In this sermon, Pastor Trenton Dorner preaches from Mark 15:21–32, where Jesus was crucified.
From this story, we learn that following Jesus isn’t about watching from a safe distance. It means getting a little bloody ourselves—carrying our own cross as we walk behind Him. Following Jesus may be painful, but He’s worth it.
Check out this sermon to learn more.
Sermon Notes
The Gospel of Mark Things Are Not Always What They Seem // Mark 15:21-32
“And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, ‘The King of the Jews.’And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!’ So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.’ Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.” Mark 15:21-32
Two Main Ideas:
1. What They Did
2. What He Was Doing
What They Did…
1. They Compelled Simon of Cyrene
2. They Brought Him to Golgotha
3. They Offered Him Wine Mixed with Myrrh
4. They Divided His Garments
5. They Crucified Him
WHAT THEY DID 1. They Compelled Simon of Cyrene “And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.” Mark 15:21
“And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.” Luke 23:26
“Simon of Cyrene… the father of Alexander and Rufus…” Mark 15:21
2. They Bought Him to Golgotha “And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull).” Mark 15:22
“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.” John 12:32-33
3. They Offered Him Wine Mixed with Myrrh “And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.” Mark 15:23
4. They Divided His Garments “They crucified him and divided his garments among them…” Mark 15:24
“The Evangelists portray the Son of God as stripped of His clothes that we may know the wealth gained for us by this nakedness, for it shall dress us in God’s sight. God willed His Son to be stripped that we should appear freely, with the angels, in the garments of his righteousness and fullness of all good things.” John Calvin
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
5. They Crucified Him “And they crucified him…” Mark 15:24
“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:18
WHAT HE WAS DOING… 1. Fulfilling Prophecy “And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots of them, to decide what each should take.” Mark 15:24
“They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” Psalm 22:18
2. Establishing His Rule (v.26) “And the inscription of the charge against him read, ‘The King of the Jews.’” Mark 15:26
3. Creating a New Temple “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself…’” Mark 15:29
4. Saving Us “He saved others; he cannot save himself.” Mark 15:31
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:20
