“They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross” (Mark 15:21).

Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus.  He was someone who was known by Mark.  The Lord uses every circumstance to provide an opportunity to know Him.  The invitation comes to us in our everyday living.  We are offered the opportunity to willingly come into the Lord’s service.  The world will conscript us, but the Lord invites us.  Even when oppressed by the world, there is still opportunity to know Jesus.

Heavenly Father, help me to understand by Your Holy Spirit that You are always speaking to me.  Help me to know that the world is constantly forcing me in one direction or another, but that You are offering me the ability to see through the struggle that is going on around me.  The world seeks to kill Jesus at all times.  Yes, He died for our sake, but we know that He is resurrected and that because Jesus lives, we too live.  Help me to live in the clarity Your word gives me.

Lord Jesus, the indignities this world have been heaped upon You.  How exasperating sinning must be to You, yet You still loved us enough to go to the cross.  Lead me out of the mire of this world’s thinking to understand more clearly that, no matter what the circumstance are, I know that You are with me.  Guide me in the goodness of Your grace and mercy so that I may walk in whichever way You lead.  No matter what the world does, help me to learn the lessons You will teach me.  Amen.

“They kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him.  After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him” (Mark 15:19-20).

What purpose is there in mockery?  One sees the anger and vitriol, but what is its purpose?  Humiliation?  What a sad state to which sin has devolved.  The One through whom all things have their being is beaten and mocked.  Sin mocks the very power that allows it to mock at all.  The world encourages us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought.  The world hates the One who created all things.

Lord, I was born into a world that hates You.  I do not even know where to begin.  Those little things in me that do the same thing, I am often not even aware of.  I need to be saved from the crazy way this world treats You and others.  You came and endured humiliation and pain for my sake.  Lead me away from such thinking so that I may have the opportunity to understand things as You created them to be.

Lord Jesus, You did this for me?  I do not want to look.  I do not want to see the price You paid.  Is this what sin devolves to – destruction?  Lead me out of the mess in my mind to understand more clearly that You alone are the Sovereign One.  You have come to lead me into a new life.  Help me to live into the life You are offering me.  Guide me along the narrow way which leads to eternal life.  Lead me, my Lord, Savior, and God.  Amen.

“The soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they called together the whole Roman cohort.  They dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; and they began to acclaim Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Mark 15:16-18)

Jesus is mocked.  This world continues to mock and beat upon Jesus.  If you follow Him, there are those who will mock you.  How can you believe such things?  What?  The truth?  Our Lord and Savior has come to us; the light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness does not comprehend Him.  You have seen His light, and you are called to follow Him.  Come unto the Lord and follow the One who saves you.

Holy and Triune LORD, You have told me that I would be persecuted for Your name’s sake.  Help me to not be carried away by the crowds or their pressures.  Help me to reason with the ability You have given me so that I may understand more clearly the truth in every situation.  Guide me to withstand those things that might lead me away from the relationship I have with You.  I need to be saved from the wickedness of this world.  You alone can, and do save.

Lord Jesus, You have taken a beating for each one of us.  I do not comprehend how or why; but believe You have done so for my sake.  Grant me courage to do my part so that I may learn from You how to be faithful to what is true.  You have given me the words which are true and provided the warnings I need.  Lead me, Lord, so that I live according to the word You have given me.  Amen.

“But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!”  Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified” (Mark 15:14-15).

Mob rule is the playground of evil.  When people are not thinking and are driven by a mob, they will side with whatever the politics of the moment are.  Worse, later crowds will mimic the crowd and continue the evil by persecuting others in the name of what a mob did.  The Jews killed Jesus, the Pilgrims killed supposed witches, and the Germans killed the Jews.  History is filled with such wickedness.  Salvation brings you into a righteous mind.

Heavenly Father, I have been guilty of being carried away with mobs.  I am hammered all day long with enticement to become a part of the crowd.  I do not know what or whom to trust.  Turn me from the world to You, for You have given me the words of everlasting life.  Help me to live humbly and trust what You have said above all the noise of this world.  Aid me to think things through, and even if I be the only one in a crowd who does so, keep me holding fast to the truth You have revealed.

Lord Jesus, You know how difficult it is in this world gone mad.  I am constantly pushed to get in line with the mind of the crowd, but there are often things that do not add up.  Help me to learn how to reason and think things through.  Help me to choose the path that You have revealed to be true so that I am not caught up in the insanity of this age.  Lead me to live a life that is true to You as best I can.  Amen.

“But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.  Answering again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”  They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” (Mark 15:11-13)

Politicians love to stir up a crowd.  In the throng, someone will say, “People are saying.”  Who are these so-called ‘people’?  They are manipulated with the appearance of legitimacy through the mob.  But the Lord deals with each one of us personally.  One with the Lord is an overwhelming majority.  Do not seek to please (or use) the crowd; but seek to humbly walk with Your Creator.

Lord God, You who made all things have witnessed generation after generation sinning with impunity.  Crowds are stirred and used in the name of justice, and have wreaked havoc upon humanity.  Help me to neither be one to stir the crowd, nor one with the crowd, but look to You alone as the source of all goodness.  Strip me of sin and fill me with Your Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, the world wants to be done with You.  They want You, through whom they and all things exist, to just go away.  But You came to give me a new life through grace.  Guide me to live this new life knowing that in You alone is there hope and a future.  Teach me all that I need so that I live into the life You are giving me.  Lead me in Your righteousness to always be in Your presence.  Amen.

“The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them.  Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?”  For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy” (Mark 15:8-9).

Pilate is playing a political game.  The accusers are filled with envy.  The mob is stirred up, playing their games too.  Peter has denied the Lord.  Such wretchedness.  Jesus has come into the middle of this to awaken those who could and will be awakened.  We need not become absorbed in the insanity of this worldly way of living.  He did what He did so that we can be at peace with God and each other.

Lord, help me to see how crazy this game is.  In this world, people crawl on top of each other, each for their own reasons.  Help me to live knowing that in You alone is there real life and a future of hope.  You have come to slay sin and raise us to live as life is meant to be lived.  Lead me, Lord Jesus, out of the mire of this world in order that I may live into the life which is eternal.  This new life has come because You died for me.

My Lord and Savior, I am unable to imagine the indignities You suffered for my sake.  You willingly went through this and to the cross in order that I might be set free from sin’s bondage.  You have freed me, Lord.  Help me to live into this new life with gratitude and flee from all that would ensnare me.  Guide me in the Holy Spirit to walk following You all the days of my life.  Amen.

“Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested.  The man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection” (Mark 15:6-7).

Beware of what this world calls justice.  The wicked go free and the innocent are held captive.  It is politics used for the sake of appeasing the mob.  Insurrectionists murder in an attempt to gain their ideals.  The world is summed up in this passage.  The Savior has come to free us from this injustice and the sin which masks the injustice that has ruled this age.  Do not be led by politics, but by the Prince of peace.

Lord, I have my opinions and participate in civic duties as I should; but help me so that I do not become absorbed in this world’s idea of justice.  You alone are just and You alone are able to dispense true justice.  From the world’s perspective, I am let off because of what Christ has done.  From what the world says, You have reconciled me to You.  Help me to trust You even with these things which I can barely begin to comprehend.

Lord Jesus, You have conquered death by Your death.  You are the source of all justice.  Keep me from the snare of the idea of justice in this world in order that I may live according to the word You have given me.  You are our righteousness.  Criminals may go free, but You grant us new hearts so that we may live in the true freedom which You give by grace.  Guide me to live in righteousness and freedom, which is in and through You.  Amen.

“The chief priests began to accuse Him harshly.  Then Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!”  But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed” (Mark 15:3-5).

Most of us would have an argument to make.  We are filled with self-justification.  Could we even imagine being guilty of nothing and standing trial?  Jesus did not answer.  He took what was given.  We who are guilty were replaced by the One who has no guilt.  He literally took our place!  How great is the love our Lord has for us.  Receive His love and walk in the truth that You are precious to the Lord.

Lord, I cannot fathom the depth of Your willingness to take my place.  You were condemned so that I could be freed from the condemnation of sin.  Lead me in the way of life that I may learn from You, and even if falsely accused, not seek to react as sinners react.  Guide me to defend myself by Your leading, yes, but willing to pay the small price compared to the great price You paid for my eternal freedom.

Grant, Holy Spirit, Your power to pour through me so that I have strength to meet the days ahead.  Guide me in the way of humility knowing that only in You is there sufficient strength to meet with righteousness each situation.  You have come to save, and I need saving.  Lead me in the upward call You have given me knowing that life is in You, Lord.  Help me to live by Your Word and to be willing to share the Gospel through how I live.  Amen.

“Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate.  Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “It is as you say” (Mark 15:1-2).

Jesus is the King of kings.  Humbly submitting Himself to earthly authorities, He speaks truth.  If only the unbelieving would see, but they will not.  Think about the reality that the King of the universe stands before you.  What else matters more than this reality?  In this world, we are distracted and our priorities are all jumbled.  Jesus comes to lead us into all righteousness.

Lord, I cannot begin to imagine the reality of You willingly submitting Yourself to the authorities of this world, but You did.  You, through whom all things have their being, allowed Yourself to be treated like the criminal that we sinners are.  You took our place.  What love is this that You would do such a thing for one like me?  Help me to see and lament over sin and begin to understand the reality of what You have done.

Lord Jesus, I confess that I am too often cavalier about the reality of what You have done.  Guide me out of indifference so that I live each day in You, and humbly come into Your presence and dwell with You every moment.  When I am confronted by difficulties in this world, help me to see them in the perspective that You are right here and with me always.  Lead me to humbly be in Your eternal presence.  Amen.

“Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he began to weep” (Mark 14:72).

Our Lord brings to remembrance the times when we betray Him.  We are given the opportunity to repent.  We are given grace upon grace to not continue sinning, but to come to the Lord in repentance and live as He directs.  Peter would do this.  The repentant Peter was not the same man Jesus met in the beginning.  He would be transformed by humility to walk in the way of the Lord.  So will we if we repent.

Lord, I too have my share of sinful moments in which I deny You.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, lead me into repentance so that I willingly lay down my excuses and indignation to take up the life You have given me by grace.  Let the shame give way to resolution that I may stand firm in the faith You have given me.  Guide me so that I walk humbly by Your leading, living for the sake of the Gospel.

Lord Jesus, there are so many ways in which I live that, too often, I am not conscious of the things I say and do which hurt the truth of the Gospel.  Lead me to be sensitive so that I willingly repent when You confront me and walk in the way You have established.  You save me daily from myself.  Lead me to see clearly and humbly submit to Your leading.  Guide me in the way I need to go today.  Amen