Category: Uncategorized

Mark 14:29
   How many times have you said something you lived to regret? I can’t imagine how often Peter wished he could erase this from his memory. But, there is forgiveness in Christ. Peter was still used greatly by God. He didn’t get hung up on past failure. But, he did learn some wisdom from it.
   Always realize that the Lord is aware of the temptation to boast. He already knows what we are going to think before we think it. We don’t have to feel constantly guilty that it is a temptation. It will always be a temptation as long as we are in this flesh. And, if you give in to it, find forgiveness in him. The enemy will guilt you if he can. Let the Holy Spirit handle guilt, not the enemy.

Heavenly Father, thank you for knowing us so well! It helps so much to know that you understand us. You are compassionate, just, and patient. I love you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Sick today, no post.

Mark 14:28
   How could Jesus have said any clearer that he was going to rise from the dead? And yet, his disciples failed to understand or even believe at first. We all tend to misunderstand or fail to comprehend when things don’t fit in our idea of how the future will play out. We have the ‘always has’ syndrome. Since certain things always have happened a certain way, we expect certain things to transpire, even though we cannot possibly know the future.

Heavenly Father, thank you for guiding us even though we often think we already know the way. If we will submit to you, you will direct our hearts, even though our hearts don’t want to be directed.  You are so wise! Only you can handle our problems. Only you know the future. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:27
   This was a fulfillment of prophecy concerning Christ. The Lord had already said this would happen. Why would his followers be offended in him? What would offend them? The disciples, though dedicated to Christ, did not understand his plans. They thought they knew, as we have seen, what he would do next. But, they did not. The fact of the two comings of the Messiah had not yet been revealed specifically. So, seeing him arrested didn’t fit in their ideas of what he would do.

Heavenly Father, thank you for working your plan out to perfection. We know you don’t have to ask our advice before you act. Help us to accept humbly your plan for us. We know that you love us and that your ways are best. Give us the grace to not be offended, but to instead be blessed. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:26
   There are lots of things in Scripture that are not rules. But, sometimes they are really neat things to do anyway. For example, this verse says that Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn as they left. I like to end the Communion service with a hymn for this very reason. Though it is not a requirement, it is a really good idea.

Heavenly Father, thank you for all of the nice things that you have taught us. You really care for us and love us. It is amazing to think about! Your compassion and tenderness is truly wonderful. Thank you, you are worthy of all the praise. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:25
   Do not attempt to use this verse to prove that Jesus drank wine. Though he likely did drink what would have been referred to as wine in that time, the only thing confirmed here is that it was a beverage derived from grapes. I’m not trying to deny that Jesus did indeed drink wine. But, some people tend to bend over backwards to substantiate the fact. The alcoholic content of the ‘wine’ is debatable, though pasteurized grape juice had not been invented yet. There are other passages of Scripture much better suited to solving the problem of Christians drinking wine.
   Also, and more importantly, we have him referring to drinking it in the future. This is really special because Jesus is promising to fast from this fruit until that future day. He loves us very much, and enjoying this meal with us is very important to him. And, it should be to us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for making these things clear to us. It is so wonderful that you are a person and that we can know you. Some impersonal force would not be knowable, or worthy of worship. I love you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:24
  Jesus is referring to the New Covenant, which is explained in Jeremiah 31:30-34. The connection here is substantiated by Hebrews 8:6-13. It is by the blood of Christ that the Jews and the Gentiles may receive forgiveness.

Heavenly Father, you are worthy of the praise. How can we thank you sufficiently for your forgiveness? Without it we would have nothing, and we would be doomed. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:23
   The cup was shared. We cannot really get around that. It seems quite obvious from the wording here. However, so was the bread. Just as the bread was divided in order to be shared, the cup likely was as well. As long as we understand the symbolism, that we are all drinking from the same source, that is the main thing. It is not absolutely necessary to all drink from the same physical cup.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the precious blood of Christ shed for us. We can never praise you enough for the forgiveness we may have in Him. You are truly gracious, and your love is clear. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:22
   We need to keep in mind that this is being done during the Passover feast. There is a lot of significance in that meal, and it is only fitting since the Communion meal is also very significant. Jesus basically replaces the Passover observation with the Communion. However, we should be careful never to forget the connection here. Often we fail to take Communion as seriously as we should.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the Lord Jesus and the Communion we can partake of in celebration of him. It is so amazing to think of our fellowship with you. Our relationship with one another is so sweet too. We praise you for this! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:21
   This is one of those things in Scripture that we seem to want to gloss over. We try to ‘tone down’ the meaning to ease people’s conscience. But, these blunt words are really that blunt. But why would Jesus say this?
   Well, we have to have a good understanding of the Word of God to get it right here. We have to be careful and rightly divide. Jesus has a bird’s eye view of history. He could see Judas’ beginning, and he knew his end. The fact is that when we consider a final destiny of hell and then the lake of fire after that, we could say this about many people. But why would God make someone only to turn around and condemn them to such a fate?
   Many have wrestled with this question. Many have fallen victim to doubts as a result of it. It would be far easier to ignore it and forget it. But we just can’t, and it is that simple. It will crop up again, over and over. So what is the solution?
   Faith. We trust God’s ways. We know he is good, absolutely good. But, he made Lucifer. He allows evil  to transpire every day. He is not powerless. He can stop it. But he doesn’t, not yet. The best way I can say it is like this, once it all comes out in the wash, nobody will look back and question his methods. All will say he has done all things well. We may not see it or understand it now, but we will then.
   God made Judas, and God knew what Judas would do. And God knew it would be better for Judas to never be born. But it isn’t better for God’s plan, or for the good of his creation as a whole. He alone has the wisdom to know exactly what should be done and how to do it. We know he knows best, and we trust in Him.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your might power and infinite wisdom. I will praise you forever for your plan for us. You know the best and you do what is best. Give us the grace to understand and the faith to trust. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.