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CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH MEMPHISAuthor: CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH MEMPHIS
At Christ Community Church (C3 Memphis) we are seeking to form followers in the way of Jesus so the fame and deeds of God are repeated in our time. We meet on Sunday mornings at 10:15AM. For more information you can go to c3memphis.org Language: en Genres: Religion & Spirituality, Spirituality Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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He is Good | The Death of Jesus | Mark 15:16-47 | Coleton Segars
Episode 439
Monday, 30 March, 2026
The Death of Jesus Coleton begins by grounding this moment in something deeply human: watching someone die changes you. He shares the memory of watching his grandfather pass away—the sights, the sounds, the emotions—and how it stayed with him. That kind of moment doesn’t fade; it marks you. That’s exactly what happens to the Roman centurion in this passage. He watches Jesus die, and it changes everything. For the first time in the Gospel account, a human being—an unlikely one at that—declares: “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39) Up to this point, only God Himself has called Jesus His Son. Now a hardened Roman soldier sees it—and worships. Coleton’s main idea: we are meant to be marked by the death of Jesus in the same way. And to help us see that, he draws out three realities revealed in Jesus’ death. 1. God is Demonstrating His Love for Us What We See in the Text Coleton points to verses 16–32, where Jesus is: Mocked Beaten Spit on Lied about Crucified Insulted even while dying And who is doing this? Religious leaders (hypocrites) Soldiers (abusers) Criminals (rebels) Bystanders (mockers) His own executioners These are the people Jesus is dying for. “Christ died for the ungodly… While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6–8) “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) Coleton’s Main Point This is not just Jesus being loving—this is God demonstrating His love. God is showing, in the clearest possible way, what He feels about sinners—not after they clean themselves up, but while they are still broken, rebellious, and undeserving. Application You do not have to earn God’s love. His love is not based on your behavior—it cannot be, or the cross makes no sense. He already loves you at your worst. Coleton presses into a common lie: We often believe God doesn’t really love us. He traces this lie through Scripture: Genesis – The serpent convinces Adam and Eve that God is holding out on them. Numbers – Israel believes God is trying to harm them, not bless them. The Rich Young Ruler – He walks away from Jesus, not trusting His love. In every case, distrusting God’s love leads to missing life. Key Insight The cross is meant to be a permanent marker in your life: God loves you this much. So when God leads, commands, or corrects—it is always coming from love, not control or cruelty. 2. God is Being Incredibly Merciful to Us What We See in the Text (vv. 33–37) Darkness covers the land Jesus cries out: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus breathes His last These are not random მოვლენ—they are loaded with meaning. Coleton Connects This to the Bigger Story Exile from God’s Presence In Genesis, sin leads to exile. Here, Jesus experiences that exile: “Why have you forsaken me?” Judgment Through Darkness In Exodus, darkness was a plague of judgment. Now darkness falls again—this time as Jesus bears judgment. The Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:6–9) People sinned → were bitten → dying God said: Look at the symbol of judgment lifted up, and live Jesus connects this to Himself: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake… so the Son of Man must be lifted up…” (John 3:14–18) Coleton’s Main Point Jesus is taking the full judgment and punishment for sin. Not part of it. Not most of it. All of it. Application Most Christians say: “Jesus died for my sins.” But Coleton challenges: we don’t live like we believe that. We still think: “God is punishing me for that mistake.” “This bad thing happened because I sinned.” “I’m not sure God will forgive me this time.” But Coleton makes it clear: God already punished sin—fully—in Jesus. There is nothing left for you to pay. Quotes to Drive This Home “He lives for this… When you come to Christ for mercy… you are going with the flow of His deepest wishes.” — Dane Ortlund “I am a sinner… but my Savior has died for all my sins… His blood is sufficient.” — (Martin Luther, paraphrased) Key Insight Jesus is not reluctant to forgive you. He is eager. He went to the cross for this exact purpose. Coming to Him for forgiveness isn’t bothering Him—it’s receiving what He paid for. 3. God is Inviting Us Back Into His Presence What We See in the Text (vv. 37–38) “The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” What This Means That curtain represented separation: In Genesis, humanity is shut out of Eden In the Temple, God’s presence is restricted behind a veil Only the high priest could enter—once a year But now? God tears the curtain Himself. “This was God’s way of saying… the way is now open to approach Me.” — Timothy Keller Coleton’s Main Point Through Jesus’ death, God is inviting us back into His presence. The barrier is gone. The separation is over. The relationship is restored. Why This Matters Coleton explains: what we’re really looking for in life is God Himself. He uses Blaise Pascal’s insight: “All men seek happiness… but the infinite abyss can only be filled by God Himself.” We chase: Success Relationships Comfort Pleasure But none of it satisfies—because we were made for God’s presence. Key Insight The torn curtain is God saying: “Everything you’ve been searching for is found in Me.” Conclusion: What Will You Do With This? Coleton brings it home with three diagnostic questions: Do you struggle to believe God truly loves you? Do you doubt that He could fully forgive you? Are you still trying to find life apart from Him? The cross answers all three: You are deeply loved You are fully forgiven You are invited in Now the question is: Will you receive it? Discipleship Group Questions Why do you think it’s so hard for people (including yourself) to truly believe that God loves them? In what ways do you still act like you have to “pay” for your sin instead of trusting that Jesus already did? Which of the three truths (God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s invitation) do you struggle to live in the most—and why? How does the image of the curtain being torn change the way you think about approaching God? What would it practically look like this week to “live marked” by the death of Jesus? Culture of Gospel Share this with someone in your life who doesn’t know Jesus At the cross, Jesus willingly took the punishment we deserve and offered us the love we’ve been searching for our whole lives—proving that God isn’t against us, but closer than we ever imagined.
