Triumph Over Adversity
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Key Verse: “He saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.” Lesson Scriptures: |
AFTER EATING THE PASSOVER, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Judas came with a multitude sent by the chief priests, scribes and elders, and they arrested Jesus. He was brought before the high priest and accused by false witnesses. He was then sent to Pilate who interrogated him and tried to have him released, but the people shouted, “Crucify him.”—Mark 15:13
After Pilate flogged Jesus, he was delivered to the soldiers to be crucified. They led him out and on the way compelled Simon a Cyrenian, who was passing by, to bear his cross. They brought Jesus to Golgotha, which means “The place of a skull” (vs. 22), because the hill closely resembles a skull. As Jesus is about to be crucified, those performing the execution offered him wine mixed with myrrh, which he refused. No doubt the wine was offered to dull Jesus’ senses so he would experience some relief from the horrible pain of crucifixion; and the myrrh, which is often reserved for royalty, alluded to the real kingship of Jesus.—Mark 15:23, (New International Version)
“It was the third hour, and they crucified him.” (vs. 25) The charge written above Jesus on the cross, read, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (vs. 26) “They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!’ … ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself!’”—vss. 27-31, NIV
“One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ‘Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,’ he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’”—vss. 36-39, NIV
Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who shared with Jesus the expectation of God’s kingdom, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. He gave it to him. (vss. 43,45) “Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.”—vss. 46,47, NIV
When the Sabbath was over, these two brought spices that they might anoint Jesus’ body. Early in the morning on the first day of the week they came unto the sepulchre at the “rising of the sun.” (ch. 16:2) On their way to the tomb they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” (vs. 3, NIV) When they looked up they saw that the stone had been rolled away and a young man clothed in a white robe was sitting on the right side. “‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.’” (vs. 6, NIV) The resurrection of our Lord is the assurance of the resurrection of all mankind.