Mark 15

Jewish Time
6pm-9pm 1st Watch
9pm-12am 2nd Watch
12am-3am 3rd Watch
3am-6am 4th Watch
9:00am End of 3rd Hour
12:00pm End of 6th Hour
3:00pm End of 9th Hour
6:00pm End of 12th Hour

Religious Trials (Blasphemy)
Before Annas John 18:13-23
Before Caiaphas Matthew 26:57-68; John 18:24
Before Sanhedrin Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71

Civil Trials (Treason)
Before Pilate Matthew 27:1-14; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-38
Before Herod Luke 23:8-12
Before Pilate Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15;
Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:16

Illegal Maneuvers
Trials were never to be held in darkness
Accused must be allowed an attorney
Witnesses must be reputable and consistent
Verdicts could not be made in less than 2 days
The Sanhedrin must vote 1 at a time, youngest to oldest
The charge could not be changed

The Man Who Missed His Cross
The name Barrabbas means son of father
An early manuscript shows his first name as Jesus
Barabbas was a notorious prisoner (Matthew 27:16)
Barabbas was an insurrectionist
Barabbas was a murderer (Luke 23:19)
The middle cross was, most likely, made for Barabbas
Barabbas would have been held at the fortress of Antonia
He probably would have heard the crowds shout (Matthew 27:21-22)
Barabbas was released (Matthew 27:26)
Jesus took the place of Barabbas on the cross

Carrying the Cross of Christ
We are not tourists but missionaries
Proximity to Christ sometimes equals proximity to a burden
We are called to carry His cross, not our own
Either we help crucify Jesus, or we help carry His cross
Carrying Christ’s cross can be an annoyance or a privilege
Self-sacrifice sets a model for others to follow
Cross-carriers are partners in ministry with Christ
If you share the cross now, you share the crown later

Between Two Thieves
Something changed this man’s mind during the crucifixion
This may be the only death-bed conversion in Scripture
We can be against Jesus, for Jesus, or with Jesus
He acknowledged his sin
He turned from his sin
He believed in Jesus
He confessed Jesus as Lord
Life is worth living only when you find a God worth loving

The Seven Last Phrases
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.
Woman, here is your son.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
I am thirsty.
It is finished.
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

The Veil of the Temple Torn in Two
The cross shows God’s approachability
The cross shows God’s availability
The cross shows God’s affection

Jesus is laid in the Tomb (15:42-47)
1. There is such a thing as ‘secret’ Christianity
2. Joseph risked his reputation to honor his Lord
3. Even the timing of Jesus’ death was planned by God
4. Even after His death, the leaders were still afraid of Jesus and the movement He’d started (Matthew 27:62-66)