June Week2 Lesson: Jesus Defeats Death.

LESSON 24.  JUNE 11, 2017

 TOPIC:  JESUS  DEFEATS  DEATH.

MEMORY VERSE:   Mark 16:6.  And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.(KJV)

LESSON TEXT: Mark 15:1 through 16:20

CENTRAL TRUTH: Christ’s death and resurrection are the defining events of Christianity.

FOCUS: To comprehend the events of Christ’s death and resurrection, and trust in Him as our living Lord.

 LESSON OUTLINE :

1.    Innocent, but condemned

A.      Jesus faces accuser

B.      Condemned to die

2.    Crucified and Dead

A.      Subjected to Ridicule

B.      Dramatic Death

3.    Buried, Resurrected, and Ascended

A.      Buried in Tomb

B.      Triumphant over Death.

          Learning Objectives:

Question: How do most people respond to the prospect of death?

 Author Wellin Calcoth once expressed the way many people feel about dying: How dreadful is the prospect of death, at the remotest distance!” He called it “ the king of terrors,” before which he trembled and turned pale.

Christians, however, can have a far different view of the grave. For them, death’s gloom pales in the face of Jesus’ victory over death. This defining event helps validate their faith, comforts them as they approach death, and brings purpose to their daily living.

                             COMMENTARY AND APPLICATION

1.    Innocent, But Condemned.

A.   Jesus Faces Accusers. Mark 15:1-5

       Question: How do people usually feel when they have been falsely accused?

     Falling victim to false  accusation can be a painful experience. It often lead people to seek personal redemption, or to strongly assert their innocence.

As He neared the end of his earthly life, Jesus faced an onslaught of false accusations (Mark 14:43-50) . The people who had seized Jesus the evening before brought Him to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, on Friday morning (15:1)

Pilate questioned Jesus about the accusations made against Him: He had claimed to be “ King of the Jews” (verses 2-3), which Jesus affirmed by implication ( see John 18:37). While the religious leaders regarded this to be blasphemy, it was not a capital offence under the Roman Law. Christ may have been inferring what Pilate said was true,the definition of that term was different to each of them. Jesus is the king of kings.

The accusations did not end there. We know from elsewhere in Scripture that religious leaders had accused Jesus of refusing to pay taxes, as well as subversion against Rome (see Luke 23:2).  Jesus remained silent in the face of these charges. Pilate reminded Him that the accusations were numerous (verse 4). But to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus remained silent (verse 5).

Question: Why do you think Jesus remained silent?

Jesus was moving along the path ordained fro Him (see Matthew 16:21;Mark 8:31). Difficult as it would be, Jesus knew He must suffer and die in order to fulfill the Father’s will. This may have accounted for His silence.

The Bible presents death as something that is ordained for humankind (Hebrews 9:27). We can dread it, or we can choose to prepare for it by becoming a follower of Christ. Having placed faith in Him, there is comfort in knowing that our death leads to eternal home awaiting us.

B.    Condemned to Die. Mark 15:6-15.

The Passover was taking place while these events transpired. It was evident the Jews had a custom during this time each year for Pilate to release a prisoner chosen by the Jewish people. This unusual practices may have been an attempt to curry the favour of the populaces after  Pilate had nearly incited a rebellion by bringing images and effigies into Jerusalem. During this Passover, Pilate had a particular prisoner in mind: a man named Barabbas, who had been involved in a revolt against Rome and also committed Murder (Mark 15:6-7; See John18:40).

A crowd, which included a contingent  of Barabbas’ friends and supporters, asked Pilate to release him as part of the Passover custom (verse 8). Pilate sought for a way to avoid executing Jesus, and offered Him up for release (verses 9-10). Scholars note verse 9 implies that some sought the release of Jesus. Pilate wanted to let Jesus go as well, so s not to succumb to the chief priests.  It is also worthy to note that Matthew 27:19 records a warming from Pilate’s wife that he not harm Jesus. By offering a murderous insurrectionist, Pilate may have felt assured that the people would side with Jesus’ supporters.

But Pilate plan did not work. The high priest had influence the people to demand the release of Barabbas (Mark 15:11). Pilate, surprised by the response, repeated his offer of Jesus, only to hear demands for His crucifixion. No objection on his part would quiet the crowd (verse 12-14). By this time, Pilate likely sensed that a riot was forming. Verse 15 indicates he actively sought their favor. The Jews were known for making strong appeals to Caesar, and their tenacity has resulted in the removal of the Roma leaders in the past. So Pilate sought to appease his own conscience by symbolically washing his hands of innocent blood, th4en delivered Jesus to be brutally flogged and ultimately crucified.

Question: How do you think Jesus endured the difficulty of this event?

Jesus faced false accusation, hatful word of a mob, and the prospect of a horrific death. (Hebrews 12:2 tells of Jesus enduring the cross “for the joy that was set before him” (KJV). The thought of death is very daunting. Our passing from this life may involve a length battle with disease .Or life may come to an end in a tragic way Yet Christians can face death knowing something Joyful awaits. Death represents a transition to eternity. We who know Jesus need not dread the prospect of death.

2.    Crucified and Dead.

A.   Subjected  to Ridicule. Mark 15:16-32.

      As the death of Jesus neared, He was subjected to increasing humiliation and mockery. The sense was the “Praetorium” (KJV) or “palace” (NIV), Likely the courtyard in front of the governor’s residence (Mark 15:16). Here Jesus faced a large number of Soldiers. The soldiers mocked Jesus claims as King. Their actions in verse 17-20 demonstrate how lightly they took the crucifixion they were about to perform.

After scouring Jesus, the soldiers took Him to the place where they would execute Him. Condemned men usually carried their cross to execution site. This beam was heavy, and Jesus, perhaps weak from flogging, did not have the strength to carry it. The soldiers forced a passerby named Simon to carry the beam for Jesus (verse 21). Simon has been in town for the Passover feast. Some scholars believe that Simon’s contact with Jesus resulted in his conversion. Mark may have mentioned his sons, Rufus and Alexander, because they were part of the Early Church (See Roman 16:13). Finally, the procession reached the place of execution: Golgotha, “the place of skull” (verse 22).

The soldiers offered Jesus a mild sedative, wine mingled with myrrh (verse 23), which Jesus refused. Then,after nailing Him to the cross, they again demonstrated their lack of seriousness by gambling for His clothing (verse 24), a fulfilment of psalm 22:18.

Mark 15:25 place the time of Jesus’ crucifixion as the third hour, 9am. The soldiers’ mockery continued with their placing a sign on His cross that read “ King of the Jews” (verse26). This identified the crime for which Jesus was crucified.

Two criminals were crucified with Him and they joined in the ridicule directed at Jesus from soldiers, priest, and passers-by (verse27-31). They focused their ridicule on His prophesy concerning the fall and the building of the Temple. Unknown to the mockers, this prophesy foreshadowed Christ’s resurrection.

Teaching Tip: Discuss this question: In what ways does the mocking of Jesus at the cross resemble the ways people mock Jesus today? Talk about how students might respond to such mockery.

B.      A Dramatic Death. Mark 15:33-41

Unusual events began to occur as Jesus approached death. From noon to 3 p.m, darkness covered the area (Mark 5:33). This was an ominous sign of Judgment (see Isaiah 5:25-30;Amos 8:9-10;Micah 3:5-7). In this instance, the darkness came as a result of God Judgment on sin.

Jesus then uttered an agonizing cry (verse 34).

Question:  What do you think Jesus meant when said He had been forsaken by the Father?

Jesus spoke seven times from the cross, but these were the only specific words noted by Mark ( see also 15:37). The words fulfil the prophetic description of Christ’s death recorded in Psalm 22:1, and they form a neutral sequel to His prayer  in Gethsemane (14:33-36). Christ cry must be seen in the context of God’s wrath against sin. On our behalf, Jesus experienced the alienation from the Father that results from sin. Such anguish, embodied in the God-Man Jesus Christ, is unimaginable.

People misunderstood Christ words as a call for Elijah (Mark15:35). A popular belief among the Jews held that Elijah would not only precede and introduce the Messiah, but also would live again and attest to Him. The word “now leave him alone”. Let’s see if Elijah come to take him down” (verse 36,NIV) may have represented either mockery by a sceptic or a sincere desire to see Christ live long enough for Elijah to arrive. (Note as well that the vinegar was given in response to Jesus’ request, see John 19:28-29)

After receiving the drink, and with a loud cry, Jesus died (verse 37; see Luke 23:46; John 19:30). When  He did, a strange event took place in the temple. The curtain shielding the most Holy place supernaturally tore in two from top to bottom (Mark 5:38). We know from Matthew27:51 that an earthquake also marked the moment. These dramatic events led a soldier to affirm unwaveringly that Jesus is God’s son.

Question :  What did the tore veil indicate?

This curtain formed a barrier that allowed only the high priest to enter. The space within represented the very presence of God. Because of Christ’s death, all believer can approach GOD and stand in His presence.

It is notable that of all those present at the crucifixion, Mark specifically named three women, who observerved at a distance (verses 40-41). They were Mary Magdalene, who had been delivered from demons (Luke 8:2), as well as Mary the mother of James and Joses (Joseph; see Matthew 27:56), who were later well known in Early Church , and Salome, who was the mother of apostles James and John. These devout women stood in stark contrast to the crowd of mockers.

3.    Buried, Resurrected, and Ascended. 

A.   Buried in a Tomb. Mark 15:42-47

 Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin who had become a believer, approached Pilate requesting Jesus’ body (Mark 15:42-43). Normally, such a request would have come from family or disciples. But the disciples had fled, and it is believed  Mary the mother of Jesus was with John (John19:26-27) Pilate verified Jesus’ death and gave Jesus’ body to Joseph (Mark 15:44-45).

Joseph provided  Jesus’ body with a burial garment and placed His body in a tomb, which he secured with a heavy stone blocking the opening. Two women, Mary Magdalene and Joses’ mother , Mary witnesses Jesus’ burial (verse 46-47) .

Question : Why do you think it is important to study the specifics of Christ’s burial, when His death and subsequent resurrection are critical point of this Biblical account?

These specifics remind us of Christ humanity, as well as  of the grief felt by those closest to Him. He was acquainted with death; H knew of pain, and His followers in Bible times experienced very real grief, pain, and even perhaps despair. Against this grim backdrop, the greatest miracle of all history would soon take place.

B.    Triumphant over Death. Mark 16:1-20

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, arrived at Jesus’ tomb on Sunday morning (Mark 16:1-2). They carried spices to tuck into the folds of Jesus’ burial garment as a form of embalming. To their surprise, the stone covering the tomb’s opening had been moved and inside an angel greeted them (verse 3-8; see Matthew 28:2-4). Jesus was gone, but it wasn’t necessary to move the stone for this to happen. His glorified body was not subject material obstacles ( John 20:6-7). He had risen from the death, haven assumed His resurrected body.

Through the day, Jesus appeared to several people: Mary Magdalene, two other followers, and the remaining disciples (Mark 16:9-14).

Question: Why are eyewitness encounters with Jesus an important element of this account? 

These encounters provide evidence of His resurrection . The subsequent actions of Christ’s followers-proclaiming the Resurrection- support these encounters. Christ’s followers did not fall into despair, but preached joyfully because they knew the message is true.

Christ commissioned the disciples to preach the gospel to the world (verse 16-20). That commission continues. He ascended into heaven, is sated at the Father’s right hand, and is coming soon.  He calls us to proclaim the hope of salvation made possible by His death and resurrection.

                                               DISCIPLESHIP IN ACTION

Pray that God will move on your heart to apply the truth of Christ’s resurrection in a personal way. Allow this news to be a source of hope in dark times of life. Share the good news of salvation through Christ to those around you. Let them know that they , too, can find triumph over the power of sin and the fear of death.

Teaching Tip:  Read Mark 16:15-18 aloud. Then discuss this question: What are some tangible ways you can go into the world and preach the good news? Guide the discussion toward practical ways we can fulfill the great commission. Also discuss the value of signs and wonders. Talk about why they may seem more prevalent in some places than others. How can students see signs and wonders around them, in order to help fulfill the Great commission?

                                                MINISTRY IN ACTION

 Encounter students to live their faith every day. Close in prayer, that students will present a strong, clear message of Christ to everyone they interact with each day. Ask God for strength to reject things that compromise this message.