See one of the reasons we find ourselves too busy is that we think we are in control. We have a good idea or someone asks us to help and we say, “Yes” before we consider the implications. Now, I am not saying that we should not help others. But I am saying that before we jump at helping others, we should pause a few seconds or even minutes to ensure we not only understand the request, but what the impact is for us. Most of us continually add things to our schedule without removing anything. Eventually, that will lead to disaster. And the disaster comes because we haven’t stopped to consider the bigger picture. Why? Because we think we are in control.
But the truth is that we are not in control. In fact, we have little control other than that which God has given to us. In a parallel text to the passage we are reviewing today, Jesus said as much, when He told Pilate the only authority Pilate had was because God had given it to him. Pilate’s issue may not have been related to time, but it was related to the control he perceived he had. The same was true for the Sanhedrin, and the crowd, and the soldiers. But through it all, one man stood silent. One man stood poised. But this same man was beaten. And mocked. And humiliated. And yet, through it all, this man, Jesus, knew He was in the Father’s will, so He endured all that was happening to Him – because of His love for you and me. And it was Jesus who was in control. It was Jesus who bled for those whose actions were false because they falsely thought they were in control. Let’s take a look at four different falsehoods that are evident in this passage realizing the blood of Jesus covered them all.
Jesus bled for those who bring false charges against Him. (Mark 15.1-5)
The text for this week begins at dawn. The Sanhedrin have had their trial and have cast their verdict. But they are powerless to have Jesus killed because the Romans have taken that right from them. Thus, they deliver Jesus over to Pilate to be put on trial for treason at daybreak. The Roman officials conducted their business in the morning. Typically, they would seek to be done by noon in order to have the rest of the day free for recreation and leisure.
We see the charge has already been presented because Pilate mentions it in chapter 15. Pilate opens the dialogue by asking Jesus if He is the King of the Jews? Thus, he has already been informed of why Jesus has been brought to him. But this is not the only charge. Verse 3 says the Sanhedrin accused Jesus of many things. These “things” likely included disrupting the activities in the temple, teaching falsely to gather a crowd, and perhaps a fabrication that Jesus said not to pay taxes (although Mark 12.17 shows Jesus did not say that). But the key charge was the one which could get Jesus killed was one which would threaten the reign of Caesar.
Pilate again asks Jesus to respond to the charges. His only response in this entire pericope is “You have said so.” The words here are a difficult translation. Some translations say, “Yes, it is as you say.” Other, like the ESV here, say, “You have said so.” The challenge is that either translation could be correct. One is in the affirmative, while the other just acknowledges what has been said. The difference is not inconsequential. Did Jesus not tell Pilate who He was? If not, why not?
In researching this, one commentary suggested that Jesus primary mission was to the Jews. We saw this in Mark 7 where the mother came to have her daughter healed. So, the thinking goes that Jesus did answer Caiaphas in Mark 14.62 because Caiaphas was a Jew whereas the mission of the disciples was to go to the Gentile nations, including Rome, so Jesus did not respond here. This is a possibility, but I think it is the nature of the question. Caiaphas’ question was more specific – “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” The answer to that is Yes. On the other hand, Jesus did not claim to be the King of the Jews (although that is an implication of Messiah). Rather, as we know, Jesus came for all people.
We can be certain that Jesus silence was not because of His guilt, but because anything He said would be twisted against Him by those who thought they were in control. But despite their apparent power, Jesus presence always caused others to be amazed and Pilate now had his turn to be dumbfounded by Jesus. We must realize that we can be amazed at what Jesus does, but not have faith in who Jesus is. Pilate was in awe that Jesus would allow others to make malicious charges against Him without speaking up for Himself. But Jesus’ purpose was greater. And despite the hatred they had for Him, Jesus shed His blood for them as well.
Jesus bled for those who show false concern for Him. (Mark 15.6-15)
We now turn to Pilate. You may have heard a good deal about Pilate’s character. In the Bible, he is seen as kind of wishy-washy. He looks like he might care for Jesus a bit. Or perhaps, he is concerned with the dream his wife had (Matthew 27.19). But there is more to this story. Pilate despised the Jews and they despised him as well.
Pilate usually lived in Caesarea Maritima, but for Jewish festivals (especially Passover) he traveled to Jerusalem to help keep the peace. The soldiers he took with him were not of the official Roman guard, but were citizens of the surrounding lands (including Samaria, for instance) which had been trained by Rome. Thus, these soldiers were despised by Israel as well. Pilate intentionally did a few things which caused him a great deal of trouble with Israel. One was that he built aqueducts to bring water into Jerusalem (a good act), but used money from the temple treasury, and in the ensuing protests many Jews were killed. At another time, he ordered soldiers to set up an area within Jerusalem with the bust of the emperor on it. Jews marched to Pilate’s home seventy miles away to stage a non-violent protest. A third instance is actually recorded in Luke 13. Pilate had ordered the killing of some in Galilee and their blood had been brought to Jerusalem and mixed with the blood of the sacrifices. Again, the Jews hated Pilate. And Pilate hated the Jews. So what does this mean for Jesus?
Well, Pilate did want to release Jesus, but primarily because if he did so, he would be showing his authority over the Jews. It would be a slap in the face of the Jews (and particularly the religious leaders) if Pilate could let Jesus go. Moreover, he realized that their entire purpose for this trial was due to envy (v. 10). Pilate didn’t find any reason to condemn Jesus, but this was as much out of his spite for Israel than anything. So, due to an apparent custom, he offers to release Jesus. But the people say no. He offers again, but the people say no.
The people didn’t want the king of the Jews. They wanted Barabbas. Pilate didn’t want Jesus, but was about to be stuck with Him. But no matter Pilate’s attitude or intent, Jesus bled for Pilate and for all people no matter the truth or the level of concern for Him.
Jesus bled for those who are falsely compared to Him. (Mark 15.6-15)
I now want to move the spotlight of verses 6-15 towards Barabbas.
The certainty of the situation with Barnabas is that Pilate thought he could get out of the mess he was in by offering to release a prisoner. Technically, Jesus was not yet a prisoner, but his fate was in Pilate’s hands. So, Pilate offers to release either Barabbas or the “King of the Jews.” In this moment a comparison was made between a hostile leader looking to overthrow Rome and a loving leader looking to inaugurate God’s Kingdom.
Pilate thought the people would choose “the king of the Jews” but he was very wrong.
The offer to release a prisoner may have been a custom, but the fact that “the king of the Jews” is offered is because Pilate believes Jesus is not a threat. If Jesus had been a threat, He would have been punished and crucified for claiming superiority to Caesar. Although Jesus is crucified, Pilate never gives a verdict. Instead the gospels repeatedly say that Pilate did not find guilt in Jesus. Yet, Luke tells us that Pilate agreed with the crowd and decided to have Jesus crucified.
What Pilate is doing is taking the punishment of the leader of an insurrection (Barabbas) and giving Jesus in exchange for that punishment. Don’t overlook this. Jesus literally paid the penalty that was due Barabbas. And Jesus literally paid the penalty for each and every sin we commit as well. Today, we have many people who think they can be the savior of something or someone. Perhaps, some people can help for a while, but only one person ever qualified to be the Savior of the world. And that Savior bled for every pretender and would be savior (people like Barabbas) who has ever lived.
Now, before we move to the final point, let me share two facts you might not realize about Barabbas.
1) His name was Jesus Barabbas. Matthew 27.16-17 will have this fact in some footnotes. Many bibles do not include this, but the Greek New Testament does include the name Jesus. Now, your first thought might be, “If this is true, why do the gospel writers not use this name?” Let me tell you. Imagine that both names were simply Jesus. Imagine Pilate’s words for instance: “Do you want me to release Jesus or Jesus?” Of course the crowd that was there would have seen Pilate pointing, but no one reading this story would have a clue which Jesus was being mentioned. The crowd cried out for Jesus. Ok, which one? So, the gospels use Jesus for Jesus, the Christ, and Barabbas for Jesus Barabbas.
Jesus Barabbas – Matthew 27.16-17
2) Secondly, using a name such as Barabbas has been used by Mark before. We saw this at the end of chapter 10, when Mark recorded the story of Bartimaeus. Some of you will recognize “bar” as the word son. Remember what Jesus says to Peter after the Great Confession in Matthew 16.16. The next verse begins with Jesus saying, “Simon Bar Jonah” or Simon, son of Jonah. So, Bartimaeus means Son of Timaeus (Mark 10.46), and therefore Barabbas means “son of the father.”
Simon Bar Jonah – Matthew 16.16
Bar Timaeus – Mark 10.46
Jesus Bar Abbas – Mark 15.7
Jesus, Bar Abbas – Jesus, son of the father OR Jesus, the Son of the Father
Don’t miss this. Remember, Jesus’ prayer in the Garden was to Abba (Father). So what you have in this moment before Pilate is that a murderous criminal named Jesus “son of the Father” will be set free so that the Savior of the world, who is Jesus, the Son of the Father, can be crucified for us. As one commentary mentioned, the comparison is between one leader who tried to solve Israel’s problems through violence and revolt and the other who called for a nation and its leaders to repent. (Kernaghan, R. J. (2007). Mark (pp. 325). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.) Only one could be the true Son of the true Father.
But although, the comparison was false, Jesus bled for Barabbas and all like him as well.
Jesus bled for those who falsely celebrate Him. (Mark 15.16-20)
Verse 15 ends with the scourging of Jesus. I am going to have Mike come in a minute and share about the physical nature of what Christ endured. First, let me just comment generally on the symbolism of what happens here.
First, Jesus is taken inside the governor’s headquarters. The traditional site is the Antonio Fortress, a fortress named after Marc Antony. The name was given, ironically, as tribute to Antony by Herod the Great because Antony had bestowed the title of “King of the Jews” to Herod.
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| The place where Jesus may have stood before Pilate |
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| The King' Game - Played by the Romans when torturing the prisoners - here, at the Antonio Fortress |
The actual place is in question now as archaeologists now believe that Herod’s palace on the western side of the city is more likely the place Pilate would have stayed. If true, then consider what happened to Jesus here – in the palace.
- He is robed in royalty.
- He is given a crown (of thorns).
- They salute Him as king.
- They give Him a sceptor (a reed, with which they would then strike Him).
- They knelt before Him.
- The only thing missing was His throne – which was to be the cross.
While we need to be careful not to sensationalize what happened to Jesus, the fact is most do not really know how badly He was beaten. The Gospel writers do not include this information because their audience understood what scourging and crucifixion meant for the victim. Over 2000 years, we have lost the understanding. A couple of years ago, my friend Mike research this on his own, and he shares the information here.
CONCLUSION
I began this message talking about feeling as if we are in control. In this story, the Sanhedrin thought they were, then Pilate, then the crowd, then the soldiers, and perhaps even Barabbas did as well after he was released. But the truth is that all of them needed one thing – the blood of Jesus. It was Jesus who was in control, even when he was battered, beaten, and bloodied. God had established a system long before that required a blood sacrifice to cover sin. The process was formalized in the Mosaic Law, but the system began when God removed Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden covering them with skin (presumably of an animal), so they could be covered and not be ashamed (Genesis 3.21). It is because of that initial sin that Jesus had to shed His blood.
- The blood of Jesus – shed for you, shed for me. Shed for everyone whether they acknowledge Him or not.
- Jesus bled for all those who come to Him. And for those who don’t as well.
- Jesus bled for all those who call to Him. And for those who don’t as well.
- Jesus bled for God’s wrath to be satisfied.
- Jesus bled so we might spend eternity with Him.
- Jesus bled so we would have the choice to spend eternity with Him. The question is, “What do you choose?”
JOURNEY: Our JOURNEY letter this week is: Y – You.
The letter could be J – Jesus once again because the reality is He bled for each one of us. But we have a choice and the question is what do we choose? Like Pilate, it is not enough for us to be amazed at all Jesus did (or even didn’t do). We must choose Jesus and we must give Him control of our lives. That is what true faith is – trusting in Him, and living for Him. Will you choose to follow Jesus today?
OPPORTUNITY: When life gets chaotic and everything seems against you, take the time to stop, be still (and silent) and know that God is God.
REMEMBRANCE: Jesus bled for you.
NEXT STEP(S): Learn: The New Testament did not go into a great deal of detail about the agony Jesus suffered. The writers did not need to elaborate – their audience knew the horrors of scourgings and crucifixions. But because the writers did not include the details, we are largely unaware. Take some time to do what Mike did and research how Jesus suffered physically that you might appreciate His sacrifice for you even more.
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