Humiliation > Mark 15:16-32
15:16-20 Before Jesus is led to the cross, the soldiers humiliate and mock Him.
15:21-24 The soldiers force Simon to carry the cross for Christ. Arriving at Golgotha, the soldiers crucify Jesus, before callously dividing up His possessions right there and then.
15:25-32 A placard is placed above Christ’s head, listing the “crime” that He is being crucified for, no doubt intended as a warning to anybody else who would claim to be a king. Passersby, the chief priests and scribes, even the robbers crucified alongside Him all mock and reject Christ.
Emphasis: Christ is enduring the horrible, degrading, shameful punishment that a law-breaker deserves.
Context: What started as an unjust trial, calculated only to condemn Jesus – even without evidence – has now turned into the crucifixion of Jesus. His death on the cross and then burial will soon follow.
Theme: Christ is mocked as if He were powerless, yet His sacrifice is what all sinners need from their true King.
Gospel: We read in the New Testament that Christ died for us (1 Cor 15:3-4). This death was a fulfillment of prophecy (Isa 53:7-8). Ultimately, His sacrifice brings forgiveness of our sins (Rom 5:8).
Applications: Rom 6:23 tells us what we deserve – death, on account of our sins; but what we who trust in Christ receive instead is eternal life in Christ. Jesus endures what we deserve to offer to us what we don’t. Do you trust Him? Do you belong to Christ? Is that belief shown in how you devote yourself to the Lord? In how you care about and for others? How does being Jesus’ disciple change your daily life?
