Mark 14:26-50
They sang a hymn after their Passover meal. The Hallel was from Psalm 115 and 118, traditionally sung at the close of a Passover meal. Psalm 118 is a Messianic psalm, singing about a coming Savior, by the Savior, on the way to becoming our salvation!
Jesus predicts Peter’s denial. This shows me that Peter didn’t realize what he was capable of. He never thought he would deny Christ, but He was never put in that kind of a fire before. Testing times bring out the dross. Let’s all remember that Jesus knows our frailty and imperfections, and He loves us anyway. Our response to His love is surrender, and if we miss it, we surrender again. Our salvation is a relationship, a relationship where we grow and mature.
If you were in the garden of Gethsemane, you would be standing on the Mount of Olives. If you were in the garden, you would have a clear view of the temple. You would also clearly see the eastern gate.
Hebrews 12:2 it says He endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him. WE are the joy that was set before Him. Jesus counted the cost in that garden. As He looked at the temple, He was thinking of God the Father’s desire to be reconciled with His children. As Jesus stood in that garden, he could see the eastern gate where He was declared the Messiah just a week prior. As Jesus stood on that mountain, He knew one day He would return on that very mountain to defeat the nations of the world a begin His millennial reign. Out of LOVE, Jesus died for us. No one took His life. He GAVE IT UP for us. I’m overwhelmed by that kind of love!
The disciples felt their lives were in danger, and they fled. Jesus was left alone to offer His life as a sacrifice. His sacrifice not forced on Him. Jesus died willingly. We will never have to sacrifice like Jesus did, but I think of the times God asks us to give or serve Him. Let’s remember to obey God because we love Him, willingly giving with trust and joy in confidence in Him.
Deuteronomy 20-22
Moses shares more of God’s criminal and social laws. In Deuteronomy 20, Moses communicates instruction for war. In verse 8, when talking of war, the fearful were sent back home. Why? Because fear and doubt are spreaders.
In chapters 21-22, Moses gives more laws concerning murder, female slaves, inheritance, rebellious sons, and other miscellaneous laws.
In Deuteronomy 21:23, it says, “he who is hanged is accursed of God.” The Apostle Paul quotes this verse in Galatians 3:13 referring to something Christ did for us. The Bible says Jesus became sin for us so that we can become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Let’s be thankful for that, amen?
Moses goes on to describe laws on sexual immorality and some of the twists and distortions that go along with being born with a fleshly nature into a dysfunctional world. Anything inside of God is holy. Anything outside of God is unholy, and before Christ, the whole human population was outside of God. God knows. God knows the distortions, the wrong desires, the trauma for victims, and get this – while you were still a sinner, Christ died for you. If He died for you, then wouldn’t He always be on your side, patiently undoing and untwisting what was affected by sin?
Jesus told the people, “If you even look at a woman to lust after her, you have committed adultery.” Jesus didn’t come to condemn anyone. The Law actually was given to show people their need for salvation and a Savior. Jesus came to say, “I’m your need-meeter. Let Me remove sin. Let me give you the Holy Spirit. Let Me show you the grace of God. Let Me rescue you and begin a process of renewal and transformation.”
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