Mark 15:23-32

22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.

23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.

24 And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.

25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.

26 And the inscription of His accusation was written above:

THE KING OF THE JEWS.

27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.

28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”

29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,

30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”

31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.

32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.”

Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

Context

• What kind of torture did Jesus endure to this point? (Mark 14:65, 15:15-20)

Reflection

1. Why the drink? Why did He refuse it? (Psalm 69:21, Proverbs 31:6, Mark 14:25, 36, Luke 23:36-37)
2. Why did they gamble over His clothes? (Psalm 22:18, 69:21, Matthew 27:34, John 19:23, 24)
3. Why didn’t He ‘save Himself’? (Matthew 27:39-44, Mark 8:31, 32, Luke 4:6, 19:10, 23:35, 36, John 3:17)
4. What’s significant about the two thieves?
   (Isaiah 53:12, Luke 5:32, 7:34, 23:39-43, 1 Timothy 1:15)

Testimony Time

1. How does His Grace shine even in dying?
2. Which thief are you? (Luke 18:13, 14, Romans 5:8, 10:13, Ephesians 2:1-4)