“Characters of the Cross – What do we do with Jesus?” An examination of Mark 14:53 - 15:20

It is interesting to examine this text from Mark’s Gospel in terms of the various characters involved in the lead up to the cross.

But first it’s interesting to notice how each of the four segments of this passage conclude.

At the conclusion of Jesus’ trial before the religious leaders (14:65), we see Jesus spat upon, blindfolded, mocked, struck and beaten. When Peter realised the gravity of what he had done in denying Jesus, he broke down and wept (14:72). When Pilate was done with Jesus (15:15), Jesus was flogged and handed over for crucifixion. In the hands of the Roman soldiers (15:17-20), Jesus was again mocked, struck and spat upon.

This demonstrates for us two things that lie deep in the human heart. Firstly, when there is hardheartedness or an unwillingness to understand something outside of our own scheme of things … violence can be the outcome. Secondly, when we cannot for whatever reason stand for what we know is right … an experience of guilt and shame can follow, which can in turn lead to many tears. This is why it is helpful to look at these characters, to see what lay behind their actions, and to look for warning signs – lest we fall into similar traps.

(1) The Religious (14:53-65)

Throughout the whole of Jesus’ ministry the religious leaders had set their minds toward Jesus’ demise and sought to find ways of bringing him undone. They sought to trap him with loaded questions, judge the behaviour of his followers, and generally manipulate events against Jesus gaining any influence … however they were largely unsuccessful. This was because their particular day of relevance had passed, but they hadn’t realised it yet.

They here tried to orchestrate a trial that would lead to an ultimately negative judgement … however they struggled to find reliable testimony. Among them lies were uttered, and there was utter confusion over what Jesus had said and what such words meant – thus no possible grounds for censure let alone conviction could be found. Jesus of course had been able to trump their questioning for three years with his superior understanding of the ways of God.

It was only when Jesus proclaimed the truth of his identity (14:62), that the unbelieving chiefs priests and their accomplices were able to proceed with the charge of blasphemy. This charge of course was wrong, because Jesus was exactly who he said he was. But for those who were so set against this possibility, this was a convenient track to go down, for the ‘Caesar’ conscious Romans were bound to be worried by any suggestion of a rival to the throne. Here two sets of cultural insecurities met, and the violence against Jesus proceeded.

The problem was: Resistance to Change.

Jesus gave good reasons why the temple specifically, and other religious practices generally, needed to be reformed, but the messenger was rejected. Remember in chapter 11 and verse 17 Jesus saying: “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers” … Jesus here referring to people (especially Gentiles) being impeded from being able to connect with God (with the way in which the temple precinct was being operated).

A lack of care for the needs of another cultural group had resulted in temple practices being hypocritical. Yet when called to account, personal offence got in the way of clear thinking. Whenever there is preference for the way things have always been done, even when they have obviously failed the people, it is likely that the Spirit of God is being resisted. Even if this doesn’t result in actual physical violence, it is likely that violence is being done to the Name of God!

It just so happens that the grace and power of God was too extensive to be defeated by the vain attempts of humans to control affairs themselves, leading to Jesus’ resurrection and a complete turn of events towards a new Spirit-led Jesus focussed movement completely open to Gentile peoples (which we see developing through the book of Acts and the letters of Paul). Yet those resistant to change would never be able to play a part in this.

(2) The Friend (14:66-72)

It’s hard to escape – it can be a very small world sometimes … “beware your sins will find you out”, they say! Peter was trying to keep a low profile, for he had experienced a very tumultuous time. He had sensed a call to something significant, there had been some exciting adventures, and Peter had seen some success as a follower of Jesus. But at other times he had to be sternly corrected and challenged for his lack of understanding, and Jesus had even predicted that Peter would even deny knowing Jesus. Now Jesus had been arrested and put on trial … this was all too much! But as Peter hid away in self-preservation, he was recognised.

The pressure of this recognition, before he had come to terms with the circumstances surrounding him, caused Peter to dig a hole for himself. When the cock crowed, Peter was reminded of Jesus’ prediction and the words that he had uttered in response: “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you” (14:31). Such failure in the face of such stated confidence elicited guilt and shame and a flood of tears. We know that the Peter story actually has a wonderful conclusion, that Peter, following Jesus’ resurrection, experienced forgiveness and reinstatement to ministry and leadership.

But in the mean time, Peter’s problem was: Fear.

We could understand this … how all the complexity of leaving the fishing business to follow someone he just met all around Palestine – someone who seemed to upset as many people as he helped, someone with such different priorities and attitudes than the general populace, who showed so much love and mercy in the name of God, yet talked about his immanent death in seemingly such defeatist terms. And this latter part, Peter had certainly not signed on for – how could any good come out of this crucifixion occurring! So here was a fear of not knowing all the details, of not being in control, of having an unknown future, of having to trust outside of oneself, of standing out in the crowd (as being a follower of Jesus).

It was not until the Holy Spirit came upon Peter at Pentecost that this fear dissipated. We too can take our fear to foot of the cross, embrace grace, and have the effectiveness of the risen Jesus placed within us. It is as we are prepared to take a step of faith, and be prepared to happily stand out in the crowd, to determine to trust God for the outcomes, that fear will subside.

(3) The Politician (15:1-15)

The chief priests take Jesus to Pilate, because if they can get Pilate to acknowledge that their charge of blasphemy represents an insurrectionist or political threat to the Romans, then Pilate may well crucify Jesus, and the responsibility will be seen to rest with him and not them. Pretty cunning! Pontius Pilate was the Roman Governor of Judea under Tiberius Caesar from 26 to 36 CE; his duties being collecting taxes and commanding the Roman troops of the region. Pilate’s major responsibility though was keeping the peace at any cost. When the Jewish religious leadership stirred up hysteria amongst the people, Pilate would have to respond.

To the charge of claiming to be a king, Jesus replies in an ambiguous way; after all, how was Jesus going to explain the nature of his messiahship to a Roman when many leading Jews had not understood. And then, in the face of constant half-truths and lies, Jesus remains silent. No wonder Pilate was amazed (15:5), when the only peaceful attitude in this scene was being displayed by the one facing ultimate violence.

Despite knowing what the chief priests were up to, and the fact that Jesus was probably an innocent man, Pilate was most concerned how his actions would be viewed by his superiors and by the crowd (who he had to keep under control or he would lose his job). If Jesus had to be sacrificed on the altar of Roman pragmatism, then so be it.

There seems to be a tinge of conscience shown in Pilate as he contemplates an alternative, even the fairly unpalatable possibility of releasing a political agitator like Barabbas. It is ironic that this man of violence Barabbas was spared from death through a violent act being perpetrated on an innocent man – isn’t that the gospel salvation message in a nutshell.

That all this got the better of Pilate is seen in his callous handing over of Jesus for flogging and subsequent crucifixion. Pilate went against his better judgement in the protection of his own position and to limit repercussions that might come back in his direction.

Pilate’s problem was: Personal Agenda being ahead of any sense of right or wrong.

Can we excuse Pilate because of the level of pressure he was under? I don’t think so. Each of us must take responsibility for our actions, even when we have been manipulated or have been under-resourced in the ability to make good decisions. When we make judgements and decisions we remain responsible for their outcomes. Often our decision-making can be taken in isolation from those around us, but we must always consider the ramifications on others of our decisions and actions. Pilate handed over a man of peace to suffer violence simply to save his own bacon.

(4) The State (15:16-20)

Jesus is then publicly mocked and humiliated by a “whole cohort”, which would indicate hundreds of soldiers. Duty alone would not lead them to behave like this … what would I wonder?? Here was a man rejected by his own people and then cast aside by the leading politician – why not join in! They had no idea who they were treating so badly.

The Problem was: Ignorance

The behaviour of these soldiers, although still so inhumane, is probably the most understandable of all, because they had little awareness of the evil of these actions. The violent nature of what they had been called upon to do in their profession has completely overwhelmed who they were. Many in our society act in ways contrary to God’s ways, some in horrific ways toward other people, seemingly knowing no better. This behaviour, although it can be forgiven, should never be excused. Yet, very often, this happens as a result of not knowing the God that we have come to know … the loving, merciful, forgiving, transforming, saving God.

Our responsibility is to confront ignorance with the love and grace of God and the wonder and friendship of Jesus.

(5) The Mob (15:8-14)

Backtracking to the mob scene (15:8-14), we wonder how many of these people now so outrageously misled to be yelling out “Crucify him”, were about five days earlier crying out “Hosanna” (11:9)! One wonders how many of these people were at the feeding of the five thousand, or when Jesus healed countless people, or rushed to hear the next extraordinary response to the Pharisees … impressed, but not enough to choose to follow him. Was it some of the harder sayings of Jesus about loving your enemy or forgiving a debt that dissuaded them? At any rate, some people obviously just couldn’t decide about Jesus.

The problem was: Indecision.

We know that the inability to make good decisions can lead down some very dark pathways. When Pilate asked the mob “what evil has Jesus done”, they couldn’t name any … they just shouted “Crucify him” all the more.

For any of us, today may be the day to leave indecision behind.

Do you want to follow Jesus today? Jesus is the one who gave up his life so that we might become reconnected with God. Jesus took all the violence, guilt and shame within us (as exhibited in the characters in this narrative) upon himself to the cross and dealt with it there. Jesus willingly went to the cross so that we could find harmony with God, and peace with who we are.

You can come right as you are, there is no way you can be good enough to receive Jesus as your Saviour, the one who takes your isolation and sin upon himself – you only have to be ready to follow Jesus in everyday life. There is no reason to wait, unless you want to waste more time. Don’t let indecision beat you. God loves you. Come, follow Jesus!