T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
210
May, 1938
JUNE 19, 1938 THE SUFFERING SERVANT M ark 15:22-39
the Saviour the terrible cry, “ My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (v. 34). Centuries before, this occurrence had been prophesied (Psa. 22:1). The “ darkness” was not an eclipse, but a supernatural dark ness, as its duration of three hours would imply. The darkness continued until the ninth hour (v. 33), the time of the evening sacrifice when the paschal Lamb— Himself the fulfillment of the Old Testament type— was offered for the sins of the world. The Pharisees had asked for a sign, and God was giving a sign in the supernatural visitation of darkness. But, relentless in their unbelief and rebellion, they were un moved. However, the fact that one ran to do something to ease Christ’s pain seems to indicate that the phenomenon of the darkness had impressed some of those who stood by (v. 36). III. S uffering D e a t h (37-39) The character of Christ’s death should be carefully considered. His life was not wrenched from Him against His will. Vol untarily and in full possession of all His faculties, “ Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost" (v. 37). He "gave himself for our sins” (cf. Gal. 1:4). His was also a penal death. Any view of the death of Christ that does not include the satisfaction of justice comes short of the teaching of Scripture. Christ paid a penalty, canceled a debt, vindicated the eternal justice of God (cf. 1 Pet. 3:18; Isa. 53:5, 6). Moreover, and of necessity, His death was substitutionary. He could not have died for Himself, because He was sinless, as the testimony of friend and foe bears witness. But He died for others (cf. Gal. 2:20; 1 Pet. 3:18). Tim immediate effect of His death was the supernatural rending of the veil of the temple from top to bottom (v. 38). That veil had signified the separation of the holy God from unholy men. It betokened the fact that there never had beeri a freely opened way into the presence of God since man had sinned. Holiness dwelt behind that veil, and men stained by sin could not come near. But now, in the person of Christ, sin was taken away, and the barrier that separated man from God was removed. The way was made wide open for all who would come to God through Christ, for He has opened for us “ a new and living way . . . through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,” and we have in Him a high priest by whom we are invited to “ draw near . . . in full assurance of faith” (cf. Heb. 10:19-22). Man’s acknowledgment of this great truth came when the centurion cried: “ This man was the Son-of God” (v. 39)—yea, verily, He is. BLACKBOARD LESSON toc euen tue sonormonenmenoi to e £mintsTEceoumo, bUT to mimsTEc.,
Mark 15:22 And they bring: him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being: interpreted, The place of a skull. 23 And they grave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. 24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. 25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. 26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 28 And the Scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the trans gressors. 29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah,, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31 Likewise also the_ chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. 33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabach- thahi? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. 36 And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. 37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. 39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. Golden Text: “ For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to. min ister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:45). Devotional Reading: Isaiah 53 :4-9. Outline and Exposition I. S uffering D erision (22-32) T O “ GOLGOTHA . . . The place of a skull,” our Lord was led to death (v. 22). The place received its name because, viewed from a certain angle, the cliff presented the appearance of a skull. THE AMAZING BIBLE ■— M O N E Y M A K I N G O P P O R T U N I T Y MEN - WOMEN: Wanted by established, successful firm now expanding. Experience in our field not necessary. Instructions and help furnished. Tell us all about yourself. Address, Sales Dept., 603 PHILADELPHIA BIBLE HOUSE 1211 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, Pa. Communion Cups € f j H j Thomas Communion Service, Box 1214, Lima, O. HAY FEVER—A British Missionary from India com p lete ly freed of Asthma 17 years ago will be very pleased to send helpful information on request. Mrs. G. Robcyrts, 35-K Roxboro St., W . Toronto, Canada 1 Send for Folder and SPECIAL OFFER at low prices Glasses $1.00 Dozen. Tray ana 86glasses$6.50up. Beautiful CHROMIUM-PLATED. Aluminum, Wood and Silver-plated 1 1 1
W ine was usually offered to criminals facing crucifixion, to deaden their terrible pain on the cross. The wine acted as a mild anesthetic, and possibly for this reason our Lord refused it (v. 23), for He would die with His faculties unclouded, fully aware of all He must bear. The gambling for the garments of the Lord Jesus was in exact fulfillment of prophecy (Psa. 22:18), and in their action the soldiers who took part in the casting of lots were uncon sciously proving the Scriptures to be in spired by God (v. 24). In the period in which the Lord Jesus was put to death, usually the accusation against criminals was written on a placard placed over their heads, announcing to on lookers the reason for their death (cf. v. 26). That Jesus had claimed to be the K ing of the Jews was well known to the Roman authorities, although some so-called Bible teachers say He never made such a claim (cf. John 18:33-37). The minute details of prophecy concern ing our Lord’s death were all fulfilled. He died with transgressors (vs. 27, 28; cf. Isa. 53:12). He was subjected to the mocking of the multitude, the priests, and the thieves between whom He died (vs. 29-32). The people remembered His asser tion concerning “the temple” and taunted Him for it (cf. John 2:17-20). The heart of this passage may be found in the words of the priests, “ He saved others; himself he cannot save” (v. 31). This declaration was true, but for a differ ent reason than that which His accusers ad vanced. Certainly He who had spoken to the wind and waves and had them obey Him, who controlled demons with a word, and who had robbed the grave of its vic tim, was able to break the nails that bound Him to the cross. Nevertheless it was true that “ himself he cannot save,” for at least four reasons: First, because of His mis sion : T o redeem mankind He must give His life “ a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:451 ; He must, as the Good Shepherd, give His life for the sheep (John 10:11). Second, because of His veracity: He Himself had taught more than once that He would die on the cross (John 3:14; 12:32, 33). Third, because of the Scriptures’ trustworthiness: Prophets, inspired by God, had foretold the events of Calvary, and the fullfillment of the record would be complete. And, fourth, because of His love: His love for sinners was so great that Christ would pro vide atonement for them, though the price thereof was His life. II. S uffering D arkness (33-36) Christ could have avoided the terrible hours of suffering, but had He done so, God’s will would have been unfulfilled, Satan would have been victorious, and sin ners would have been unsaved. What went on during those hours of im penetrable, mysterious darkness, only Deity can know. When the Lord Jesus Christ assumed our sins arid stood in our place, something was there of such horror that the face of God was turned from Him who suffered, and there came from the lips of
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