The Scapegoat
(Mark 15:1-15)
Pastor Josh Whitney
(josh@trc.life)
Mark 15:1 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
1 . God is accomplishing his purposes through
Mark 15:6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
2 . Do you turn away from God when he doesn’t fulfill
3 .
[Parallel passages: Matthew 27:1-26, Luke 23:1-25, and John
Discussion Questions
Why do you think Jesus was so quiet before Pilate and his accusers?
Why do you think the crowd turned on Jesus?
What expectations has God not met in your life and how is that impacting your attitude toward him? How can you turn toward him in faith?
When we strive to please people, sometimes that can lead to bad decisions. Who are the people you are striving to please in your life? Where in your life do you need to make a choice to please God and not people?