The Uncultured Saints

• Jesus Dies on the Cross

  Mark 15:33-41: Jesus Dies on the Cross> Jesus' Cry from the CrossWhen Jesus cries out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" This isn't merely a cry of anguish but a public proclamation. The Greek word suggests Jesus "shouted" or "proclaimed" these words from Psalm 22. This fulfills OT prophecy while serving a dual purpose: Jesus experiences genuine forsakenness as He bears our sin, yet proclaims this truth for our benefit.The crowd thinks He's calling for Elijah, missing that Jesus is quoting Scripture and declaring His identity as the suffering Messiah. They offer sour wine, not mercy, but mockery> Jesus' Authority Over DeathWhen it says that Jesus "breathed His last," it demonstrates His divine authority. Jesus dies when He chooses to lay down His life. As He said, "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord" (John 10:18). >The Temple Curtain TornThe temple curtain tore from top to bottom.This massive veil separated the Holy of Holies from the people. Only the high priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement. Now, through Christ's sacrifice, the separation between God and humanity is removed. Every believer can approach God's presence.This echoes Mark's opening where the heavens were "torn open" at Jesus' baptism. > The Centurion's ConfessionThe Roman centurion declares, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" Having witnessed Jesus' authority over His own death and the supernatural signs, this pagan soldier becomes the first human in Mark's Gospel to confess Jesus' true identity. > Faithful WitnessesThe women who followed Jesus remain at the cross while the male disciples flee. Their presence as witnesses establishes the credibility of the Gospel accounts and honors their faithfulness to Him. Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

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• Jesus Is Crucified

  Mark 15:16-32: The CrucifixionThe soldiers led Jesus to the palace, clothed him in purple, crowned him with thorns, and mocked him saying "Hail, King of the Jews!" They struck him, spat on him, and knelt in false homage before leading him out to crucify him. IronyThe soldiers unknowingly proclaimed truth through their mockery. Christ truly is King of Kings, and the crown of thorns represents what God's earthly kingdom actually looks like — suffering for sinners. The entire scene drips with irony as everyone involved unwittingly confesses the gospel narrative.Active vs. PassiveJesus wasn't passively swept along by events. He remained in complete control, actively choosing to endure this suffering. He could have called legions of angels but chose to be "a lamb led to the slaughter." It was deliberate submission for our sake. The CrucifixionSimon of Cyrene was compelled to carry Jesus's cross. The soldiers divided his garments by casting lots, fulfilling prophecy. Jesus was crucified between two robbers while mockers demanded he save himselfSimon of CyreneThis random man, pulled from his journey, unexpectedly bore Christ's cross. Church history suggests he became a believer — the fact that he's named indicates the early church knew him. The ThievesBoth likely mocked Jesus initially (in Mark's account), but one eventually recognized Jesus's innocence and asked to be remembered in his kingdom (in Luke's account).  The Central TruthEvery detail — from the crown of thorns to the divided garments — points to one reality: Christ is dying for sinners. This is God's work of salvation.The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all participated in this redemptive act.All Good Friday preaching must return to this core truth: Jesus died for you.Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

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• Jesus Before Pilate & the Crowd

  Mark 15:1-15 Uncultured Saints Bible StudyJesus Before PilotPilate likely doesn't care about Jesus or Jewish religious disputes. As a Roman proconsul dealing with occupied territory during times of insurrection, he's primarily concerned with security and Caesar's interests. The charge against Jesus that he is claiming to be "King of the Jews" matters to him because it suggests political rebellion.When Pilate asks if Jesus is the King of the Jews, Jesus responds, "You have said so." This non-answer, combined with Jesus's refusal to defend himself against accusations, gradually disarms and confuses Pilate. Pilate seems to recognize Jesus's innocence, but he likely feels politically trapped.The CrowdWho is the crowd?  This might be the same Palm Sunday crowd, manipulated by chief priests and scribes. These religious leaders likely gathered people early in the morning, exploiting their disappointment that Jesus failed to be the revolutionary they expected. When Jesus doesn't overthrow Roman rule, the crowd turns against him. BarabbasBarabbas represents layered biblical irony. His name literally means "son of the father," creating a striking parallel when the crowd chooses a false "son of the father" while rejecting the true Son of the Father. Barabbas was an actual insurrectionist and murderer, the very thing they falsely accused Jesus of being.Why is Jesus silent?Jesus's silence fulfills Isaiah 53, where the suffering servant doesn't open his mouth. The discussion emphasizes that Jesus simultaneously stands innocent before Pilate yet guilty before God not because he sinned, but because he took on humanity's sin. In this section of Mark 15, the conversation highlights how God uses human schemes to accomplish divine purposes. Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO. #higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

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• Jesus Before the High Priest, Peter’s Denial

  📖 Mark 14:53-72Jesus Before the High PriestJesus is led to the high priest, where the entire council seeks testimony against Him. There is irony throughout the passion narrative — even when trying to lie about Jesus, the accusers can't get their stories straight. They struggle to find consistent witnesses, highlighting the mob mentality and one-upmanship among the accusers.The temple destruction claim becomes their focus since it was publicly witnessed. When asked if He's "the Christ, the son of the blessed," Jesus responds with "I am" — potentially the divine name (Yahweh in Greek). He adds that they'll see "the son of man seated at the right hand of power," a clearly divine Old Testament reference.The high priest's dramatic response — tearing his garments and crying "blasphemy" — proves that Jesus' contemporaries understood His divine claims. This refutes arguments that Jesus never claimed to be God. Peter's DenialPeter's threefold denial reveals how quickly human courage crumbles. The same disciple who promised loyalty and drew his sword now denies even knowing Jesus. Peter represents all believers. We're sinners in need of redemption, not heroes earning salvation.Mark (possibly influenced by Peter) intentionally includes this failure to show that apostles weren't sinless leaders but redeemed sinners. This prevents us from viewing ourselves as superior to Peter.Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial demonstrates divine omniscience without fatalistic predestination. The appropriate response isn't "I would never do that" but "thanks be to God" that Christ saves sinners. We need the gospel preached continually, not just information from a book, because we forget our identity and need as redeemed sinners daily.Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO. #higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

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• Jesus Prays, Judas Betrays & a Naked Man Runs

  📖Mark 14:32-52➡️ Jesus Prays in GethsemaneIn the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays with deep sorrow. “Abba, Father,” He pleads, “remove this cup from me.” It’s a window into His full humanity. Jesus knows what’s coming: not just the nails and thorns, but the full wrath of God. He’ll be abandoned, crushed under judgment meant for us. It shows that we too are allowed to bring our fears to God. And yet, Jesus finishes with, “Not what I will, but what You will.” Meanwhile, His disciples can’t stay awake. This isn’t just sleepiness—it may be despair. Their bodies shut down under the weight of grief and fear. Jesus tells them, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ➡️ Jesus is Betrayed and ArrestedThen comes Judas. The Uncultured Saints wrestle with what’s really going on with Judas. Was it greed? Despair? Misguided hope? Did he think Jesus would escape again and this was just a push? He calls Jesus “Rabbi,” not “Lord” — a hint he still didn’t truly see who Jesus was. The kiss, a sign of peace, becomes a signal of betrayal. Whether his intentions were confused or malicious, the outcome was the same.Judas’ betrayal triggers the arrest, yet Jesus remains in control, willingly surrendering to fulfill His mission.➡️ A Naked Man FleesMark describes a young man following Jesus, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. When the crowd grabs him, he escapes by slipping out of the cloth and runs away naked.Many believe this was Mark himself, quietly placing his own story in the margins. A confession of fear, maybe shame — but also a witness. He was there. He saw it. And even though he ran, he still wrote it down.Because that’s the point: Jesus didn’t run. He faced the cross — for them, for Judas, for Mark, for us.Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

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