The Suffering Saviour

The suffering Saviour         Mark 15:27-38

These verses record details about the hours that the Saviour spent on the cross. A full account of what is revealed of that time can only be had by putting together the four gospel accounts. Mark’s account is short and concise, emphasizing just a few aspects of the Saviour’s suffering.

I  COUNTED AS A SINNER.

Cp v27-28. No doubt this was intended as an insult to the Saviour by His detractors and enemies. Yet it was an important aspect of His suffering as is clear from the fact that it was carefully prophesied 80o years before.

1. An obvious distinction. Only 2 of the 3 persons are identified as criminal wrong doers. He was not what they were though He died with them. He was in fact the faultless King of Israel.
2. He died identified with sinners. There is no more important feature of the Saviour’s suffering than this. The whole reason for His sufferings is brought into view at this point. The doctrine of substitutionary atonement is seen. Cp 2Cor 5:21, 1Pe 2:21-25.
3. An act of obedience on Christ’s part. He died as it was written. His life and death were governed by the Scriptures.

II  MOCKED BY MEN.

Cp v29-32. Evidence is given here of the unremitting, pitiless way in which men despised the Saviour. Even in His dying hours rather than become an object of compassion He was mocked and despised to the last.

1. His royal claim. This was the focal point of their mockery. It seemed to them a ridiculous thing that One who was a King should die thus. Theirs was the spirit of the defiant rebel—refusing His authority over them, refusing His law, refusing to submit to such a King as this.
2. They mocked because they did not understand His word. Mark cites one instance of the Saviour’s own teaching that is now taken up and used to abuse Him. However, it is obvious that they did not understand His words. It is striking to see that they used truth that would be vindicated in just 3 days! Men’s jesting at Christ is destined to be short lived and to bring a terrible harvest! Prov 1:25-26.
3. The parties who engaged in this raillery, v29, 31, 32. How widespread is the spirit that mocks Christ!
4. A devilish device. The jests and taunts of these wicked men had the object of having Him abandon the cross. As agents of the devil, they demonstrate the same purpose of Satan, to prevent the Saviour finishing the work of atonement. Cp v36.

III  SMITTEN AND FORSAKEN BY GOD.

The sufferings of Christ went beyond the physical and mental anguish caused by crucifixion and by the abuse of men. Only one aspect of His physical anguish is alluded to here, v36—a response to His cry I thirst. 7

1. The torments of the damned. In the darkness that descended there was a physical representation of the sufferings through which Christ passed. Cp Matt 25:30. It is clear from the climax of this period that He was dealing directly with the Father. Cp Zech 13:7, Is 53:10.
2. He was forsaken by His Father. The climax of His suffering was a conscious sense of being forsaken. In a marvelous way, the conscious sense of the presence of His Father was withdrawn from His humanity. This is part of the punishment of sin and the Saviour must suffer it for His people. His faith did not fail—my God… These words can at times and in a limited way apply to God’s servants. He cites words that David used, Ps 22:1. Cp Job 13:15
3. Again His Biblical language is misunderstood, v34-35. It is clear that the thinking of His hearers is influenced by their own misguided notions about the work of the King and the prophesies concerning Elijah’s role in the nation, Mal 4:5 etc.

IV  HIS TRIUMPHANT DEATH.

1. The shout of victory, v37. He did not die with a whisper but a loud voice. This was His great cry It is finished, Jn 19:30.
2. In control, v37. There is an important aspect of the triumph of His death seen here. Cp Luke 23:46. He gave up His life, it was not taken from Him. His life was voluntarily resigned as a sacrifice. Cp Jn 10:18.
3. The way to God was open. A dramatic symbolic explanation of His death occurred at the very moment in the Temple. The veil was torn from top to bottom. That veil symbolized the fatal separation between God and man because of sin. Its Levitical importance was that it could only be passed by the High Priest himself and only with the blood of atonement. All this was now accomplished in Christ’s death. Cp Heb 9:7-15. The sinner who had been barred from God’s presence was now admitted through the redemption purchased by Christ. It also signified the end of the Levitical era. No need now for sacrifices, or priests or symbols of atonement since the thing symbolized was done. Cp Heb 10:12.