A View from the Cross
Sermon
The View from the Cross
Cycle B Gospel Text Sermons for Lent and Easter
Object:
In our text this morning we went to the place where Jesus Christ was crucified. Today we are going to focus on the people gathered around the cross. The view that we find in Mark's gospel is not the view of looking at the cross, but the view that Jesus had from the cross. And the amazing thing about this view from the cross in this present year, is that you can still find the same kinds of personalities that Jesus found when he looked down upon those who had gathered to watch him die.
Simon of Cyrene is the first person mentioned. Can you imagine how Simon felt? Think about it. Simon had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast. He had traveled all the way from Cyrene, an important city on the coast of North Africa that had a large Jewish colony. Simon was either an immigrant living in Jerusalem or more likely, one of the many thousands of pilgrims coming for the Passover festival. Mark is the only gospel that tells us that Simon had sons, Alexander and Rufus, suggesting that they were disciples known to his readers in Rome. Paul wrote in Romans, "Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me" (Romans 16:13 NLT).
You have to admit that you would not have wanted to be in Simon's place. He had come to the Passover festival and carrying a cross was certainly not part of his plans for the day. I'm sure he was angry about this interruption. Undoubtedly his attitude was one of unwilling involvement. Carrying a cross to the hill where criminals were crucified was anything but pleasant.
As we gather on this special day I think it is fair to say that there are many people who are resentful that God would dare change their plans, especially if it meant picking up a cross and carrying it for Jesus. We don't want things to happen to us by surprises that don't fit into our routine. Most of us resent it when some circumstance over which we have no control suddenly changes our plans, especially if it involves pain and suffering. But that is reality and it is one that all of us have to live with from time to time.
Next, the Roman soldiers took Jesus to the place outside but close to the city gates so all who passed by could witness those who were being crucified. The hill where they sank the crosses into the stony earth was commonly called Golgotha, a Greek transliteration of an Aramaic word meaning, the place of the skull. Golgotha was a rounded, rocky outcropping that some said resembled the shape of a human skull.
Gathered around the foot of the cross were the soldiers who had crucified Jesus. These rough Roman soldiers had crucified many people. They undoubtedly had much experience in crucifixion, because when they had finished their work and Jesus was hanging from the cross, these soldiers got out a pair of dice and started a craps game at the foot of the cross.
It seems strange to us that anyone could contemplate the dying of Jesus and carry on in such a way, but here were men who were far more interested in making a buck than they were in the suffering of Jesus or the others there crucified with him.
You know before we become a bit too judgmental we have to at least entertain the notion that we too, in this present time have many people who are not at all concerned about the meaning of the death of Christ. Far too often our whole concern is focused on making a fast buck, just like those soldiers. These soldiers stand forever as examples of those callous individuals who have no interest in the great story of the cross, who shrug their shoulders with indifference to anybody who tries to call their attention to what was really happening on that horrible hill.
As we continue our journey into the Passion of our Lord we are joined by the robbers. Here are two men who had been arrested because of their acts of terror and violence. In today's world they may have been called terrorists because they were professional revolutionaries. They were angry young men, committed to the philosophy of getting what you can any way that you can get it, regardless of who gets hurt in the process. These two looked upon Jesus as the same kind of man. They hated him because he was of no more help to them than they could be to him. However, at sometime during the time they hung next to Jesus dying, one of these men had a change of heart. One of these robbers asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom (Luke 23:40-43).
The fact remains that there are still many today that even at the point of death are filled with enough hate and indifference to mock Jesus. There are still many today who question the power of Christ. There are still many today who seem to think that Jesus was no different than we are, but there are also many who see the need for the Savior and they are next in our story.
In verse 15:29, Mark tells us that there were certain passersby who came by the cross as Jesus was suspended on it. These were just bystanders, but when they saw Jesus, they remembered that he was the one who had made these great claims, and they said, "Look, they've caught you, haven't they? You've gone too far. You were doing fine teaching the people, but then you began making these ridiculous claims that you could destroy the temple and raise it up again. You got what you had coming." They were enjoying the verbal abuse that they put upon Jesus.
I would like to say that things have changed dramatically since that time, but that would not be truthful. Today, in the year 2012 there are many that claim to be followers of Jesus, but when someone says something like, "Jesus is the way and the truth and the life," they back off because they are worried about offending someone who does not feel that way. It is true that we live in a pluralistic society, but that does not change who we are as Christians or at least it should not change that truth. Some people would rather spend their time arguing about whether God made the world in an actual week, or they are worried about the virgin birth or the way to salvation, rather than owning their faith and living out that faith at the foot of the cross.
The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus at the foot of the cross. "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!" Even the two criminals who were being crucified with Jesus ridiculed him (Mark 15:31-32 NLT). It is important to see these priests had been very frightened of Jesus before, but now they were very arrogant. Before, they were threatened by him but now what could he do to them? They screamed out words to Jesus to come down off the cross and then they would believe. They wanted Jesus to abandon the cross. You know, you can just see these guys mocking Jesus. There is a mean streak that runs through most people that usually goes unseen. It is a mean-spirited streak that most people keep in check but occasionally it gets out and these leading priests have let loose their inner hatred and anger.
I would like to think that we are better today than they were then. But the truth of the matter is that there are still religious leaders today who would like us to abandon the cross. It is too gory and bloody they say. However, we must realize that the cross is at the very center of the good news of Jesus Christ. Whether they like it or not, that gory and bloody cross Jesus Christ hung upon is the only way to say out loud that on that cross Jesus paid it all! It is in vogue today to build new sanctuaries without the presence of a cross because too many in the world feel the cross is just too hard to view. Well, it was meant to be hard to view.
Mark tells us that some of the bystanders who were at the cross found it a bit confusing because they thought that Jesus was calling out to Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a stick so he could drink. Leave him alone. "Let's see whether Elijah will come and take him down!" he said (Mark 15: 35-36 NLT). We do not know the names of these people and at first glance, it looks like this man is concerned about Jesus. He runs to get vinegar, which would deaden the pain of suffering and he filled a sponge with it and put it to Jesus' lips. It looks like he is trying to help, but if you look at this account carefully that is not his motive at all. His motive is to see if something exciting will happen. He is not moved by compassion but by curiosity. Remember that Jesus is still awake and he can see what is going on. The view from the cross is never an easy one.
Today things are much the same. I read an account not that long ago about a man who was threatening to jump off the George Washington Bridge. At first several cars pulled over pleading with the man to step back from the railing and not to jump. But the longer the ordeal played out, the stranger the response of people became, until finally a few people just yelled for the guy to go ahead and jump! Who would say such a thing? People who are seeking thrills, people who would stand under the cross and mock Jesus, that's who. We have people that come to our churches not to seek the Savior but to seek a thrill and when they don't find that thrill, they don't come back. As I said above, the view from the cross may turn you off, it is not pretty, but if you wait and if you pay attention you just may end up being saved from jumping off that bridge in your life whatever it may be.
It is at this place in our reading that Jesus dies. Mark still has three more accounts about the people who gathered around the cross but these are people of a different character. These are people who love Jesus, they see what is going on, although they do not necessarily understand what is happening, they know it is life changing.
These are people that you may not have thought would be filled with compassion but there they were. One person you would not have guessed to be a player in this story is the centurion who was in charge of the crucifixion. He had witnessed many such crucifixions in life and he was probably a pagan. He probably believed in many gods. Yet the cross brought to him awareness that what he was watching was no joke. There had been a terrible mistake made. This centurion sees that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, but there is no understanding that there may be help for him in the process. After all, what good could possibly come from a crucifixion?
This wonderful season brings with it the chance that some Christians may still not have a clear view of the cross. I do think that it is still the case today that many people understand God is at work in the death of Jesus. They understand that Jesus was more than just a man but it never gets any further. They are impressed by the cross and impressed by the character of Jesus but it never becomes personalized and they never enter into the value of that death.
There is another scene that is critically important for us today. It is a scene that is played out in most churches every week. We might simply yell out, "Where are the men?" It is a legitimate question, because there were plenty of women around the cross but where were the men? These women were not gathering around the cross in hope but in hopelessness. This is a picture of hopeless commitment. These women were there because of their love for Jesus. But where were the men? There is no need to try to answer that question today but you have to admit it is a good one!
There are many today who believe in God. They believe in the record of the scripture. They believe that God is there and that God works until it comes to that moment of a crisis in their own life. Then their hope is gone. They really have no hope that God actually will act in the hour of despair. While their love remains, their hope and faith are gone. Their faith is strong as long as everything goes well but when the bottom drops out, they still love but their faith is gone.
It is into this situation that Joseph of Arimathea makes an appearance. Mark relates one final scene in verses 42-47.
This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the sabbath. As evening approached, an honored member of the high council, Joseph from Arimathea (who was waiting for the kingdom of God to come), gathered his courage and went to Pilate to ask for Jesus' body. Pilate couldn't believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman military officer in charge and asked him. The officer confirmed the fact, and Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth, and taking Jesus' body down from the cross, he wrapped it in the cloth and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus' body was laid.
-- Mark 15:42-47 NLT
Here is Joseph of Arimathea and where has he been before this? Well, that is a good question. Would it be fair to call him a stealth disciple, looking for the kingdom of God? Obviously Joseph was in some way attracted to Jesus but he was frightened to show himself or to be vocal about it.
We have no record of him ever saying anything before this moment but here he is.
We must not rush to a judgment on him for his silence. His silence is no different than our own. Too often we remain silent about our faith until some moment of crisis forces us to step and speak out. The Lenten season and this Holy Week should be an eye opener to us all that the cross is not a silent sentinel. The cross speaks out to us who are standing around waiting to see what is going to happen. The death of Jesus opened Joseph's eyes and it should do the same for us all. Open your eyes and see; open your eyes, open your hearts and see what Jesus saw from that cruel instrument of torture. He saw people just like us. Look around you, really look and you will see the same people Jesus saw! Joseph found his courage under the cross, where will you find yours? Amen.
Simon of Cyrene is the first person mentioned. Can you imagine how Simon felt? Think about it. Simon had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast. He had traveled all the way from Cyrene, an important city on the coast of North Africa that had a large Jewish colony. Simon was either an immigrant living in Jerusalem or more likely, one of the many thousands of pilgrims coming for the Passover festival. Mark is the only gospel that tells us that Simon had sons, Alexander and Rufus, suggesting that they were disciples known to his readers in Rome. Paul wrote in Romans, "Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me" (Romans 16:13 NLT).
You have to admit that you would not have wanted to be in Simon's place. He had come to the Passover festival and carrying a cross was certainly not part of his plans for the day. I'm sure he was angry about this interruption. Undoubtedly his attitude was one of unwilling involvement. Carrying a cross to the hill where criminals were crucified was anything but pleasant.
As we gather on this special day I think it is fair to say that there are many people who are resentful that God would dare change their plans, especially if it meant picking up a cross and carrying it for Jesus. We don't want things to happen to us by surprises that don't fit into our routine. Most of us resent it when some circumstance over which we have no control suddenly changes our plans, especially if it involves pain and suffering. But that is reality and it is one that all of us have to live with from time to time.
Next, the Roman soldiers took Jesus to the place outside but close to the city gates so all who passed by could witness those who were being crucified. The hill where they sank the crosses into the stony earth was commonly called Golgotha, a Greek transliteration of an Aramaic word meaning, the place of the skull. Golgotha was a rounded, rocky outcropping that some said resembled the shape of a human skull.
Gathered around the foot of the cross were the soldiers who had crucified Jesus. These rough Roman soldiers had crucified many people. They undoubtedly had much experience in crucifixion, because when they had finished their work and Jesus was hanging from the cross, these soldiers got out a pair of dice and started a craps game at the foot of the cross.
It seems strange to us that anyone could contemplate the dying of Jesus and carry on in such a way, but here were men who were far more interested in making a buck than they were in the suffering of Jesus or the others there crucified with him.
You know before we become a bit too judgmental we have to at least entertain the notion that we too, in this present time have many people who are not at all concerned about the meaning of the death of Christ. Far too often our whole concern is focused on making a fast buck, just like those soldiers. These soldiers stand forever as examples of those callous individuals who have no interest in the great story of the cross, who shrug their shoulders with indifference to anybody who tries to call their attention to what was really happening on that horrible hill.
As we continue our journey into the Passion of our Lord we are joined by the robbers. Here are two men who had been arrested because of their acts of terror and violence. In today's world they may have been called terrorists because they were professional revolutionaries. They were angry young men, committed to the philosophy of getting what you can any way that you can get it, regardless of who gets hurt in the process. These two looked upon Jesus as the same kind of man. They hated him because he was of no more help to them than they could be to him. However, at sometime during the time they hung next to Jesus dying, one of these men had a change of heart. One of these robbers asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom (Luke 23:40-43).
The fact remains that there are still many today that even at the point of death are filled with enough hate and indifference to mock Jesus. There are still many today who question the power of Christ. There are still many today who seem to think that Jesus was no different than we are, but there are also many who see the need for the Savior and they are next in our story.
In verse 15:29, Mark tells us that there were certain passersby who came by the cross as Jesus was suspended on it. These were just bystanders, but when they saw Jesus, they remembered that he was the one who had made these great claims, and they said, "Look, they've caught you, haven't they? You've gone too far. You were doing fine teaching the people, but then you began making these ridiculous claims that you could destroy the temple and raise it up again. You got what you had coming." They were enjoying the verbal abuse that they put upon Jesus.
I would like to say that things have changed dramatically since that time, but that would not be truthful. Today, in the year 2012 there are many that claim to be followers of Jesus, but when someone says something like, "Jesus is the way and the truth and the life," they back off because they are worried about offending someone who does not feel that way. It is true that we live in a pluralistic society, but that does not change who we are as Christians or at least it should not change that truth. Some people would rather spend their time arguing about whether God made the world in an actual week, or they are worried about the virgin birth or the way to salvation, rather than owning their faith and living out that faith at the foot of the cross.
The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus at the foot of the cross. "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!" Even the two criminals who were being crucified with Jesus ridiculed him (Mark 15:31-32 NLT). It is important to see these priests had been very frightened of Jesus before, but now they were very arrogant. Before, they were threatened by him but now what could he do to them? They screamed out words to Jesus to come down off the cross and then they would believe. They wanted Jesus to abandon the cross. You know, you can just see these guys mocking Jesus. There is a mean streak that runs through most people that usually goes unseen. It is a mean-spirited streak that most people keep in check but occasionally it gets out and these leading priests have let loose their inner hatred and anger.
I would like to think that we are better today than they were then. But the truth of the matter is that there are still religious leaders today who would like us to abandon the cross. It is too gory and bloody they say. However, we must realize that the cross is at the very center of the good news of Jesus Christ. Whether they like it or not, that gory and bloody cross Jesus Christ hung upon is the only way to say out loud that on that cross Jesus paid it all! It is in vogue today to build new sanctuaries without the presence of a cross because too many in the world feel the cross is just too hard to view. Well, it was meant to be hard to view.
Mark tells us that some of the bystanders who were at the cross found it a bit confusing because they thought that Jesus was calling out to Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a stick so he could drink. Leave him alone. "Let's see whether Elijah will come and take him down!" he said (Mark 15: 35-36 NLT). We do not know the names of these people and at first glance, it looks like this man is concerned about Jesus. He runs to get vinegar, which would deaden the pain of suffering and he filled a sponge with it and put it to Jesus' lips. It looks like he is trying to help, but if you look at this account carefully that is not his motive at all. His motive is to see if something exciting will happen. He is not moved by compassion but by curiosity. Remember that Jesus is still awake and he can see what is going on. The view from the cross is never an easy one.
Today things are much the same. I read an account not that long ago about a man who was threatening to jump off the George Washington Bridge. At first several cars pulled over pleading with the man to step back from the railing and not to jump. But the longer the ordeal played out, the stranger the response of people became, until finally a few people just yelled for the guy to go ahead and jump! Who would say such a thing? People who are seeking thrills, people who would stand under the cross and mock Jesus, that's who. We have people that come to our churches not to seek the Savior but to seek a thrill and when they don't find that thrill, they don't come back. As I said above, the view from the cross may turn you off, it is not pretty, but if you wait and if you pay attention you just may end up being saved from jumping off that bridge in your life whatever it may be.
It is at this place in our reading that Jesus dies. Mark still has three more accounts about the people who gathered around the cross but these are people of a different character. These are people who love Jesus, they see what is going on, although they do not necessarily understand what is happening, they know it is life changing.
These are people that you may not have thought would be filled with compassion but there they were. One person you would not have guessed to be a player in this story is the centurion who was in charge of the crucifixion. He had witnessed many such crucifixions in life and he was probably a pagan. He probably believed in many gods. Yet the cross brought to him awareness that what he was watching was no joke. There had been a terrible mistake made. This centurion sees that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, but there is no understanding that there may be help for him in the process. After all, what good could possibly come from a crucifixion?
This wonderful season brings with it the chance that some Christians may still not have a clear view of the cross. I do think that it is still the case today that many people understand God is at work in the death of Jesus. They understand that Jesus was more than just a man but it never gets any further. They are impressed by the cross and impressed by the character of Jesus but it never becomes personalized and they never enter into the value of that death.
There is another scene that is critically important for us today. It is a scene that is played out in most churches every week. We might simply yell out, "Where are the men?" It is a legitimate question, because there were plenty of women around the cross but where were the men? These women were not gathering around the cross in hope but in hopelessness. This is a picture of hopeless commitment. These women were there because of their love for Jesus. But where were the men? There is no need to try to answer that question today but you have to admit it is a good one!
There are many today who believe in God. They believe in the record of the scripture. They believe that God is there and that God works until it comes to that moment of a crisis in their own life. Then their hope is gone. They really have no hope that God actually will act in the hour of despair. While their love remains, their hope and faith are gone. Their faith is strong as long as everything goes well but when the bottom drops out, they still love but their faith is gone.
It is into this situation that Joseph of Arimathea makes an appearance. Mark relates one final scene in verses 42-47.
This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the sabbath. As evening approached, an honored member of the high council, Joseph from Arimathea (who was waiting for the kingdom of God to come), gathered his courage and went to Pilate to ask for Jesus' body. Pilate couldn't believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman military officer in charge and asked him. The officer confirmed the fact, and Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth, and taking Jesus' body down from the cross, he wrapped it in the cloth and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus' body was laid.
-- Mark 15:42-47 NLT
Here is Joseph of Arimathea and where has he been before this? Well, that is a good question. Would it be fair to call him a stealth disciple, looking for the kingdom of God? Obviously Joseph was in some way attracted to Jesus but he was frightened to show himself or to be vocal about it.
We have no record of him ever saying anything before this moment but here he is.
We must not rush to a judgment on him for his silence. His silence is no different than our own. Too often we remain silent about our faith until some moment of crisis forces us to step and speak out. The Lenten season and this Holy Week should be an eye opener to us all that the cross is not a silent sentinel. The cross speaks out to us who are standing around waiting to see what is going to happen. The death of Jesus opened Joseph's eyes and it should do the same for us all. Open your eyes and see; open your eyes, open your hearts and see what Jesus saw from that cruel instrument of torture. He saw people just like us. Look around you, really look and you will see the same people Jesus saw! Joseph found his courage under the cross, where will you find yours? Amen.
