SN - notes from 10/30/10
The Crucifixion of Jesus pt. 10 - burial, rez, + ascension
Mark 15:42-47; Mark 16
review
While Jesus hung on the cross, the passer-bys, the chief priests, the soldiers, and the thieves all mocked Him and told Him to remove Himself from the cross and they would believe - it was the one thing He would not do in order save us.
v42 - Joseph was part of the council that brought Jesus to Pilate
observation 1 - he went from being silent when they initially turned Jesus in, to showing true boldness when the 11 disciples did not - trials bring out the best and worst in people, that’s God uses them!
observation 2 - what he had to offer was both unique and necessary b/c tombs such as these were very expensive. Do you have something unique to offer the Lord?
v43 - What was Joseph waiting for/what is the Kingdom of God?
“The Kingdom of God” is a dominant biblical theme (OT and NT), with several names and 3 main applications:
the names
Kingdom of God - (Matt. 6:33; Mark 1:14, 15) = “kingdom of Christ” (Matt. 13:41; 20:21) = “kingdom of Christ and of God” (Eph. 5:5) = “kingdom of David” (Mark 11:10) = “the kingdom” (Matt. 8:12; 13:19) = “kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 3:2)
the OT concept
Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Daniel 2:44
And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
the 3 main applications -
All the following verses denote the same concept (Kingdom of God) in 3 different manifestations: (1) Christ’s rule on the earth (2) the future/spiritual realm of heaven (3) the subjects of this kingdom (the church) and their “love” and “works” that benefit the present and future
I. In the temporal sense, consider the following verses:
Mark 1:14-15 - Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Matt. 12:28 - But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Mark 9:1 - And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”
Romans 14:16-17 - Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
1 Cor. 4:20 - For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
Col. 4:10-11 - Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
2. In the eternal/future sense, consider the following verses:
1 Cor. 16:9 - Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived
1 Cor. 15:50 - Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
Matt. 19:24 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Mark 9:47 - And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire…
Mark 14:25 - Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Luke 7:28 - For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Acts 14:21 - And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Ephesians 5:5 - For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
3. Both temporal and future are correct -
The parable of the Growing Seed in Mark 4:26-29
The parable of the Mustard Seed in Mark 4:30-33
Acts 8:12 - But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized
Acts 28:23 - So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.
Acts 28:31 - preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
Rev. 12:10 - Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
So unlike Joseph, we no longer need to wait for the kingdom of God in a temporal sense - it arrived when Jesus died and was resurrected. We continue to preach the kingdom, live the kingdom, and wait for the eternal kingdom of God.
v44 - Pilate marveled b/c you usually took a longer time to die on the cross - the centurion would have seen many deaths by crucifixion, so it would’ve easy for him to confirm Jesus’ death.
v47 - interesting that a few women and a newly repentant council member are there with Jesus in the end - it’s not what you say or how you start, it’s how you finish that truly matters.
Chapter 16 - 1 year and 11 months later :)
v1a - when the sabbath had passed…
observation - this means that saturday was over and sunday had begun - this makes it the 3rd day since He was crucified on friday.
v1b - bought spices
observation - worship should always be original and never generic. Recall that Nicodemus had also bought 100 lbs. of spice in John 19:39 - they wanted to use their own “spice”.
v3 - who will roll the stone away?
observation - the practical thing they did was use their own money to buy spices to embalm Jesus, the supernatural thing they needed God to do was remove the rock - we often work with God in this same balance.
v5 - …they saw a young man…
observation - God likes to throw curve balls (like the Macedonian call in Acts 16) - be prepared for an adventure!
v6 - do not be alarmed, you seek Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen!
observation 1 - don’t be alarmed b/c now we know: GOD LOVES US: Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
observation 2 - observation 1 - don’t be alarmed b/c now we have assurance of SALVATION - ‘If Christ has not been raised,…then our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain. … If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins’ (1 Cor. 15:14)
observation 3 - don’t be alarmed b/c now we have a FOCAL POINT - ‘If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above … ’ (Col. 3:1).
observation 4 - don’t be alarmed b/c now we have: POWER - Paul speaks of his desire to know Christ ‘and the power of his resurrection’ (Phil. 3:10)
Observation 5 - don’t be alarmed b/c now we have: HOPE - 1 Cor. 16:15-19 - For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Observation 6 - don’t be alarmed b/c now we have: RELATIONSHIP - 1 Peter 3:18 - For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…
and
But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.
Observation 7 - don’t be alarmed b/c now we have MISSION - Mark 16:15 - “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
and that’s a wrap!