Mark gives a tender, powerful accounting of Jesus’ suffering in his gospel.  As one begins a survey of the details, he or she may find that there are two major categories of that suffering–emotional and physical pain.  These build our appreciation for the ugliness of sin, the love of God, and the importance of salvation.

What was involved in the emotional pain?

Judas’ kiss (14:45)

• Being spit upon (14:65; 15:19)
• The denial of Peter (14:68,70,71)
• The soldiers’ mockery (15:20)
• The passers by’s blasphemy (15:29)
• The chief priests’ mocking (15:31)
• The reviling of the two criminals crucified on either side of Him (15:32)
• The feeling of God’s having forsaken Him (15:34)
• Crying (15:34,37)

What was involved in the physical pain?

• Being blindfolded and beaten (14:65)
• Being struck by the officers (14:65)
• The immediate trial after a sleepless night (15:1)
• Being bound (15:1)
• Being scourged (15:15)
• The crown of thorns on His head (15:17)
• Being struck on the head with a reed by the soldiers (15:19)
• Being crucified (15:24)

If you go through these two chapters, you will likely find a thing or two I missed documenting.  The list above included 17 different things Jesus suffered up on the cross and the fifteen or so hours leading up to it.  The next time we sing, “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross,” what a poignant, clear imagery we have of why and how we should boast in the cross just as Paul did (Gal. 6:14).  –Neal Pollard