The following outline and discussion questions have been prepared to accompany the sermon on September 29, “Rejection and Irony” (Mark 15:1–20). The questions can be used for discussion in small groups or for personal reflection.

Outline

1. Jesus and Pilate (Mark 15:1–5)
2. Jesus and the Jews (Mark 15:6–15)
3. Jesus and the Soldiers (Mark 15:16–20)

Main Point: Jesus is the Divine King who should be received and worshipped by the Jews and Gentiles, but instead he was rejected and condemned by the Jews and Gentiles in fulfillment of God the Father’s plan to save the Jews and the Gentiles.

Discussion Questions

• How does the silence of Jesus (v. 5) actually speak volumes?
• Who is on trial in verses 6–15? How do you know that they are guilty? What is the irony of this section?
• According to Isaiah 53, what is the irony found in the scourging or stripes of Jesus?
• What is the irony inherent in the mocking of the soldiers?
• Why does Mark use irony? That is, what function does it serve or what purpose does it accomplish in the narrative for the reader?

Application Questions

• Where does your heart feel out of alignment with this passage and the glories to which it testifies? What steps do you need to take to align your mind, heart, and will with this passage?
• Which situations in your life right now are addressed by this passage, either directly or indirectly?
• What truth from this passage do you need to share with someone this week? Who is the person, what is the truth, and when/how will you share it? Pray for this step of obedience.

Prayer Focus
Pray for a grace to feel how inappropriate indifference is in response to these ultimate truths. Pray for a grace to embrace them so that ultimate truth and immediate reality come together.