And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him.

Mark 15:1-20

And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. Mark 15:17-19

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is, per the commentary, the second division of the text from Mark 15:1-20 - vv15-20.  

• Using the Sword Bible Study Method focusing just on the text for today - vv15-20: (1) God in the text: Further along the story arc of His arrest, Jesus is scourged (v15) and led away from the Jewish elders, scribes, chief priests and Sanhedrin and brought inside Pilate's headquarters where ~600 soldiers were gathered to be at the ready in case of civil unrest (v16); Jesus is beaten and mocked and then led away to be crucified (vv17-20); (2) People in the text: Pilate's struggle over what to do with Jesus ends as he satisfies the Jewish crowd to crucify Jesus (v15); Barrabas is released (v15); the soldiers lead Jesus away, mock and beat Him before leading Him away to be crucified (vv16-20); (3) Sins to avoid, promises to claim, examples to follow, and commands to obey: We should not mock Jesus, instead see Him as King of Kings with an eternal kingdom not of this world - who takes upon Himself the sin of the world and God's wrath for this sin to save all of humanity; in the face of persecution, we should be steadfast in our faith.    

Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) division: 

• The title of the third division is "Our Great King’s Suffering: The Pain and Shame."   
• "Mocking is clearly highlighted, but the focus is much more on the spiritual and psychological agony. Still, we would be negligent if we passed over too quickly the scourging and physical abuse He suffered."
• "Completely alone, humiliated, naked, and beaten nearly to death, our Savior endured yet again ridicule, shame, and pain at the hands of sinful men, at the hands of those He came to save."
• We are reminded how Jesus redeemed us from the curse set in motion during the Fall (Genesis 3).  He becomes the curse for us.  See also Deuteronomy 21:23.     

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God that willingly sent His Son to die on the cross, and Jesus willingly submitted to Your Will so that I could have life now to the full and for eternity in Heaven.  Thank You!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.