Removing the Veil

It must be sentimentalism, but I love the idea of a radiant bride coming down the aisle with that thin veil barely holding in her beauty. And then the tender moment comes when the veil is lifted by her groom, and he fully sees her lovely face. Ah....

So it is with amazement that we can see the same kind of thing happening in the middle of the grievous passage where our Lord is nailed up, mocked unmercifully, and left to die (Mark 15:21-41). But here it is - the moment when the veil is lifted. In fact it is permanently removed, torn from top to bottom, as if God got a hold of it and said, "Enough".

This beautifully ornate veil had been in the worship place for untold years, always dividing the people from the Most Holy Place where God was present. A chosen priest would go in once a year to sprinkle blood and atone for sins. 

But now our High Priest, Jesus, had shed His own blood, and the veil between us and God is rent and removed. We are free to enter His presence. One day we will see His face!

God Wins

It's still going on in Mark 15:1-20. Jesus is making absolutely no attempt to defend Himself. He remains the Isaiah 53 "Lamb who before His shearers is silent".

And now the whole Roman company comes out to dress the bloody scourged Man in a purple robe and spike laced crown in order to mock ("Hail, King of the Jews"). They bow, kneel, spit and beat. You can almost see the devil dancing around this sickening scene.  The Good News?

Satan, as is his way, can't stop with this evil charade but goes too far: " Then they led him out to crucify him."  And in so doing, he fits right into God's magnificent unimaginable plan. 

Next week we will read the details - the end of this story. But God wins! And that victory is for you and me. 

Thank you, Lord.

Power of the Name

The witnesses are tripping over each other with condemning contradictions (Mark 14:53-72). Finally the Chief Priest has enough and stands up to do the questioning. But Jesus remains the Lamb prophesied in Isaiah 53 - silent before His accusers. Until the Chief asks, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" Then Jesus says two words that seal His death.

Those two words are the first name of God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. It is the Name that is the essence of holiness to the Jews. When Jesus says "I Am" and then adds the description of His coming on the clouds, the Chief erupts. While tearing his clothes and yelling "Blasphemy" , he calls for the death sentence. The spitting, slapping, mocking, and beating commence.

The Name of Jesus is an atom bomb of power that can move mountains to put in motion God's will. That's one reason we are warned in Exodus 20:7 not to casually use God's name in vain. As we get to know the Christ behind the Name, we value it more and more. 

Rejoice in getting to know Him today.

The Son's Prayer

It's all laid out in the raw.  Gethsemane is where Jesus is at the crossroads, and we hear the Son's prayer (Mark 14:32-52).  "Abba, Father," He said, "everything is possible for You. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will."

Oh, it almost hurts your ears to hear this intimacy. It's the only recorded time Jesus says"Abba, Father'. And His Pappa or Daddy has to say "No" in unthinkable love to His precious deeply grieved Son.

The unthinkable love - the "No" to Jesus - is so you and I can hear "Yes". ("For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God."  II Corinthians 1:20).

Lord, may we rejoice today in Your "Yes" and be forever grateful for the price that was paid. We love You.

The Gift

It is the last meal together for these twelve and Jesus - these friends who had laughed and lived and learned together on an adventure that would rock the world. And Jesus had a present for them. (Mark14:10-31)

" While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take it; this is my body'."  So we hear the thanks and see the bread breaking but this time - this time we catch our breath. What did He say? "Take it; this is my body."

And next He took a cup and gave thanks and gave it to them all and they drank. '"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,' he said to them."    What?    I'm thinking all of heaven must jumped to their feet as they hear their Lord announcing the fulfillment of the Jeremiah 31:33-34.

So here we have it. The gift that will be physically played out in the next few hours. The gift that will make all the difference to every person in history. ("Then Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.'" John 6:53)

How can we ever say thank you for this gift?  What can we do but reverently give ourselves whole-heartedly to Him?

On the Alert

It's coming! We are reminded in Mark 13:24-14:9 that the wonderful day is coming when Jesus comes in great power and glory to gather His bride. But, of course we've all heard that before - for years. So I agree it is a little hard to keep anticipating and on the alert. But He is reminding up today (three times in three verses) - stay on the alert.

 In verse 32 there is this fascinating detail: "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."  Don't you love it how Jesus is waiting on the Father to give the word to come get us. Yes!

So I'm thinking today is the time to be about His business and to get ready. Forget that culture-lazy "I'll get around to that phone call or visit or pray about that later". Who knows if there will be any time later?

What do You want today Lord? I want to be ready for You. 

Being Prepared

Peter, James, John, and Andrew are worried. Jesus had warned earlier that every stone in their beloved sacred temple would be torn down! Jesus always speaks the truth. So when? How will they know it's coming (to be prepared)?

But actually Jesus does not focus on that question but a vastly more important topic (Mark 13:3-23). He begins and ends this section on the "end times" with a warning about people that would mislead many as things get rough:  "At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."

Since we are a part of the elect, we would do well to "take heed" as our Master says. Because this deception is evidently the real disaster to be prepared for. 

So how do we prepare? Continuing to get to know our Lord and falling in love with Him is the answer. That way any impostor would clearly be seen as a cheap fake. 

"Indeed, I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord.."  Philippians 3:8