When Life is Hard

N.T.#436 "When Life is Hard"

Dec. 3, 2024 

Mark 14-Part 14

LET IT GLOW 

Something in the garden came upon Jesus suddenly with great emotional intensity, leaving Him feeling anxious "to the point of death." (verse 34) Was it that the reality that the end of His life was drawing near? Was it leaving behind so much that needed to be done? Was it the hate of the religious ones creeping up the hill? Was it the love for the Jews, His own people, that was burdening the Savior? Was it leaving His friends behind? Was it their scattering when Jesus needed them most? What was it that broke Him?

This is the only instance recorded in Scripture where the Son's will struggled with the will of His Father. Here the humanity of Jesus is on full display. A surprisingly powerful desire to avoid the suffering of the cross overtook Jesus, and He begged the Father to let Him avoid "this cup". (verse 36) He struggled with the temptation to avoid the personal injustice of bearing God's wrath for the world's sin. After all, why should He have to suffer on behalf of sinful humanity? No moral imperative required God to sacrifice His Son. Nothing required Jesus to suffer on the cross... except His unconditional love for people and unreserved obedience to His Father. (Swindoll's Living Insights on Mark)

You will remember when Mary poured out her extravagant love on Jesus from her expensive perfumed alabaster box. Well, Jesus had to get to the point of pouring Himself out of the cup of salvation for all of humanity, Flesh versus spirit. 

This cup was the agony of alienation from God, His Father, at the cross. (Hebrews 5:7-9) It was a life Jesus chose freely. He chose to obey, even though obedience led to suffering and death. Has there been any greater love shown to you and me?

Are we choosing to obey God's Word and Spirit, no matter how difficult obedience seems to be? Life is hard. We make choices. don't make the easy ones that we regret later.

LET IT GROW 

Here is how I picture this scene:

• Jesus left eight of His disciples to guard the gate into the Garden of Gethsemane.
• He took Peter, James, and John further into the garden with Him in His distress.
• In a long agonizing Jesus prayer, for an hour (verse 37), asking God if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting Him might pass Him by. (verse 35, NLT)
• Then Jesus went back to speak with the three men, but three times He found them sleeping. 

Jesus looked for a way out, but He arrived at a place of submission to God's will.

What three profound statements did Jesus say here?

1. Yet, I want Your will to be done, not mine. 
2. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
3. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let's be going. (New Living Translation)

Mary did what she could. Jesus did what was impossible for us-live a perfect life, be our sacrifice for our sins.

Is Jesus asking you to obey Him, follow Him where He leads? Give your all? He gave His all.

LET IT GO 

May we remain a faithful follower of Jesus.

Freely give our all to Him.

Your will,

Your way,

Today, I pray.

Enduring

 N.T.#435 "Enduring"

Dec. 2, 2024 

Mark 14-Part 13

LET IT GLOW 

Jesus and His disciples often went up the hill from Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives. Huge, short olive trees still stand there. (We were told they are around 500 years old.) It is a place away from the busy and loud city below. The Garden of Gethsemane is where the men went for solitude and prayer, peace and quiet. (Luke 22:39)

Gethsemane means oil press.

Probably, the owner installed a press on the grounds. Jesus told the disciples to sit, probably at the entrance, while He went to pray. (verse 32) Jesus' own will was being pressed out so He would do God's will.

Pray refers to pray to God; supplicate; worship. 

Jesus needed some time alone with the Father. Jesus took Peter, James, and John, the inner circle of friends, further into the garden. Jesus needed them to stay close and watch (guard) keeping awake in order to be prepared for whatever might come. (verse 34)

How much time do we spend in prayer? Are we burdened for our loved ones so we pray for a while for them?

LET IT GROW 

Three expressions picture Jesus' inner feelings:

1. He began to be sore amazed (astonish utterly). (verse 33)
2. He was very heavy (to be distressed (of mind).(verse 33)
3. His soul was exceeding (grieved all around) sorrowful (to distress; to be sad; grief) unto death. (verse 34)

The first reveals His initial shock at what was to come; the second, His overwhelming sense of distress; the third describes the extent of His emotions. The agony terrors exceeded His anticipations. We have a clearer picture of Jesus' humanity. He refused to allow inner feelings to direct Him, submitting to the Father's plan. (Falwell and Wuest)

Jesus expressed His true feelings, but He did not deny or rebel against God's will. He did not deny the terrible suffering He would have to endure to accomplish it. Anything worth having costs something. Jesus was willing to pay any price to gain what is priceless-eternal life for His people.

In times of great stress, we are vulnerable to temptation, even if we have a willing spirit. Keep watch, pray to God, seek support of friends and loved ones, focus on the purpose God has given us. (Life Application Study Bible)

LET IT GO

Oh, what You endured, Sweet Jesus, for us!

Your mercy endures forever, Jesus.

Give us strength to carry on during this season, for You are the reason for the season.

May love lift us up today.

Denials and Failures

N.T.#434 "Denials and Failures"

Nov. 29, 2024 

Mark 14-Part 12 

LET IT GLOW 

Take a minute to sit and breathe deeply. Let us be still and know You are God. We are entering the most busy time of the year. Yet isn't it the most wonderful time of the year, as the song goes. Be careful to not let events to cause you to stumble in your relationship with Jesus, the Savior.

Where are you now in your journey of faith? If you are climbing over the ragged rocks of adversity, take His hand and let Jesus lead you through. In the midst of it all, it is His touch which comforts and guides. (Day by Day with Charles Swindoll)

Along unfamiliar paths I will guide them... I will not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16) 

Look at our lesson today as we pick up at this verse:

All ye shall be offended because of Me this night. (verse 27)

Then Peter jumps in, outspoken and bold Peter, and boasts that he was incapable of forsaking Jesus. (verses 29-31)

Even though all may fall away, yet I will not. (verse 29)

Was Peter implying that he loved Jesus more than the other disciples? Peter's inevitable failure and denial of knowing Jesus was coming, that very night, within the hour. If God had intended to reject Peter for his weakness, He would have simply left him on his fishing boat more than 3 years earlier.

God wasn't caught by surprise that the disciples would fail His Son. He made provision for their shortcomings, knowing He would eventually develop them into apostles who would fearlessly preach the Gospel, perform miracles, and teach others. (Swindoll)

God has a plan for all of our lives. Are we joining Him in His kingdom work? Or are we living for our self, providing for our own? Ther is so much more work for us to do in sharing the Good News that Jesus loves us and wants a relationship with us. He wants to use us for His purposes. Are we willing to sacrifice all in order to accomplish it? Remember, He will not forsake us.

LET IT GROW 

Peter was notified of his upcoming failure. That night, before the rooster crowed 3 times, Peter would deny Christ Jesus. And it happened exactly the way the Master had said. Yet, the Risen Lord spoke with Peter on the seashore later. He didn't ask Peter for a confession of his sin, but a confession of his love. (John 21:15-17) Peter went on the preach the Gospel and thousands were saved.

We all fail Jesus, but He continues to forgive us, love us, and us in His kingdom work.

LET IT GO

Help us let go of all the baggage we carry, unforgiveness of others, our sin, judging others, materialism.

Please use us again, Lord, forgiving our trespasses.

We love You Lord Jesus.

Blessing and Thanking

 N.T.#433 "Blessing and Thanking"

Nov. 28, 2024

Mark 14-Part 11

LET IT GLOW

What an example of giving thanks in such a stressful time-beatings, nails in wrists and ankles, death by hanging on the cross, and death on the cross was coming. Jesus was in the upper room with His eleven disciples. They were observing the Passover meal while the Lamb of God was facing a sacrificial death so we can have eternal life with Him. What does Jesus do? He introduced the Lord's Supper in which believers can participate.

And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is My body. (verse 22)

The Greek word for blessed is eulogeo, which means to speak well of (religously); to bless(thank or invoke a benediction upon); praise.

Jesus was grateful for the unleavened bread which they were about to eat. The bread was symbolic of Jesus giving His body for us sinners. What a Savior! Jesus left His home in heaven, came down for the purpose of dying for us. What a sacrifice!

How willing are we to give ourself in order to accomplish God's will? How often do we give thanks for the little things? 

LET IT GROW

And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And He said unto them, This is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many. (verses 23-24)

The Greek word for thanks is euchaisto, which means to be grateful; to express gratitude(towards).

The institution of the Lord's Supper was instituted to be a memorial of Jesus' death; and therefore He broke the bread, to show how it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; and He called the wine, which is the blood of the grape, the blood of the New Testament. The death Christ died was a bloody death, and frequent mention is made of the blood, the precious blood, as the price of our redemption; for the blood is the life, and made atonement for the soul. (Lev. 17:11-14) Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew to John)

Will we apply the doctrine of Christ crucified to us, and let it be meat and drink to our soul, strengthening, nourishing, and refreshing to us, and the support and comfort of our spiritual life?

Hebrews 9:22b says, ...without the shedding of blood is no remission. 

Without the shedding of Christ's blood, there would be no forgiveness. Dear one, have you been forgiven of your sins? Jesus loves you so much that He was willing to die for you.

LET IT GO

Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me. Your love is never ending, never failing.

What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I plea. Please forgive my sins, Lord Jesus.

We give You thanks, bless Your name, and love You, Jesus.

Rough Going

N.T.#432 "Rough Going"

Nov. 27, 2024 

Mark 14-Part 10

LET IT GLOW 

Where are you in your walk with Jesus? Are you staying close to Him or has circumstances cause you to follow Him from afar. You are not alone, friend. The disciples went through it, too. When the going got rough, they got going. Check it out.

Jesus and His disciples went upon the Mount. of Olives, teaching them final lessons, preparing them for the difficult hours to come, and confusing days that would follow. Jesus discussed many things with the eleven. The disciples would temporarily fall away from their loyalty to Jesus due to weakness and fear. However, God would remain faithful.

All shall be offended because of Me this night; for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. (Zech. 13:7)

Offended means trip up; stumble; entice to sin. 

Skipping to verse 50, And they all forsook Him and fled. (verse 50)

Probably it was Mark who fled from them naked. (verses 52)

Peter followed Jesus afar off., even to the palace of the high priest and later denied knowing Jesus three times. (verses 54, 66-72)

John was at the foot of the cross with Mary, Jesus' mother, to whom Christ told to take care of His mother.(John 19:26)

However, John18:9 tells us Jesus told those arresting Him to let these go their way. (John 18:8) 

Christ knew it would have been too severe a test for their faith. (Hendriksen)

After all, He wanted those disciples to share the Good News and develop the church.

At times it may seem that events conspire to cause you to stumble in your relationship with Him. You do not initiate them, but they arise from opposition or the intensity of your circumstances. Failure may be the end result. Remember that the disciples faced such fierce opposition to their Lord that they all failed Him when Jesus was crucified. Afterwards, they met with Jesus in Galilee. They became spreaders of the Gospel later.

The love of Jesus lasts forever, as well as His forgiveness. So let's praise our Lord and thank Him this week for His faithfulness.

LET IT GROW 

But after I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. (verse 28)

Jesus promised to meet the disciples in His post-resurrection form. (Matt. 28:16) 

Nevertheless, there was hope, for He also prophesied of their reunion and restoration after He had risen from the dead. (8:31, 9:31, 10:34)

Have you met Jesus, the Savior? He is waiting, if you have not. 

LET IT GO

Help us let go of our pride to follow You, Jesus.

Mold us into the person You want us to be.

Thank You for going before us into death.

What hope in everlasting life You have provided!

All hail King Jesus!

A New Covenant

N.T.#431 "A New Covenant"

Nov. 26, 2024 

Mark 14-Part 9

LET IT GLOW 

Jesus gave new significance to the elements during the Passover. It became a New Covenant (New Testament) with His people. The death of Jesus on the cross would accomplish what the old covenant had anticipated. It would atone for sins and make it possible for people to be forgiven and have a relationship with God. 

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

The sacrifice of Jesus' body and blood was she for many, in behalf of, which specifies a substitutionary death. We owed a debt we could not pay, so Jesus paid it for us. 

Now the church is to celebrate this Lord's Supper regularly by eating the bread and drinking the cup together. It is done in remembrance of what Jesus Christ did for us. As often as we do this, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. (1 Cor. 11:26)

It is by grace through faith that we are saved, which is a gift of God and not of works so we don't boast. 

Friend, do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, The Savior? It was all God's plan for Jesus to die, yet He arose from the dead and sits at the right hand of our holy God. Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior? How about family members?

LET IT GROW

Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. (verse 25)

Jesus vowed that He would not drink the wine until He shared it with them in His millennial kingdom. Then they sang a hymn (probably a psalm), left the city, and went to the Mount of Olives for the night. (verse 26) (Evans)

It has been a long wait-over 2,000 years. However, we believe Jesus is coming back to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. We will keep on waiting until the Father deems it time for Jesus to come get us.

Are you a believer?

LET IT GO

I know my Redeemer lives and one day will walk upon the earth again.

What love that You would die for me and other sinners! Glory to Jesus and our God!

What a Special Meal!

N.T.#430 "What a Special Meal!"

Nov. 25, 2024 

Mark 14-Part 8

LET IT GLOW 

Most of us will enjoy an abundant meal next week with our family. Jesus shared His last meal with His friends and disciples, a special meal. Read on to find what made it so special.

Judas was given an opportunity to repent and turn from his sinful ways as he and Jesus shared a final meal together. Jesus extended His love and grace, but Judas would not accept Jesus as His Messiah and Savior. Judas chose evil and God used it to accomplish His will. (Judas betrayed Jesus which led to His death on the cross.)

It was a predetermined and prearranged plan, God's purpose, and foreknowledge that the Messiah should suffer death for us. (Luke 24:25, 46) 

That Christ should suffer, and that He should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:23) 

Have you accepted Jesus' dying on the cross in your place for your sins?

LET IT GROW 

After Judas left, Jesus was alone with the faithful eleven disciples. It was then that He transformed the Passover of the Old Covenant into the Lord's Supper of the New Covenant, creating a new memorial feast to remember God's deliverance from sin.

Jesus gave a new meaning to eating the bread. The unleavened bread symbolized the severing of the Israelites from the old life in Egypt. It represented a separation from worldliness, sin, and false religion and the beginning of a new life of holiness and godliness. From then on, in the Lord's Supper, the bread would symbolize Christ's body, which He sacrificed for the salvation of humankind. (verse 22)

The wine represented the shedding of blood in a sacrificial way was always God's requirement in establishing any covenant. Christ's blood needed to be shed for the remission of sins (verses 23-24). (Heb. 9:22; 1 Peter 1:19) It was shed for many, all who believe, both Jew and Gentile. 

[Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

This was Jesus' last meal with His faithful disciples/apostles. He made it a New Covenant, a symbolic memorial. When we observe the Lord's Supper in our church, it is done with reverence, remembering that Christ Jesus gave His body on the cross as a Sacrificial Lamb and freely shed His blood for us sinners. 

Little did the disciples see the Messiah's blood flow freely from the cross. But that is not where hope ends. Our next study will give us hope for a future in paradise.

LET IT GO 

Your blood has washed away my sin, Jesus thank You.

The Father's wrath completely satisfied, Jesus thank You.

Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table, Jesus thank You.