How Are We Portraying Jesus?

N.T.#445 “How Are We Portraying Jesus?”

Dec.17,2024 

Mark 15 

LET IT GLOW 

Poor Peter, don’t we tend to give him a hard time, come down hard on him for denying Christ three times? Yet how many times do we let the opportunity slip by when we could have stood up for Jesus? Guilty. 

Another thing, a bystander recognized that Peter was a Galilean by his speech. It was a give away. They could tell by his accent when Peter spoke. It’s like around here we can tell a northeasterner when they talk. Or when we go to our daughter’s in Rhode Island, they can tell we are from the south by our speech. 

The thing that stood out for Peter was his having been with Jesus, associated with Him, and his speech. How about us? Do others recognize that we have spent time with Jesus? How are the words we speak and the things we do? Especially when we wait in long lines to pay for Christmas gifts, are we patient and appreciative?

Peter received the Lord’s forgiveness and so can we. Just ask.

LET IT GROW 

Then the religious Jewish leaders had their meeting. The big wigs were there-Sanhedrin, chief priests, elders, scribes. What do we not read of them doing? They didn’t pray. Wasn’t that their job-to pray for Jews and Israel, along with doing the sacrifices, and teaching the Word? Those leaders would have discussed the charges and how to present them in order to get a death sentence for Jesus. Yet it was in the plan of God for His Righteous Son to die for us sinners. Such love.

So they bound Jesus, and delivered Him to Pilate. (verse 1b)

There is and has been so much hate, jealousy, evil, violence, and greed in people in this world. Yet, one day God will make it right with justice being carried our. Friends, I want to mercy of God. How about you?

LET IT GO

What do you need to let go of today so you can show the love of Jesus?

Are you speaking with kindness and love?

We are the only Jesus some will ever see. How are we portraying Him?

Whew! I fall short. But Jesus forgives and helps us in our weaknesses.