sin. This wrestling in prayer concludes with the Son's complete expression of obedience to the Father's plan, "Yet not what I will, but what you will" (14:36). Yet, way before this text is applied to us as a reason to obey even when it's hard, and to honor God's will like Jesus, the point is that Jesus is in the Garden obeying because we'd disobeyed God.

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A MEAL THAT GROUNDS BELIEF IN REALITY

In Mk 14:12-26, Jesus gives his friends a meal that will teach them, remind them, and reassure them of what he's dying for. On that day when the Passover lambs were being sacrificed all throughout Jerusalem (14:12), the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world was preparing to offer his body and spill his blood to atone for his people's sin. Jesus took the Passover, said it was about him, and gave his people a meal so that we could remember his death and all it accomplished until we entered into the full experience of its blessings: face to face and raising a glass with the Son of God in his Kingdom fully come (14:25).

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GREEDY FOR JESUS OR MONEY?

The unnamed woman in Mark 14 who in other places is said to be Mary, the sister of Lazarus (Jn 12:3), prepares Jesus' body to be buried by anointing it with perfume. Her act of honoring Jesus through this costly sacrifice points forward to the worth of his coming sacrifice. While Mary's action shows that she has no greater treasure than Christ, this is not so with Judas. He looks "for worldly treasure, and forsakes the King of kings," as he conspires with Jesus' opponents to turn him over to them in exchange for money (and 30 pieces of silver at that! Not even half the price of the perfume). Mark intends for this to strike our hearts: what are you captivated by? Money and the things of this world? Or Jesus? Listen to Sunday’s sermon to learn more.

Listen to the sermon here

FURTHER RESOURCES ON THE RETURN OF CHRIST

This past Sunday we considered what Jesus had to say about his second coming. We dove into the doctrine of eschatology (the study of the last things) and were reminded that amidst our curiosity, speculation, and the potential to be distracted when it comes to considering these matters, eschatology is about the exaltation of Jesus. Below, you’ll find some recommended resources to help you think well about the end and exalt Christ TODAY as you await the LAST DAY.

• Our Statement of Faith: Section 13 - The Last Things

• The Last Days According to Jesus: R.C. Sproul’s short and accessible lecture series or excellent book on the subject of Christ’s return

• 10 Things You Should Know About the Second Coming of Christ: An article based on Revelation 19:11-21 by Sam Storms

• Go to Work, Go to Church - Christ is Coming Back!: Practical encouragement from John Piper to live Christ-exalting lives of ordinary faithfulness as we await his return

WE NEED A VIEW OF THE LAST DAY THAT SPURS US ON TODAY

After besting his opponents in the temple and proving himself to be the true authority over that house, Jesus turns right around and prophesies its impending destruction. In response to his disciples' marveling over this structure, he tells them of a coming day in which "There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down" (13:2). For it to be done away with, signaled the end of the world as they knew it to the first century Jew. Naturally, the disciples ask, "When will this be?” And in response to this ONE crucial question, Jesus once again provides TWO answers. Jesus’ answers were intended to fill His followers with confidence because the same Christ who journeyed toward a cross will return for us and bring us into eternal joy before his throne.

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THE WIDOW’S MITE - AN EXAMPLE TO CELEBRATE AND EMULATE

In Mark 12:38-44, the religious pretense of the scribes is contrasted with the humble faith of the widow. The former fails to render themselves wholly to God and lapses in their love of neighbor - devouring widow's houses. The latter is exemplary for her total devotion to God, her offering demonstrates that she loves God and counts him as her greatest treasure. Her sacrifice points us forward to Christ's own sacrifice. "For though he was rich, yet for [our] sake he became poor, so that [we] by his poverty might become rich" (2 Cor 8:9). Jesus “gave everything he had” for us - so that we could “live on” eternally with God. Listen to Sunday’s sermon to learn more.

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WHETHER NEAR OR FAR, ONLY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST GETS YOU IN

Jesus has beaten the Pharisees & Herodians and the Sadducees at their own games, and next comes an encounter with a scribe. Jesus is asked ONE question concerning his interpretation of the Scriptures, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” (12:28). He responds to that ONE question with TWO answers. Surprisingly, the scribe commends and agrees with Jesus’ answer and Jesus replies to him, saying, “you are not far from the kingdom of God”. The scribe had judged Jesus answer, but Jesus, the Lawgiver and the Sovereign Son of God, judged the worthiness of the scribe to enter God’s kingdom. He was near. But … he was not yet in. Why? Listen to Sunday’s sermon to learn more.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE