When Life Is Unfair

Mark 15:1-16:20

2-28-10

Sin started with the “fairness” debate

Genesis 3:1-21The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals

the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

Jean Jacques Rousseau

“It is unfair that some people are rich while other people are poor. The rich should not enjoy

special privileges.”

George Constanza’s… Words of Wisdom…

“The most unfair thingabout life is the way itends. I mean, life istough. What do youget at the end of it?A death. What’s that,a bonus?!?

Work is not always fair

Life is Unfair!Elijah felt that it was unfair that he was the only righteous man, and that the queen had demanded his death (I Kings 19:10-21). He became depressed. He felt that he was all alone, and there was no hope left.

Jonah felt that it was unfair that he would have to preach to the pagans of Nineveh

Job felt that it was unfair to be righteous, but have God to take away his family, his wealth, and health.

“Well, as you know, there are many things in life that are not fair,……” Jimmy Carter

Introduction

Does it seem to you that the older you are the less you claim life is unfair?

The problem is that when we take the position that everything is unfair, what we are really saying is that God is unfair. I have often said, "I just can't do everything." What I am really saying is that, "God, you are unfair because you have given me more to do than I have time or energy to do."

When Life Is Unfair Remember How Jesus Was . . Mistreated. 15:15-20

A. The Mistreatment Of Jesus Through . . Shameful Actions. 15:15–1815 Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the courtyard (that is, headquarters) and called the whole company

together. 17 They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of

thorns, and put it on Him. 18 And they began to

salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

B. The Mistreatment Of Jesus Through The Time Of . . Sinful Actions. 15:19-2019 They kept hitting Him on the head with a reed and spitting on Him. Getting down on their knees, they

were paying Him homage. 20 When they had mocked Him, they

stripped Him of the purple robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him

out to crucify Him.

And the soldiers also mocked……

Did you ever complain how you were treated during a witnessing event? Did you think it was unfair? Think of how Jesus was mistreated as He gives this mighty witness of the cross and leading up to it. They flogged Him, dressed Him in clothes to mock Him, saluted Him, placed a crown of thrones on Him and some spit on Him. Their actions were shameful and downright sinful. Jesus certainly did not deserve that kind of treatment. His being crucified may have been a relief in the sense that it would all be over soon.

When Life Is Unfair Remember How They . . Mocked Jesus. 15:29-32

A. The Mocking Of Jesus Through Yelling Insults Concerning His . . Promises. 15:29-3029 Those who passed by were yelling insults at Him, shaking their heads, and saying, "Ha! The One who would demolish the sanctuary and build it in three days, 30 save Yourself by coming down from the cross!"

B. The Mocking Of Jesus Through Yelling Insults Concerning His . . Power. 15:31-3231 In the same way, the chief priests with the scribes were mocking Him to one another and saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself!

32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe."

Even those who were crucified with Him were taunting Him.

When some passed by the cross of Christ they mocked Him as they cited the promises He made. In ignorance they suggested He save Himself from the cross without understanding the cross was necessary for the implementation of salvation. The cross is included in the power of God to bring salvation.

“to those who are perishing the message of the cross is foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is God's power.”

(1 Cor. 1:18 HCSB).

When Life Is Unfair Remember God’s Mighty . . Manifestations. 15:37-39 A. The Manifestation Through The Splitting Of The . . Temple

Curtain. 15:37-3837 But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last.

38 Then the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom.

B. The Manifestation Through The Prompting Of The Centurion’s . .

Testimony. 15:3939 When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him,

saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "This man really was God's Son!"

On the Cross Jesus ask, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mt. 27:46 HCSB).

While Jesus was still on the cross God brought forth the mighty manifestation of splitting the Temple Curtain from top to bottom. It started at the top confirming God did it. The curtain serving as a veil was no longer needed. Jesus went into the Holy of Holies “once for all.” Then the Lord prompted the manifestation of the centurion’s testimony. In the days following, several who mocked Jesus repented of their sin and received salvation.

When Life Is Unfair Remember The Ministry Of God’s . . Messengers. 16:5-7

A. The Messenger’s Ministry Of . . Comfort. 16:5-65 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; they were amazed and alarmed.

6 "Don't be alarmed," he told them. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has

been resurrected! He is not here! See the place where they put Him. B. The Messenger’s Ministry Of . . Confirmation. 16:7

7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there just as He told you.'

Life is not always fair. Things don't always turn out how we think they should. Sometimes the good guys get hurt. What do you do when that happens? How do you handle the injustices of life? Here's what Peter said:

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:13-17, NIV)

It’s a good thing that God isn’t fair

If God had been fair—we’d have no hope• If God were fair—salvation would be based on

our goodness• We didn’t get the punishment we deserved—

that’s mercy• We did get the unmerited favor we didn’t deserve

—that’s graceHe has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. Psalms 103:10

God wants us to be unfair too

(Acts 2)

To go last when it’s your turn to go first• To give away without services or

compensation• To offer mercy when someone is guilty• To offer grace when someone is unworthy

Jesus suffered "unfairness" that we might receive life and healing.  He was born of poor parents.  He was born into a society oppressed by the Romans.  Jesus was probably considered by many as being an illegitimate child. He was not understood by Joseph and Mary.  He was rejected by the people he knew. Joseph probably died when Jesus was just a young man, and Jesus probably had to pick up the responsibility of caring for the family.  He was falsely accused and sentenced to be executed for crimes that he didn't commit.  He was rejected by his heavenly Father because of our sins.  He suffered these things that we might become a new person and be healed (Isaiah 53:4, Luke 4:18-19).

Were they fair to Christ?

Judas has betrayed Him

Caiaphas has condemned Him

Herod has mocked Him

Peter has denied Him

His other disciples has abandoned Him

Pilate has authorized His crucifixion

JESUS was killed and was buried

Fairness?