Rattle: Friday’s disappointment

Sermon series based on Rattle by Elevation Worship

Mark 15:33-16:8, we read about Jesus' final hours. In agony from His wounds, Jesus draws His last breath and cries, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus is experiencing hell's ultimate punishment and agony—being complete separation from God. Yet, as our Savior, Jesus took the full penalty for our sin so that once and for all, we could be reconciled to God.

Immediately, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. Jesus' body is given to Joseph of Arimathea, who wraps the body in linen, lays it in a tomb, and rolls a stone across the entrance. Friday was a day marked by darkness, desertion, and death. Not only was the sky dark, so were the hearts of Jesus' followers who seemingly deserted Him at His darkest hour. Peter denied Jesus three times within hours of His death, and Judas' betrayal of Jesus led him to take his own life in shame and regret. Many of Jesus' followers felt deserted by Him as they believed He would restore Israel to its former glory by establishing His kingdom here on earth. Instead, their hopes are dashed—the Messiah is dead.

But, Friday's disappointment leads to Sunday's empty tomb (Mark 16). The following day, women who had been followers of Jesus—Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome—go to the grave to anoint the body of Jesus, but instead of His body, they find the stone rolled away, revealing an empty tomb.

God's revelation gives meaning. The empty tomb is significant not only because of what is missing but also because of what is revealed - God's word. The women at the tomb encounter an angel who says, "You're looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified" - removing all doubt, this was the tomb where Jesus was laid. The empty tomb proves Jesus is alive.

God is not done with you. The angel tells the women, "Go tell the disciples and Peter." The last time we saw Peter, he wept over his denial of Jesus, thinking all was lost and he'd been a fool. But, it is precisely in these times that God chooses us. Just as the death of Jesus was not the end of the story, your failure does not have to be the end of yours.

God is not bound by your expectation. Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Salome had watched Jesus die, followed Joseph as he laid His body to rest, and watched as the stone was rolled across the entrance to the tomb. They had every reason to expect Jesus' body to be there, but instead, they found an angel with Good News—Jesus was alive. God can do even that which you expect to be impossible.

God is terrifyingly good. The women's reaction was likely precisely what ours would be in that situation. Absolute terror. Instead of anointing Jesus' body for burial, the angel gives them a more significant mission; "Go tell the disciples and Peter."

Just as in Jesus' day, our world seems chaotic and evil too often seems to be winning. But, the message of the resurrection is this: Jesus is alive. All will be made right one day, and evil will be defeated forever. We have victory over sin and death and the promise of salvation because He has risen.

Where do you think the disciples were when Jesus was crucified? Why do you think they stayed away?
There is significance any time someone is mentioned by name in Scripture. Who are the three women mentioned? What is their connection to Jesus?
Place yourself at the foot of the cross as one of Jesus' followers. What emotions and thoughts would be racing through your mind?
Why do you think the sun stopped shining? What did it signify? (Mark 15:33)
Contrast Jesus' brutal death on the cross with leaders of other world religions (e.g., Mohammed, Confucius, Buddha). How are Jesus' life, death, and resurrection evidence of His divinity?
Think of the people mentioned in these passages: the crowd, the centurion, the women, John, Joseph, Pilate. Who do you most identify with?
Jesus, as He is dying, quotes Psalm 22, crying, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When Jesus quotes verse one, He most likely intended the crowd —and us today— to remember that Psalm 22 is a song of complete victory. It is comprised of two distinct sections: verses 1-18 and 19-31. How does Psalm 22 parallel the story of Friday's disappointment and Sunday's empty tomb? How does reading the whole Psalm change how you view Jesus' last words?

Action Step: Ask yourself what disappointment you’re holding on to that is keeping you from the freedom and hope of Sunday's empty tomb. Surrender it to Jesus today and ask for His strength to leave it at the foot of the cross.

Prayer Prompt: Father, we thank You for Friday’s disappointment that led to Sunday’s empty tomb. Help me to admit my tendency to see failure as the end of the story and slide into defeat. When life’s struggles seem unsurmountable, help me to surrender to You, trusting one step of faith brings help and healing through You. Move in my heart today. Amen