Below is the digital handout for the sermon. Scroll below that on www.rhbaptist.net to get the full sermon manuscript. Keep track of what you watch and take notes with our app: www.rhbaptist.net/apps.

INTRODUCTION

Scripture is totally true and trustworthy.

NAMED WITNESSES OF JESUS’S LIFE AND MINISTRY

• Jesus: the Christ and Son of God (Mark 14:60-64; 1-16)

• The Father and Spirit (Mark 1:10-12; 9:2-8)

• John the Baptist: Jewish Old Covenant prophet whose life was dedicated to preparing the way for the Messiah (Mark 1:1-14; 6:16-29)

• The Twelve Disciples: Jewish Galileans who were called by Christ and listed by name (Mark 3:14-19)

• Jairus: a synagogue ruler whose daughter Jesus resurrected from death (Mark 5:22-43)

• Herod Antipas: tetrarch of Galilee and Perea under Rome 4 BC to AD 39 who spoke of Jesus’s “mighty works” (Mark 6:14-16)

• Bartimaeus: a blind man who was healed and followed Jesus (Mark 10:46-52)

• The High Priest: unnamed Caiaphas who served AD 18 to 36/37 (Mark 14:60-64)

• Simon a Cyrenian the father of Alexander and Rufus: bore Jesus’s cross (Mark 15:21)

NAMED WITNESSES OF JESUS’S DEATH AND BURIAL

While Jesus’s death and burial are inseparable from His resurrection, they deserve particular attention as witnesses to and elements of Jesus’s resurrection and reign.

Multiple Senses and People:

• Centurion “saw" v39

• Many Women “looking afar off" v40

• Joseph “craved [asked for] the body” v43

• Pilate “when he knew it… he gave the body” v45

• Joseph “took him down… wrapped… laid… rolled a stone” v46

• Mary Magdalene and Mary of Joses “beheld where he was laid” v47

Verifiable People:

• Pilate: Roman prefect of Judea AD 26/27 to 36/37 (Mark 15:1-44)

• The Roman Centurion: left unnamed possibly for his own safety near or during Nero’s reign (Mark 15:39,44-45)

• Many other women which came with Jesus to Jerusalem: probably singing at His “triumphant entrance” into Jerusalem and the temple (Mark 15:41)

• Mary Magdalene: a Galilean follower and supporter of Jesus from “Magdala” who was freed from demons (Mark 15:40-41,47)

• Mary mother of James “The Less” and Joses: a Galilean follower and supporter of Jesus (potentially mother of Jesus or an apostle) (Mark 15:40-41,47)

• Salome: a Galilean follower and supporter of Jesus (possibly mother of apostles James and John; possibly Mary’s sister) (Mark 15:40-41)

• Joseph of Arimathaea: an honorable member of the Sanhedrin and secret follower of Jesus (Mark 15:42-46)

THE RECORD IN MARK 15:37-47

See how this corresponds with the first NT Scripture letter of 1 Corinthians, 1:23-29.

Strengthened Witness:

• Members of the Roman government and the Sanhedrin serving as witnesses added credibility to the oral tradition especially in their lifetime.

• Women serving as primary witnesses through the process adds credibility to authorial intent of Mark particularly today.

• These women give the church a testimony of steadfastness and humble, selfless service to Jesus, like was taught in Mark 8-10.

• After Jesus’s death, Joseph of Arimathaea serves as a testimony to the church of courage, generosity, and dedication to Christ in the face of great potential loss.

SERMON IN A SENTENCE

Take courage—the highly attested death and burial of Jesus is the basis for the reconciliation and ministry of all Christ’s church.

LIVE IT OUT

1) Be reconciled to God and His people through the substitutionary death of Jesus (Ephesians 2:13-22).

Q: Have you been reconciled to God through Christ’s substitutionary death? Are your sins forgiven? Do you have peace with God and His people?

2) Be baptised to identify with Christ's death to sin and resurrection to life for His people (Romans 6:1-13).

Q: Are you willing to take the risk of openly identifying with the shame and glory of Jesus both in and outside the church?

3) Selflessly serve Christ's growing, assembling "body," the church (Ephesians 5:29-30; Col 1:24).

Q: Are you bold and generous in your service to Christ’s redeemed “body,” the church?

4) Be always ready to give an answer to the hope of Christ's Gospel (1 Peter 3:13-18; Mark 4:30-32).

Q: Have you committed yourself to studying and knowing what God has miraculously given and preserved for us—Scripture? Do you see respectful “Christian apologetics” as an instructed way for all believers to honor the Lord in our hearts?

THE BURIAL IS NOT THE END