The ultimate Death

This Good Friday, we had an amazing study (as always) on the gospel of Mark. The Bible is truly an amazing book. I really must read it more diligently. We read Mark 15, which I've read many times throughout my life, but this time I saw more than just the events that unfolded at Christ's death.

1. (vv. 14-15) Barrabas, the true insurrectionist and murderer, goes free and Jesus is condemned for insurrection. In this, Jesus takes Barrabas' place and is the propitiation for his sin (a foretelling of what is to come).
2. (v. 17) He was clothed in purple and wore a crown of thorns. He was mocked as the King of the Jews. He was lifted high upon a throne, the cross. All this when the One who stood before them was and is the ultimate and eternal King. Our study leader aptly named it "the ironic coronation."
3. (v. 29) Those passing by Him mocked Him saying, "Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself and come down from the cross!" Those passer-byers did not see that the One before them was higher and greater than the temple. The temple is in fact Himself and He was to die and be resurrected in 3 days.
4. (v. 31) The chief priests mocked Him, saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself." In fact, He DOESN'T save Himself, in order to save others and give them eternal life.
5. (v. 39) The Gentile centurion, and not one of the Jews, was the only one standing before Him that saw and believed that He truly is the Son of God.

What irony. And what a profound and beautiful message.