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“The Passion of Our Lord: ‘Eloi, Eloi, Lema Sabachthani?’” (Mark 15:33-47) “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” So cries Jesus from the cross, as found in Matthew and Mark, where it is the only word from the cross that is recorded. “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” What is so striking about this is that it is spoken, and recorded for us, in another language. That language is Aramaic, which is sort of a cousin to Hebrew. Aramaic was the everyday language that Jewish people like Jesus spoke at that time. And we find several places in the gospels where Jesus’ words in Aramaic...

“The Passion of Our Lord: Suffered under Pontius Pilate” (Mark 15:1-32) Tonight we continue our series on “The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Mark.” During this series, we’re going through Mark chapters 14 and 15 piece by piece. Now we come to chapter 15. It’s Good Friday, when Jesus is handed over to the Roman governor to suffer and die. And so our theme tonight: “The Passion of Our Lord: Suffered under Pontius Pilate.” To set the scene: Jesus was betrayed and arrested the night before, was tried by the Jewish Sanhedrin, and found guilty of...

“The Passion of Our Lord: Truth on Trial” (Mark 14:53-72) It’s Thursday night, late. Overnight, really. Heading into Friday. And truth is on trial. Jesus is on trial. So is the Sanhedrin that is trying him. So is Peter, his disciple. And so are we, frankly. Who will pass the test? Let’s find out. And so our theme tonight: “The Passion of Our Lord: Truth on Trial.” Jesus is on trial. He’s appearing before the Jewish council, the Sanhedrin. The council is comprised of the high priest, the chief priests, the elders, the scribes, and other representatives of the Jewish...

“The Passion of Our Lord: Praying in Gethsemane” (Mark 14:32-52) So it’s Thursday night. Jesus and the disciples have been celebrating the Passover. At the end of that meal, Jesus institutes a new Passover, the new covenant in his body and blood. At the same time, Jesus knows that one of his disciples will betray him that very night and that he will be handed over to be killed. There’s a lot on his mind, to be sure! Now the meal has concluded. Jesus leads the disciples out of the city and up the Mount of Olives. Oh, they’ve been...

“The Passion of Our Lord: Blessing before Betrayal” (Mark 14:12-31) For these midweek Lenten services, we’re doing a series on “The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Mark.” We’re working our way through Mark chapters 14 and 15, where Christ willingly enters into his time of suffering for our salvation. Last week we began with the account of Jesus being anointed with pure nard and then explaining that this was to prepare him for his burial. Our Lord knew what was coming, and still he went through with what lay ahead. That’s how strong his love for...

“The Passion of Our Lord: Anointed for Burial” (Mark 14:1-11) This year Ash Wednesday happens to fall on Valentine’s Day. And I think that’s a happy coincidence. Because on Valentine’s Day, our thoughts are all about love. And there is no greater love than the love that God has for us in sending us our Savior Jesus Christ. As it says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Or in 1 John chapter 4: “In this is love, not that...