READING • MARK 14 AND 15
At the heart of the Gospel
The Bible presents sin and death as problems that human beings cannot solve by their own efforts. God's answer centres on His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus lived without sin and willingly obeyed his Father even unto death, making forgiveness and the hope of life possible for those who belong to him.
The problem of sin
Sin separates men and women from God and leads to death. However sincere we may be, we cannot remove sin or overcome death by our own strength. The Bible therefore directs us to what God has done through His Son. Jesus joined willingly in his Father's purpose: his death was not an accident, but an act of faithful obedience.
Jesus was completely without personal sin. Yet he shared our mortal human nature and faced real temptation. By remaining obedient throughout his life and through his death, he opened the way for his followers to receive forgiveness and, at his return, everlasting life.
A prophecy of his sufferings
The Gospels describe the arrest, trial and death of Jesus. The Old Testament also contains passages which Christians understand as anticipating his sufferings. Psalm 22 is especially striking because its language closely matches details recorded in the crucifixion narratives.
“But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.”
Psalm 22:6-8 • King James Version
The suffering involved shame as well as physical pain. Later in the same Psalm we read:
“My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.”
Psalm 22:15-16 • King James Version
How it came about
Some of the chief priests and other religious leaders were determined to have Jesus put to death. They regarded his claims as blasphemous and feared his influence. Because Judaea was under Roman rule, however, they brought Jesus before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, seeking a sentence of death.
The Gospel accounts show Pilate recognising that Jesus was not guilty of a crime deserving death, yet eventually yielding to pressure and handing him over to be crucified. Roman soldiers carried out the execution. The death of Jesus therefore exposes human injustice and cruelty, but the New Testament also presents it as part of God's saving purpose, willingly accepted by Jesus.
Why did Jesus have to suffer?
When we remember that Jesus did no sin, his suffering raises an obvious question: why did this have to happen? In Gethsemane he prayed in deep distress, yet submitted himself completely to his Father's will:
“Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
Luke 22:42 • King James Version
Jesus did not desire suffering for its own sake. He accepted it because obedience to God required him to continue faithfully even when that obedience led to death. His willingness reveals both the seriousness of sin and the depth of the love shown by God and His Son.
Why did Jesus die?
Romans 6:23 says, 'The wages of sin is death.' Adam sinned and became a dying creature, and all his descendants share mortality. In addition, every other responsible human being sins. Jesus was different: he shared our mortal nature, but he never committed sin.
HUMANITY
THE LORD JESUS
We share the mortal condition that came through Adam.
Jesus also shared mortal human nature.
We commit sin.
Jesus was tempted, but never sinned.
We cannot save ourselves from sin and death.
Jesus remained perfectly obedient to God.
We need forgiveness and resurrection.
God raised Jesus from the dead and gave him immortal life.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
Hebrews 4:15 • King James Version
Jesus did not die because of personal wrongdoing. He died while sharing the mortal condition of those he came to save. Because he remained sinless, God raised him from the dead. His resurrection showed that sin and death had been overcome in him.
The hope opened by his death and resurrection
Those who are united with Christ can have their sins forgiven now. When Jesus returns, those accepted by him will also be delivered from mortality. His sacrifice therefore points beyond death to resurrection and everlasting life.
The lessons of the death of Jesus
The death of Jesus shows human sin at its worst: an innocent and righteous man was rejected and brutally killed. It reminds us that sin is not a small matter and that we cannot rescue ourselves from it. We all need the salvation God provides.
At the same time, Jesus was an acceptable sacrifice because he was completely obedient and without sin. John the Baptist described him in these words:
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
John 1:29 (excerpt) • King James Version
The image of a lamb without blemish helps us understand that Jesus offered God a life of perfect obedience. His death was not the sacrifice of a guilty sinner for innocent people; it was the willing offering of the one sinless Son of God on behalf of those who believe in him.
The death of Jesus also reveals the extent of God's love:
“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
Romans 8:32 • King James Version
God's love is therefore not merely an idea. It is seen in what He gave. The obedience and love of Jesus are equally clear: he submitted to his Father's will even when obedience cost him his life.
Reconciled to God
Sin breaks fellowship with God. Scripture uses words such as reconciliation and atonement to describe the restoration of that relationship. The older English word 'atonement' has long carried the idea of being brought 'at one' again - brought back into harmony with God.
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”
Psalm 32:1-2 • King James Version
Through Christ, forgiveness becomes possible. This does not mean that God simply ignores sin. Rather, the death of Jesus shows God's judgement upon sin and His mercy toward sinners who come to Him in faith, repentance and obedience.
God’s grace and our faith
The New Testament often describes God's freely given favour as grace. Ephesians 1 speaks of believers being accepted in Christ and of 'redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace' (Ephesians 1:6-8). Salvation begins with what God has graciously provided, not with anything we can earn.
What must we do?
God has provided the way of salvation, and Jesus has given himself willingly. But the Gospel calls for a response. Faith is not merely agreeing that certain facts are true; genuine faith leads to repentance, baptism and a changed life.
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”
Acts 2:38 (excerpt) • King James Version
Peter gave the same practical message in Acts 3:19: 'Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.' Repentance means turning away from our own sinful way and turning toward God.
Baptism begins a new life
By birth we belong to Adam's dying family. Through belief in the Gospel and baptism into Christ, we begin a new relationship with him. Baptism symbolically joins us with the death and resurrection of Jesus: the old life is put behind us, and we rise to walk in newness of life.
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Mark 16:16 • King James Version
Baptism is therefore a beginning, not an end. The believer must continue learning obedience, seeking forgiveness when he or she fails, and following the example of Jesus.
Following Jesus
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Luke 9:23 • King James Version
Jesus calls his disciples to deny self and follow him. In this saying, taking up the cross is a figure for accepting the cost of discipleship, self-denial and faithful obedience. It is not an instruction to use the cross as a religious object or symbol.
Paul describes the same change of life in Galatians:
“And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:24-25 • King James Version
The message in one view
PROBLEM
GOD’S PROVISION
OUR RESPONSE
Sin separates us from God.
God gave His Son, who lived without sin and died obediently.
Repent and believe the Gospel.
We are mortal and cannot save ourselves.
God raised Jesus from the dead.
Be baptized into Christ.
Our sins need forgiveness.
Forgiveness is offered through Christ by God’s grace.
Walk in a new life of faith and obedience.
Death appears final to human strength.
Christ’s resurrection gives the hope of resurrection and eternal life.
Remain faithful while waiting for his return.
Why the death of Jesus matters to us
The death of Jesus stands at the centre of the Gospel because it brings together the seriousness of sin, the righteousness and mercy of God, and the perfect obedience of His Son. The story is not intended simply to make us feel sorrow. It calls us to recognise our need, accept God's grace, and follow the Lord Jesus in a life of faith and obedience.
A sacrifice that leads to life
Jesus died, but death did not have the final word. God raised him from the dead. The believer's hope therefore rests not only on the death of Christ, but on the living Lord who will return and give everlasting life to his faithful followers.
SUMMARY
1
Sin is a problem we cannot solve ourselves.
All responsible men and women sin, and humanity is subject to death.
2
God provided His Son.
Jesus willingly shared in his Father’s purpose and offered a life of complete obedience.
3
Jesus was sinless.
He shared mortal human nature and was genuinely tempted, yet he never committed sin.
4
His death reveals both judgement and love.
The crucifixion shows the seriousness of sin and the extraordinary love of God in giving His Son.
5
God raised Jesus from the dead.
The resurrection shows that sin and death were overcome in him and opens the hope of life for his followers.
6
Forgiveness is offered through Christ.
God’s grace makes reconciliation possible for those who believe, repent and seek His mercy.
7
Faith must lead to action.
The Gospel calls us to repent, be baptized and continue in a new life of obedience to God.
Chapters to read
2 Corinthians 5; 1 Peter 1
LEARN BY HEART • ROMANS 5:8
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 • King James Version
Christadelphian Bible Mission • Box CBM, 404 Shaftmoor Lane, Birmingham B28 8SZ, England
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 5
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 1