Mark 15 - 07.24.25
SCRIPTURE
Mark 15:15-20 NIV
“Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate…had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be—crucified. The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on HIM, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again—-they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify HIM.”
OBSERVATION
Pilate knew Jesus was innocent of political rebellion, which was Pilate’s primary concern. He also recognized that this was a frame-up. “Pilate realized that it was out of jealousy over Jesus’ popularity that the Chief Priests wanted Jesus crucified” (vs 10). However, Pilate did not want a riot on his hands, and it was clear that the crowd, stirred up by the Chief Priests, was turning against Jesus. “Wanting to satisfy the crowd” Pilate had Jesus flogged and handed Him over to be crucified.
The soldiers were given a simple assignment: Jesus was to be flogged then taken to the hill to be crucified. But they had another idea. They wanted to have some fun first.
The flogging was commanded and The crucifixion was ordered—but who draws pleasure out of spitting, beating, and mocking a man who is already half-dead?
Jesus endured a flogging with leather straps that had pieces of lead, bone, and metal at the end of the straps—all meant to tear out pieces of flesh with each lash. Up to 40 lashes were given depending on the severity of the Crime. Flogging almost always preceded crucifixion as they wanted to bring a victim “up to” the point of death—causing the maximum amount of pain and suffering without actually dying.
After the flogging, Jesus entire body was torn open and bleeding, leaving Him in a state of severe physical and mental trauma, shock, and in excruciating pain.
The guards took Jesus back into Pilate’s headquarters. The entire company of soldiers were called in to participate—which could be upwards of two hundred. Someone got the bright idea to weave a crown of thorns for “The King of the Jews” (His Crime) and jam it on his head. They took off his clothes and put a purple robe on him and gave him a Staff to be a scepter. Then they struck Him on the head with the Staff—again and again—while spitting on Him. “They struck Him on the head—again and again”.
This would have dug the thorns from the crown—into his head—deeper and deeper— with each striking blow.
All of this had been prophesied: Isaiah had written, “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.” “His face was so disfigured He seemed hardly human” (Isaiah 50:6, 52:14-53:6)
APPLICATION
Take every Need to Jesus—HE Knows Your Pain
Why did JESUS suffer Crucifixion on the Cross?
The wages of sin is death. We all have a destination. That destination is hell. We are born in sin and our flesh wants to sin. We are incapable of saving ourselves. We have ALL sinned. And we all continue to struggle with the flesh.
IF we say we have no sin—then we are calling God a liar (1 John 1:10).
Jesus-being Fully God and Fully Human-came to earth and lived a perfect life. His life was not taken from Him. HE came to earth to freely Give His life as payment for the remission of sins.
God Loves us and desires relationship with us. But our sin separates us from a Perfect and Holy God.
God is also Just and must punish sin. In His Love God sent His one and only Son-Jesus-to be the ONE time-Perfect Sacrifice. All punishment for ALL sin was laid upon Jesus at the time of His crucifixion.
So anyone who Believes IN Jesus can receive forgiveness for their sins—the forgiveness that Jesus paid in Full—on the Cross.
Jesus conquered death when his body was resurrected. Demonstrating that all who Believe in Jesus will have resurrection life. Death no longer has any sting.
And this IS the GOOD NEWS!
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10 NLT)
“After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.” (John 17:1-3 NLT)
TODAY You can Know—that If you have pain that You think no one will ever understand, think about what Jesus suffered. He was flogged and His skin was ripped off of Him. His word says that HE did this SO that we can KNOW that By the stripes of those lashes across His body—we receive Healing. His blood spilled is our Wholeness.
He was spit upon and beaten until He was not even recognizable. Jesus chose this. Not because He enjoyed being abused. Because any pain you suffer—HE Knows Your pain. He understands humiliation, hurt, abandonment. At the Cross He refused the myrrh which was a numbing agent. He experienced every pain for our benefit. At anytime He could have stopped any part of it. But He accepted every part of it for us.
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
Forgive me for the times I have asked “where are You in this season”. Forgive me for the times I have doubted the plan, feared, worried, questioned. I am beyond Thankful that You came and did what is so unthinkable and so unimaginable. Thank You for pursuing me. Help me Lord Jesus to Follow Close to You and be obedient To You. I want like Paul to say I am a slave to Jesus Christ. Here I am Lord. Empty me of myself, Fill me with Your Spirit and Use me for Your glory.
Tina L Kudelka