Mark 14:27 -28 Jesus told them, "You're all going to feel that your world is falling apart and that it's my fault. There's a Scripture that says, I will strike the shepherd; The sheep will go helter-skelter. "But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you, leading the way to Galilee."
Mark 14: 71 - 72 Now Peter got really nervous and swore, "I never laid eyes on this man you're talking about." Just then the rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered how Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows twice, you'll deny me three times." He collapsed in tears.
"God wants to get Heaven into me and everyone who is afraid like Peter. Then the Kingdom will spread." 66 LL.
"The real battle is within. My worst enemy is my self-centeredness. These followers of Christ were riddled with ambition, comfort, self-centeredness. The author of the Book of Mark chose to sail back to a comfortable and more pleasant life at home rather than the ministry cut out for him. Acts 13:13 Mark refused to press on when the going got tough. So, Paul rejected Mark from continuing with him in ministry." 66 LL.
"No failure (like Peter or Mark or me) can block God's Plan for you. We may think someone has treated us harshly or given us a bad deal---but God could stop them if He so chose. It's just He probably hasn't in order that we will be changed. 66 LL
"He is Worthy of our losing everything we value. Kingdom living is radical servanthood and self-denying suffering." 66 LL
Do you love Me, Peter? Same question He is asking us this day.
Mark 14: 71 - 72 Now Peter got really nervous and swore, "I never laid eyes on this man you're talking about." Just then the rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered how Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows twice, you'll deny me three times." He collapsed in tears.
"God wants to get Heaven into me and everyone who is afraid like Peter. Then the Kingdom will spread." 66 LL.
"The real battle is within. My worst enemy is my self-centeredness. These followers of Christ were riddled with ambition, comfort, self-centeredness. The author of the Book of Mark chose to sail back to a comfortable and more pleasant life at home rather than the ministry cut out for him. Acts 13:13 Mark refused to press on when the going got tough. So, Paul rejected Mark from continuing with him in ministry." 66 LL.
"No failure (like Peter or Mark or me) can block God's Plan for you. We may think someone has treated us harshly or given us a bad deal---but God could stop them if He so chose. It's just He probably hasn't in order that we will be changed. 66 LL
"He is Worthy of our losing everything we value. Kingdom living is radical servanthood and self-denying suffering." 66 LL
Do you love Me, Peter? Same question He is asking us this day.
Jesus told them, "You're all going to feel that your world is falling apart and that it's my fault. (Mark 14:27)
ReplyDeleteTake this cup away from me. But please, not what I want—what do you want?" (Mark 14:36)
Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don't be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." (Mark 14:38)
While he was eating dinner, a woman came up carrying a bottle of very expensive perfume. Opening the bottle, she poured it on his head.(Mark 14:4)
"Let her alone. Why are you giving her a hard time? She has just done something wonderfully significant for me. You will have the poor with you every day for the rest of your lives. Whenever you feel like it, you can do something for them. Not so with me. She did what she could when she could”—(Mark 14:6-9) I believe if I could be one person in the Bible, this is who I would want to be. Lord, when that Day comes and I stand before You as a forgiven sinner because of Your Blood, may You say of me the same words. “She did what she could when she could.” But even as I write this, You remind me “What you have done for the least of these, you’ve done unto Me.” Order my day like that, Lord. Give me Your eyes to see, Your strength to walk in that path. May I be even half as willing to suffer for You as You were so completely for me.
“Peter remembered how Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows twice, you'll deny me three times." He collapsed in tears.” (Mark 14:72) May I be as broken over my sin and never forget: every sin betrays Him. I am Peter, Lord. I betray You. Remind me that You died because of me but You also died on the cross for me. “They condemned him, one and all. The sentence: death.” (Mark 14:65)
The Hour has come. Let us give thanks and let our heavy souls be glad in it.
Mark 14:6-9 But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why are you giving her a hard time? She has just done something wonderfully significant for me. You will have the poor with you every day for the rest of your lives. Whenever you feel like it, you can do something for them. Not so with me. SHE DID WHAT SHE COULD WHEN SHE COULD—she pre-anointed my body for burial. And you can be sure that wherever in the whole world the Message is preached, what she just did is going to be talked about admiringly."
ReplyDeleteI must totally let go of perfectionism or even any
thing close to it. Seek the heart of God and follow HIS instructions. The woman did what she could when she could. How many opportunities to worship the LORD have I missed because I thought I needed this or that before I could ... Jesus tells me to come to Him JUST as I Am.
This is one song from this reading I must Sing. Sylvia
As I wresteled in prayer and in my thoughts early, early this morning...the thought came to me, "whom do you love the most, Mary Lou"...whom do you truly want to serve, where do you truly want to be to worship me and serve the body of Christ"...and "take your eyes off of man and put them on ME and keep them on ME, whose will do you truly want in a two certain situations, Mine or yours"...I hung my head and cried out for Him to forgive me..I truly only want what You want Lord..forgive me Father"...oh, how awful Peter must have felt, I think I only felt a small portion this morning of that awful shame, I quickly began to praise Him. I too would like to think that I would not have rejected Him like Peter, but here I am. Oh, to feel the warmth of His look that says "I forgive you"..I love you." what a wonderful God we have. We should be as forgiving and as loving..guess I can stive for that with His help. So hard to surrender that old stubborn self will....love all of you...
ReplyDelete"One of the men standing there unsheathed his sword, swung, and came down on the Chief Priest's servant, lopping off the man's ear."
ReplyDeleteAnnette, I'm afraid this one is me. I am Mary sometimes, wiping Christ's feet with my tears and my hair.
But Peter is the one I would have probably been most like in this situation. I would have protected H.I.M. with my very own life!
And the reality then starts to hit home. "My kingdom is not of this world." That's when I would have needed my God-blessed eyes the most.
He could calm stormy seas!
He could make the blind see!
He brought dead people back to life!
He fed multitudes with a few loaves of bread and a few fish!
Peter was so ready to defend Jesus.
His passion was all human, flesh and MANLY.
Let's fight, Jesus!
I mean, look at the Old Testament at the severe destruction of those who came against GOD and God's people! Peter wasn't a very good aim with his sword, but he sure was David facing Goliath for God...in a body.
Peter didn't know that the mission of Christ was about to take a drastic turn called G.R.A.C.E. He needed Grace. The Gentiles needed Grace. The New Covenant was about to embrace those who would love God and love His Son with all our hearts, with all our minds, and with all our strength.
I could still today be just like Peter. I want to force others to follow Jesus. I want to watch the hand of God pound against those who are a threat to me and my faith. Just today I prayed for God to avenge me of my adversary.
I have to die to self so that He can live in me. Am I making any progress in that? I pray I am.
He came Gentle and Lowly, riding on a donkey.
How can I honor You today, Lord? Open my eyes and give me God-blessed vision. But remember this, Jesus Christ, I will always long to have the courage of Peter. Temper me with Mary's insight and obedience.
Thanking the Lord today for small victories!
ReplyDeleteRejoicing,
--michele