Mark 15:1-20 Hail, King of the Jews

This Sunday we return to our study of the Gospel of Mark, picking up in chapter 15. Chapter 15 begins after the events of the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ arrest, and the nighttime trial before the religious leaders, who pronounce Jesus guilty of blasphemy and worthy of death. Having just celebrated Easter, we now turn our eyes to the dark yet glorious events of Good Friday, when the true King of the Jews willingly gives His life as a ransom for many. Though Mark has not referred to Jesus as "King" in his gospel before, in chapter 15 Jesus is mockingly called “King” six times. To the political and religious world, He looks nothing like a powerful ruler. He is beaten, silent, condemned, and humiliated, yet Jesus stands in perfect obedience to the Father’s will—not as a helpless victim, but as the sovereign King who chooses to endure suffering and condemnation in His people’s place. As Jesus said in Mark 10:45, He came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom. Jesus’ mission is perfectly pictured in Sunday’s passage. Jesus could have defended Himself before Pilate and been released, but He chose not to. Though innocent, Jesus was condemned, and Barabbas, a rightly convicted criminal, was allowed to go free. Jesus willingly stood silent, condemned, and humiliated in our place so that guilty rebels like us could be set free. On Sunday, we will see God’s love for sinners in the person and work of Jesus. I. The King Who Stood Silent For You (v. 1-5) II. The King Who Stood Condemned For You (v. 6-15) III. The King Who Stood Humiliated For You (v. 16-20)