LIVE EXPECTANTLY LIKE JOSEPH
Mark 15-43 talks about Joseph of Arimathea as one who "lived expectantly on the lookout for the Kingdom." May everyone who reads this word "live expectantly" this day. Watching and waiting in Hope for You, God, to show up.
LIVE HUMBLY LIKE MARY
Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene and Mary. "Be not afraid." Mark 15:9 says: Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene whom he had delivered from seven demons. She boldly went to the disciples. May every one of us not live in fear when our God shows up in our day but humble ourselves.
LIVE CALLED LIKE THE DISCIPLES
Jesus appeared to the 11 disciples and took them to task for their stubborn unbelief in refusing to believe those who had seen Him raised up (Mark 15:14). Instead of Jesus giving up on them in their sin, He called them to advance His Kingdom. There is hope for our sin. "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God's good news to one and all...and the diciples went everywhere...and God was right there with them validating His Word.
Then he said, "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God's good news to one and all. Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned." Mark 15:16
ReplyDeleteWe have received our instructions, they're very clear. Go everywhere and announce the Message to one and all.
Instead of being comforted by the familiarity of the New Testament, every day I feel challenged in a way I have never felt before. Anyone else feel it? It has totally rocked my world.
The religious scholars "arranged a conference" with the intent of turning Him over to Pilate. (Mark 15:1) They wanted Him dead.
ReplyDeleteLittle did they know that another conference had already taken place before the foundation of the world. A plan that also included His death, but for another reason.
"Delivered up by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God..." (Acts 2:23); "...the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8b)
"Then let him climb down from that cross. We'll all become believers then!" (Mark 15:32) Jesus, thank you for not climbing down...for absorbing all the wrath of God for me...for my sins.
"Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?"
They looked and saw "that it had been rolled back." (Mark 16:3-4)
Will I believe today that God REALLY is in all my tomorrows? My constant battle!
So once again I'm reminding myself of this glorious truth: "He's been raised up" and "he is going on ahead of me." (Mark 16:4-6)
Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for coming as a "humble servant, the ultimate Somebody disguised as a mere nobody." 66LL
FG
Jan, we are challenged everyday because we live in a world that is not our home. We are aliens on this earth we now inhabit. The enemy is fighting to bring each person to his way of thinking. We must stand firm and strong on the name of Jesus and the WORD of GOD.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful for Beth Moore Study of Jesus the One and Only. It was during Easter Season while I was studying this Bible Study and several years ago. I was so refreshed and encouraged that the first person Jesus spoke to was not a man but to woman, Mary and Martha. I think he did so because He knew we would tell everyone of the miracle we just experienced. Women have more words to express than men on an average. Yes, most women love to talk. Interestingly enough the men, the apostles did not believe what Mary and Mary were saying as is written:
Mark 16:12-13 Later he appeared, but in a different form, to two of them out walking in the countryside. They went back and told the rest, but they weren't believed either.
Mark 16:14-16 Still later, as the Eleven were eating supper, he appeared and took them to task most severely for their stubborn unbelief, refusing to believe those who had seen him raised up. Then he said, "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God's good news to one and all. Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned.
May I live expectantly everyday knowing one day Christ will return for me his child. Lord, I desire to be faithful knowing it is only You who created me to be who I am with a free will to follow You.
Praise the Holy Name of the LORD and the salvation He provides for me.
This is a Song I must Sing.
Sylvia
"At noon the sky became extremely dark. The darkness lasted three hours. At three o'clock, Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
ReplyDeleteIf you go back and read Psalm 22, you will find these words...
"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
Prophetically, The Word became flesh here and felt something I will never have to feel. He bore my sin. Every thought, every word spoken, every deed and action. He bore my sin.
And God abandoned him, the spotless Lamb of God.
And God abandoned him, the Perfect Son.
And God abandoned him, my Sacrifice without spot or blemish.
I cannot imagine the great anguish of the soul of Christ as the Father turned away from Him. God cannot look upon sin.
Words describing these tender and holy words spoken by Christ...I'm overwhelmed. One day I will see Him face-to-face...and bow at His feet thanking Him for how He saved me from God's Face turning away from me.
Words fail me, Jesus.
I lament over Your pain You bore in my place. I lament. But I thank You, too.
I love You and I thank You.
Jan,
ReplyDeleteI feel it, and I feel so soberminded. Almost too much to hold in my heart.
I catch myself thinking about how costly sin in the garden of Eden became when Jesus arrives to pay the cost.
True Pearl