Mark 15-16

Chapter 15 is full of ironies that clothe the most astounding truths one can ever hear.  Only the learned Bible student can hear the echoes of Old Covenant writings of coming the King and Kingdom as Jesus is being led to Pilate, questioned, beaten, and crucified.  The irony of the fetters binding Jesus to His captors speaks only of Jesus in a figure binding Himself to His Father’s will, to carry out the greatest act of love mankind will ever know, and many more in their ignorance will never truly see, the ignorant in darkness who bound Him as though He would look for escape.

God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light:
bind the sacrifice with cords,
even unto the horns of the altar.
Thou art my God, and I will praise thee:
thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good:
for his mercy endureth for ever.
                                           -Psalm 118:27-29

Pilate asks, “Are you the King of the Jews?”  An accusation by the mouths of men still in utter darkness but ironically is the truth of the ages firmly in established by God unfailing promises to Israel.

They accused Him crime after crime, degrading His holy character, and shaming His name, but he remained silent to the charges, as though God would need to give an answer to those whom He has created.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted;
yet he opened not his mouth:
he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb,
so he openeth not his mouth.
Isaiah 53:7

There is the irony of Barabbas whom was more than worthy to die for treason and murder, but now his freedom has been secured by the chains of Jesus.

…and he was numbered with the transgressors;
and he bare the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:12

He was led into the Praetorium, and the entire regiment was called out where they together mocked Him and beat Him.  They ironically placed a “crown” of thorns on His head and dressed Him in a kingly robe.  I see two things under the surface here:

1. God uses heathen nations to carry out His judgments, as He now is carrying out judgment on His own Son by wicked hands.

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin… -Isaiah 53:10

2. The robe, the crown, though delivered in a mocking tirade surely no less reminded Jesus of the glory that awaits the other side of the cross.  As though the Father is saying, “just a bit more longer my Son, almost there!”

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  -Hebrews 12:2

The people gathered to mock Him, quoting the words He taught them, though having heard, they still misunderstood. “You said you will destroy the temple and in three days rebuild it! Look at You now!”  Yes, look at the irony.  Look at Him now, the temple is a meeting place between God and man, here being remade on the cross.  Three days from then will the new Temple be dedicated and all who come to God will be through Him.

The leaders of religion and politics ironically cried out “He saved others, He can’t saved Himself!” They said this with all the sarcasm they could muster in their voices, but herein lies the irony, it’s precisely  because He came to save others that He cannot saved Himself. One simple nod to the host of angels with sword in hand would have surely saved the Prince, but  leave these scoffers in their condemnation forever.

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