Can the Cross Make You Brave?

You don’t have to raise your hands, but I wonder if you’ve ever felt useless to Christ and the cause of the kingdom because you believe something is limiting you—perhaps something from your past, something you’ve done, something done to you, or a perceived deficiency. Maybe you view it as limiting your value to God’s plans and purpose. I don’t know if you’ve ever felt this way, but I believe it’s a common perspective when people reflect on who they are, what they’ve done, or the circumstances of their lives—how they were raised or experiences they’ve had. They may ask themselves, or even God, “How could you do anything with me? How could I be of any use to you?”

If that’s you, sitting here this morning with your heart saying, “Amen, I feel that about myself,” wondering how you, with all your deficiencies, could be useful for God’s kingdom, consider this: there’s a saying that God is really good at drawing straight lines with crooked sticks. Have you heard that? God can use a crooked stick to draw a straight line. If you see yourself as that crooked stick, know that God can use you to be a benefit and a blessing to His kingdom. I’m so glad you’re here.

We’re still looking at Christ on the cross. Up to this point in Mark’s account, we’ve seen much failure: Jesus abandoned, lied about, mistreated, falsely accused, wrongfully beaten, and crucified. We’ve seen those who should have been loyal abandon, flee, and hide. We’ve seen bad responses to Jesus and the circumstances, often by people who should have known and done better—His followers, disciples who spent time with Him, saw His mind-blowing miracles, and the religious leaders who should have recognized the Messiah. Even the political leaders, Roman officials tasked with justice, delivered injustice to appease certain factions in Jerusalem.

Finally, in Mark 15:40–47, we reach a part of the story where people saw through the lies, mockery, physical abuse, and crucifixion, understanding Jesus for who He truly was. They did the right thing despite the great risk of being associated with Him during His execution. Turn to Mark, chapter 15, verses 40–47. Jesus is still hanging on the cross, near death, as we begin:

“There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. When He was in Galilee, they followed Him and ministered to Him, and there were also many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem. When evening had come, since it was the day of preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked whether He was already dead. When he learned from the centurion that He was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud and laid Him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. He rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid.”

What I love in this passage, after seeing so many fail Jesus, is that we see individuals step up—not into the spotlight, but into action, doing what is right. They are an unlikely and unassuming group, yet God uses them for His plans and purposes. God can use people who don’t seem like the obvious choice to do wonderful things.

Let’s consider the context. Much of what happens here is unusual, especially for a crucifixion under the charge of treason, which Jesus was essentially crucified for—seen as someone trying to overthrow Rome and Caesar. Typically, crucified bodies were left on the cross to rot, serving as a spectacle and warning against defying Rome. If removed, they were often thrown to the ground for scavengers or, at best, dumped in a mass grave. Exceptions were rare, but a family member or close friend could request the body from a Roman magistrate, which was sometimes granted. However, burial for a crucified person was uncommon.

It’s also unusual for the time to highlight the role of women, who were not valued in society as they are today. Yet Mark brings them to the forefront. It’s equally surprising that a Jewish religious leader, Joseph of Arimathea, would claim Jesus’ body and arrange His burial at great personal expense. These details are peculiar, unexpected, and surprising for the time.

If you were reading this account when it was written, unfamiliar with the crucifixion, you’d be shocked. But one significant aspect of Mark’s account is that it confirms Jesus actually died. Last week, I noted that one chief claim of Islam is that Jesus wasn’t crucified—it was an illusion or someone else. That idea, also circulated by the Gnostics in the early centuries, is countered by Mark’s emphasis that the Roman soldiers and government were responsible for the crucifixion, not Jewish leaders or Jesus’ followers. The Romans had no interest in crucifying an impostor or faking Jesus’ death. Their goal was executing the intended person, and they were skilled at it. They also needed to maintain power in Jerusalem, and crucifixions were a tool for that.

One commentator notes that, over the Roman Empire’s history, hundreds of thousands were crucified, with no recorded survivors. Pilate, the magistrate, had to ensure Jesus’ death—it was his responsibility. When Joseph requested Jesus’ body, Pilate’s primary concern was confirming Jesus was dead, using the term “corpse” to emphasize this. The soldiers had no incentive to lie to Pilate about Jesus’ death, as that would have severe consequences.

The Jewish leaders also wanted Jesus dead and buried before sundown to comply with Jewish law for the Sabbath. Other Gospels note that, at their request, Pilate ordered the legs of the crucified men broken to hasten death. However, when soldiers checked, Jesus was already dead, and they pierced His side with a spear to confirm it. Pilate’s surprise at Jesus’ quick death—typically, crucifixion took days—further underscores the verification process. Mark makes it clear: Jesus was dead, confirmed by Roman authorities, not His followers.

This is critical because none of those verifying Jesus’ death had any motive to lie. The Romans and Jewish leaders wanted Him dead, not alive. Additionally, Mark notes Jesus was buried in a specific tomb, sealed with a large stone—described as five or six feet tall and a foot thick, weighing around 2,000 pounds. The Gospels clarify this was a new tomb, unused, ensuring no confusion with another body. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, saw where Jesus was laid, countering claims that the women went to the wrong tomb on resurrection morning.

This confidence in Jesus’ death is vital because our salvation depends on it. Romans states, “The wages of sin is death,” a truth clear from the Garden of Eden. For Jesus to be our substitute, He had to die. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Matthew 26:28 adds, “This is My blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” In 1 Peter 2:24, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” The “blood” signifies His life given for us, as seen in the Old Testament sacrificial system (Leviticus 17:11), where the animal’s life atoned for sin.

Jesus’ death and burial are also critical because there’s no resurrection without them. Mark’s details confirm the historicity of these events. As commentator James Brooks notes, the early church wouldn’t have invented a story where a Jewish leader, at most a secret disciple, buried Jesus instead of His family or close disciples, nor would they have made women the chief witnesses, given their lower societal status. If fabricated, the story would have featured prominent disciples to gain cultural credibility. This authenticity bolsters our confidence in Jesus’ death.

More importantly, this passage shows that God can use you. The unlikely cast at Jesus’ burial—none of the “cool kids” or prominent disciples—demonstrates this. The Twelve had fled, and even John, possibly present earlier (John 19:26–27), isn’t mentioned here. The women, observing from a distance due to the Roman perimeter and mocking crowd, showed bravery by staying when others fled. Mark notes in verse 41 that these women followed and ministered to Jesus in Galilee, supporting His mission in significant ways, though unnoticed until now. Their service wasn’t for recognition but out of love for Jesus.

Joseph of Arimathea, a Sanhedrin member and secret disciple, risked his position and safety to bury Jesus. As a council member who opposed Jesus’ crucifixion, his public association with Him was dangerous, both from Rome and his peers. Yet, he took courage, arranging Jesus’ burial at great personal cost.

If you feel unworthy due to your past, something done to you, or perceived deficiencies, consider who was at the cross: people without power or prominence. The Bible is full of unlikely heroes—Moses, ineloquent; Esther, fearful; Gideon, insignificant; Rahab, a prostitute; Paul, the “chief of sinners.” Church history echoes this: Charles Spurgeon with depression, Hudson Taylor with frailty, John Bunyan uneducated, Fanny Crosby blind, Joni Eareckson Tada quadriplegic—all used mightily by God.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul shares God’s words: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” If you feel feeble or faltering, God can use you. He asks for availability and willingness to act when needed, not for perfection or recognition. These women and Joseph weren’t seeking accolades; they served faithfully.

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, we thank You for sending Your Son to be our all-sufficient atoning sacrifice for sins, offered once for all. We thank You that He truly died, was buried, and rose again. We thank You for the testimony of these individuals who assisted with His body, risking much without seeking recognition. Help us to have the same attitude—available and willing to serve for Your glory, regardless of credit. Amen.