“Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” (Mark 15:29-30)

Sinners often mock God and are unable to understand what is really going on.  Would you really be so abusive even to a guilty criminal who was dying?  The give-away in this scene is the part mocking Jesus and demanding that He save Himself.  Narcissism is at the heart of pride.  Jesus did what He did for us.  He calls us out of ourselves.  He will resurrect us on the last day.  The mockery of the world will cease.  God will do what He has promised.

Lord, I have mocked others in their situation.  I have had times when I was not compassionate, and whether or not another deserved what was happening, I was glad for their suffering.  Take these things out of me for Your compassion and mercy have no room for mockery.  You suffered beyond anything I could ever imagine and You did so for our sake.  Grant me a new heart that seeks You and Your ways at all times.

Lord Jesus, You are compassionate.  Even while suffering You arranged for the welfare of Your mother.  Help me to follow Your example and not focus upon the moment but seek to have a character like Yours.  Guide me through those times where my sinfulness takes over and I speak without thinking.  Lead me to live according to Your word and the way of eternity.  Amen.

“They crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left.  And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with transgressors.”] (Mark 15:27-28)

Our Savior has fulfilled all Scripture concerning Him.  It was the way God told us it would be.  The biggest struggle point for many is the seeming weakness God used to conquer sin.  But this is how He knows it must be.  For us, it is a matter of trust.  He has done all that is needed.  Our Savior came and He was always amongst sinners, for that is what we are.  In the end, it will be those who look to Him for salvation versus those who continue wanting to be their own god.

God of heaven and earth, help me to see the utter simplicity of the truth that we all need what only You can provide.  I will either turn to You or else continue in the hatred of this age because it is not what I want.  I do not even know what I want.  Help me to look to You, the source of my being and follow according to the way You have created me and all living things to live.  Guide me in Your grace.

Lord Jesus, You have eternally reconciled me to You through Your shed blood.  You have done all that is needed for me to leave behind the sin of this age of rebellion in order that I may humbly walk with You in all of Your ways.  Guide me in the way of everlasting truth so that I may learn from You and humbly follow You always.  Help me to understand more each day so that I may take those steps which lead me in the right direction.  Amen.

“The inscription of the charge against Him read, “THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Mark 15:26).

Pilate chose to give lip service to the Lord: a political decision.  It is the truth, but what did it mean?  Jesus is not just the King of the Jews, but He is the King of kings.  It is not a charge, but the truth.  If accused, would you be convicted of being a follower of Jesus?  The world hates God.  The world is constantly trying to be rid of the One through whom all things exist.  The world is insane.

Heavenly Father, I know that, because Jesus was crucified, I have been reconciled to You.  I do not understand all that this means, but I trust the truth that Your word is sufficient.  Lead me to accept what You have said such that when confronted, others will know that I trust You above all things.  Help me to not convict the Savior with my doubts and worries, but trust that You have done all that is necessary that I may be with You now and forever.

Lord Jesus, You suffered indignation such as I am unable to imagine.  You ask that I follow You through all that this world may heap upon me.  Guide me to humbly walk with You all the days of my life.  Lead me so that I simply trust that You have given me the words of eternal life.  Help me on the way You know I need to go and keep me faithful through every hour of trial and temptation.  Amen.

“And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man should take.  It was the third hour when they crucified Him” (Mark 15:24-25).

About noon they lifted Jesus up on the cross.  He had been awake the whole night before, beaten, mocked, tried, and convicted.  Of what was He guilty according to those who condemned Him?  For “blasphemy;” they considered Him guilty for saying He was God.  He was and is.  The world does not want the order of our Lord.  It wants to be the master of its own destiny.  The world exists because it has been created, but it does not want the Creator.

Lord God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, the insanity of this world is that it wants to exist apart from You who created all things.  That is not possible.  Take me out of this insanity so that I may humbly live as You created me to live.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I see things through the eyes of truth.  You have suffered so that I who suffer may have hope beyond this age of suffering.

Lord Jesus, You died for me.  I was the one who should have been on that cross.  I have sinned and the wages of sin is death, but You have taken my place in order to set me free to live a new way of living.  Help me to not forget or slip into old patterns.  Lead me to live intentionally knowing that in You alone is there hope and a future.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy all the days of my life.  Amen.

“Then they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.  They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He did not take it” (Mark 15:22-23).

Our Lord suffered physical pain beyond what most of us can imagine.  He suffered the spiritual rejection of all those who will continue their rebellion into the depths of hell.  He suffered the deprivation of all that sustains life in the physical body.  He did so willingly for our sake.  He reached the point where He was done.  We look, but do we begin to comprehend the depth of what sin has done?

Holy and Triune Lord, in the great mystery of Your love, I see that You went through all of this to give all who believe an opportunity to live life as You created it to be lived.  The deeper I go in thinking the more I see that You are there.  This world always stops short, for if true inquiry were made, they would all see that You are the answer for our longing.  Amidst the horror of this world, guide me to understand that You have called me to walk with You, my Creator, Lord, and God.

Lord Jesus, You took upon Yourself the sin of all of us.  You suffered in ways that I am unable to imagine.  You did so willingly in love for us whom You have created.  Lead me to understand more clearly each day the breadth and depth of Your love.  Guide me to live into the life You are offering me, thinking as You give me the ability to think, and living in the way that You set before me.  Amen.

“They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross” (Mark 15:21).

Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus.  He was someone who was known by Mark.  The Lord uses every circumstance to provide an opportunity to know Him.  The invitation comes to us in our everyday living.  We are offered the opportunity to willingly come into the Lord’s service.  The world will conscript us, but the Lord invites us.  Even when oppressed by the world, there is still opportunity to know Jesus.

Heavenly Father, help me to understand by Your Holy Spirit that You are always speaking to me.  Help me to know that the world is constantly forcing me in one direction or another, but that You are offering me the ability to see through the struggle that is going on around me.  The world seeks to kill Jesus at all times.  Yes, He died for our sake, but we know that He is resurrected and that because Jesus lives, we too live.  Help me to live in the clarity Your word gives me.

Lord Jesus, the indignities this world have been heaped upon You.  How exasperating sinning must be to You, yet You still loved us enough to go to the cross.  Lead me out of the mire of this world’s thinking to understand more clearly that, no matter what the circumstance are, I know that You are with me.  Guide me in the goodness of Your grace and mercy so that I may walk in whichever way You lead.  No matter what the world does, help me to learn the lessons You will teach me.  Amen.

“They kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him.  After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him” (Mark 15:19-20).

What purpose is there in mockery?  One sees the anger and vitriol, but what is its purpose?  Humiliation?  What a sad state to which sin has devolved.  The One through whom all things have their being is beaten and mocked.  Sin mocks the very power that allows it to mock at all.  The world encourages us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought.  The world hates the One who created all things.

Lord, I was born into a world that hates You.  I do not even know where to begin.  Those little things in me that do the same thing, I am often not even aware of.  I need to be saved from the crazy way this world treats You and others.  You came and endured humiliation and pain for my sake.  Lead me away from such thinking so that I may have the opportunity to understand things as You created them to be.

Lord Jesus, You did this for me?  I do not want to look.  I do not want to see the price You paid.  Is this what sin devolves to – destruction?  Lead me out of the mess in my mind to understand more clearly that You alone are the Sovereign One.  You have come to lead me into a new life.  Help me to live into the life You are offering me.  Guide me along the narrow way which leads to eternal life.  Lead me, my Lord, Savior, and God.  Amen.

“The soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they called together the whole Roman cohort.  They dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; and they began to acclaim Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Mark 15:16-18)

Jesus is mocked.  This world continues to mock and beat upon Jesus.  If you follow Him, there are those who will mock you.  How can you believe such things?  What?  The truth?  Our Lord and Savior has come to us; the light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness does not comprehend Him.  You have seen His light, and you are called to follow Him.  Come unto the Lord and follow the One who saves you.

Holy and Triune LORD, You have told me that I would be persecuted for Your name’s sake.  Help me to not be carried away by the crowds or their pressures.  Help me to reason with the ability You have given me so that I may understand more clearly the truth in every situation.  Guide me to withstand those things that might lead me away from the relationship I have with You.  I need to be saved from the wickedness of this world.  You alone can, and do save.

Lord Jesus, You have taken a beating for each one of us.  I do not comprehend how or why; but believe You have done so for my sake.  Grant me courage to do my part so that I may learn from You how to be faithful to what is true.  You have given me the words which are true and provided the warnings I need.  Lead me, Lord, so that I live according to the word You have given me.  Amen.

“But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!”  Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified” (Mark 15:14-15).

Mob rule is the playground of evil.  When people are not thinking and are driven by a mob, they will side with whatever the politics of the moment are.  Worse, later crowds will mimic the crowd and continue the evil by persecuting others in the name of what a mob did.  The Jews killed Jesus, the Pilgrims killed supposed witches, and the Germans killed the Jews.  History is filled with such wickedness.  Salvation brings you into a righteous mind.

Heavenly Father, I have been guilty of being carried away with mobs.  I am hammered all day long with enticement to become a part of the crowd.  I do not know what or whom to trust.  Turn me from the world to You, for You have given me the words of everlasting life.  Help me to live humbly and trust what You have said above all the noise of this world.  Aid me to think things through, and even if I be the only one in a crowd who does so, keep me holding fast to the truth You have revealed.

Lord Jesus, You know how difficult it is in this world gone mad.  I am constantly pushed to get in line with the mind of the crowd, but there are often things that do not add up.  Help me to learn how to reason and think things through.  Help me to choose the path that You have revealed to be true so that I am not caught up in the insanity of this age.  Lead me to live a life that is true to You as best I can.  Amen.

“But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.  Answering again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”  They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” (Mark 15:11-13)

Politicians love to stir up a crowd.  In the throng, someone will say, “People are saying.”  Who are these so-called ‘people’?  They are manipulated with the appearance of legitimacy through the mob.  But the Lord deals with each one of us personally.  One with the Lord is an overwhelming majority.  Do not seek to please (or use) the crowd; but seek to humbly walk with Your Creator.

Lord God, You who made all things have witnessed generation after generation sinning with impunity.  Crowds are stirred and used in the name of justice, and have wreaked havoc upon humanity.  Help me to neither be one to stir the crowd, nor one with the crowd, but look to You alone as the source of all goodness.  Strip me of sin and fill me with Your Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, the world wants to be done with You.  They want You, through whom they and all things exist, to just go away.  But You came to give me a new life through grace.  Guide me to live this new life knowing that in You alone is there hope and a future.  Teach me all that I need so that I live into the life You are giving me.  Lead me in Your righteousness to always be in Your presence.  Amen.