Summer Road Trip Day 35

Day 35

Torn In Two

“And the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” Mark 15:38

The curtain in the Jewish Temple was no ordinary curtain. Historians tell us that it was at least 60 feet high and four inches thick. One historian said that if horses were tied to each side of the curtain they would not be strong enough to pull it apart.

The curtain was the dividing “wall” between the Holy Place – where the priests would offer incense and light the candlesticks before God and the Holiest of Places was where Arc of God was kept. Once a year the High Priest was allowed into the Holiest of Places – which represented the closest place to God man could approach. The purpose of the curtain was to keep “sinful man” out of the presence of God’s holiness.

The moment Jesus died on the cross and offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins – Mark tells us that the curtain was literally torn in two pieces – opening a passage into God’s holy presence. Get it? The sacrifice of Christ on the cross is the means of our forgivenss and God’s Holiness. No longer do we need to go through another man (priest) to come before God – what happened on the cross opens the way to direct access to God!

Historians also tell us that later the Priests when in and sewed up the torn curtain and just kept right on doing what they had always done the way they had always done it. It’s that sad? They didn’t even consider the significance of what they had experienced.

I wonder sometimes if we’re guilt of a similar “sewing up”. God does something amazing in our lives to show us His power and love in our lives – and instead of changing us, we try to get things back to the way they used to be.

Enjoy the Journey.

Summer Road Trip Day 34

Day 34

“Then they led him away to be crucified.” Mark 15:20

I can think of no more tragic of phrases than that, “then they led him away…”

One of his closest had betrayed Him. The rest had deserted Him. The crowds had turned against Him. Roman Soldiers had beaten and mocked Him. Then…

“they led him away to be crucified.”

What should have been the lowest point in the life of Jesus though was one of the highest. While Mark says “they led him away” I see it more has HE LED THE WAY – first through the cross and then to the resurrection.

“Lord Jesus, Thank You. Thank You for being a willing participant in my salvation. Without the cross where would I be. You allowed them to lead You to the cross, but we know the truth – You had been leading the way since your birth in Bethlehem! AMEN.”

Summer Road Trip 33

Day 33

Judas Kiss

“Meanwhile, all his disciples deserted him and ran away.” Mark 15:50

We tend to focus on the lips and not the feet. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss of greeting while the disciples deserted Him with feet a-fleeing. I now the betrayal was far worse than the desertion and all but the betrayer eventually came back – but the point is they all left. We focus on the betrayal and tend to excuse the desertion.

I wonder how often we desert the cause of Jesus Christ? Yes, we come back, but there are times when we tend to run away.

I’m thankful that Jesus forgave their temporary fears and didn’t hold it against them. That proves to me that He will be patient with me during my temporary desertions – but that doesn’t excuse them.

To Do Today: Watch for times today when it would be easy to run away instead of identifying with Jesus and His purposes. Then, stand with Him.

Enjoy the Journey.

Summer Road Trip Day 32

Day 32

Sleeping During the Prayer Service

“Then he returned and found the disciples asleep.” Mark 14:37

Wednesday nights were prayer meeting when I was a kid. It wasn’t just called prayer meeting, it really was. After my Dad (the Pastor) was done with his Wednesday night lesson everyone would get down on their knees and take turns praying around the world, for everyone inside and outside the church they could think about, and for every sin, suffering, and salvation they could remember. To a kid under the age of ten it seemed like those prayer meetings would go on for hours, a few times I really think they did.

I’m not complaining. During those times of community prayer I learned how to pray (and a few ways not to!). I learned a lot about the heart of those who attended our little church on Planz Road in Bakersfield. But I must confess, I also fell asleep a few times, so I sympathize with the disciples. As I grew older I learned something about staying awake during prayer meetings – if I prayed with those who were praying, followed what they were praying, asking God the same things they were asking while they were asking Him – if I did that I didn’t fall asleep.

The disciple’s problem was that they didn’t seem to be praying. There was their leader, freer and healer pouring His heart out to His Heavenly Father and the guys were just hanging out waiting.

To Do Today: Spend time in active prayer and not just hanging around praying casually.

Enjoy the Journey!

Summer Road Trip Day 31

Day 31

“‘I’m not the one…am I?”

“one by one they began to ask him, “I’m not the one, am I?” Mark 14:19

I know I doubt som times, do you? I’m not talking about doubting God, I’m talking about doubting ME. I wonder sometimes what it would take for me to betray Jesus.

I think I’m strong enough, but recently I found myself shrinking from doing what I knew straight-up was the right thing to do. I should have said one thing; I said another. I betrayed the truth simply because – are you ready for this – I was embarrassed. I was afraid of what the person might say or do if I was honest with him.

I’ve thought about that situation many times since it happened and I pretty much know that I will never, ever meet that person again. I will never have to opportunity to make it right. I’m still embarrassed, but for a different reason now.

If I would shrink from being totally honest because of a silly little embarrassing situation – what would happen if it were a big deal, like betraying Jesus? Like I said sometimes I doubt myself. Do you doubt yourself?

The Good News is that God’s grace is a lot bigger than my embarrassment or self-doubt. I don’t have to doubt Jesus and I can rely on His strength to say and do what is right because,…

I don’t want to be “the one”.

Enjoy the Journey.

Summer Road Trip Day 30

Day 30

Since You Don’t Know…

“And since you don’t know when they will happen, stay alert and keep watch.” Mark 14:33

We just don’t know. Since I was a kid I have listened to and read great Bible “experts” attempt to predict what will happen and when it will happen – Jesus’ coming back to take us to heaven. Here’s what I’ve discovered after listening to all those teachers and reading a lot of their stuff… no one knows.

God does not want us to know. Yes, there are those who give the lame reasoning “We don’t know the day or hour, but we certainly can know the ’season’ when Jesus will come.” Here’s the truth – no one knows.

What we do know is that Jesus said He would be coming back and that we needed to be working and be waiting expectantly for His return. That means we need to be doing the things He’s asked us to do and living as if He could come back at any moment – He could. He will.

All we have to do is stay alert and keep watching for His return. That should be enough to motivate us to get busy and stay busy for His Kingdom. Our problem is we get used to waiting and sort of forget what we’re waiting for.

To Do Today: Watch.

Summer Road Trip Day 29

Day 29

Good News Preaching

“And the Good News must first be preached to every nation.” Mark 13:10

Every nation. That is an amazing statement. We live in a time when every nation has heard the Good News, but it doesn’t say “WHEN it’s preached” it says “must first be preached”. While Jesus is telling His closest followers about the future, He takes the time to explain their part (and our part) in the future. You and I have been given the responsibility to preach (share, proclaim) the Good News to every nation.

There is a reason we call it “missions” and we call them “missionaries” – it because our mission is to share the Good News.

Just remember that where we live, work and play is part of one of “every nation”. We get the opportunity to share the Good News through our lives, our giving, and our prayer.

P.S. Have you prayed lately asking God to work powerfully through our missionary, Alisa Prox? Have you prayed lately asking God to work powerfully through our other missionary…YOU?

Enjoy the Journey!

Alisa Prox’s website: http://alisaprox.theworldrace.org/

Summer Road Trip Day 27

Day 27

“Most Important”

“…which is the most important.?”

Someone once taught me that…

“Good is the enemy of the Better,
While Better is enemy of the BEST.”

When it comes to focusing on the BEST we have to determine what’s most important. Jesus sums it up very simply – LOVE GOD. LOVE OTHERS.
That explains the entire LAW of God.

The BEST we can do today is to live like we really love God and then love those He created.

To Do Today: Love God. Love Others.

Enjoy the Journey!