Jonah 1:1-2 (Short Commentary Version)

Jonah 1:1-2
1 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.”

Vs. 1-2 Jonah a prophet of God, was from Gath Hepher, a town in the tribe of Zebulon in Northern Israel during the divided Kingdom era when King Jeroboam II an ungodly King (793-753 B.C.) reigned in Samaria. While Nineveh was an ancient city founded by Nimrod (see Genesis 10:10-12), which was located near the Tigris River, and eventually became the capital of the Assyrian empire, (885 B.C. to roughly 625 B.C.). Now Assyria at the time of Jonah was a growing world power, which frequently threatened Israel, beginning with King Jehu's reign, and would continue to do so until the Israelites were according to Word of the Lord taken into captivity by Assyria in 722. B.C. Now the Word of the Lord which came to Jonah was go and preach to Nineveh; but that was not something Jonah was willing to do, given their enemy status with Israel, though Jonah had already been a faithful preacher to his countrymen (2 Kings 14:25). Therefore when God commanded Jonah to go to and preach to Israel’s enemies at Nineveh, so that they might be given an opportunity to repent and be spared. Jonah hardened himself and refused. And thus Jonah’s hardness of heart is seen throughout the Book. For Jonah didn’t want the people of Assyria to receive God’s mercy, he wanted God to punish them. Which is an attitude that can easily frequent us as well if we harden our hearts to God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ to all people as well, especially those “we have a history with” and or who have sinned against us? Indeed if we grew up in the faith and have been "obedient" to it all our lives, we can also rather easily become like the older brother in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son who was quite unwilling to receive even his own brother, and thus became very upset at their Father for receiving and celebrating the return of His own repentant son (See Luke 15:11-31). Nonetheless God does not deal with people that way, for He wanted to show the people of Nineveh mercy, as He does everyone, for the Lord God takes no delight in the harm, death, or destruction of anyone or anything (Ezekiel 18:23), only Satan does (John 10:10). Therefore God never brings judgment on anyone without first seeking reconciliation. Offering conditions of peace by which He may bring forth our well being when in repentance and faith we turn to Him  (John 3:16). Again that the wickedness of the people of Nineveh had come up to God indicates God’s longsuffering towards all people, even His enemies. But even that has an end as the Apostle Peter warns us of those who now foolishly scoff at the Lord Jesus Christ’s Second coming and are not reconciled with Him while they can be (see 2 Peter 3:9-17).

Have you then come to the place of grace, of acknowledging your sins to God, and asking Him because of the crucifixion  death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross to save you from them? For repentance towards God begins with a humble heart (James 4:8-10); of being poor in spirit as Jesus said, which opens the doors of the Kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3). For Jesus can and does save us from God's wrath and judgment to come when we believe in Him (John 3:35-36). Trusting His death on the cross and Resurrection from the dead apart from anything we do or have done He then brings us into God's favor and peace. And this He does by bringing us into a relationship with Himself and God the Father by His Holy Spirit who indwells us all who believe, by which we experience His life and peace. For these things always begin on the inside, and are an outworking of Christ in our lives. They are not something we are to try to do for ourselves. They are something God does in us and through us when we repent and believe (Mark 1:15). If you would like to receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life (Rev. 3:20) and become a child of God (John 1:12) just pray a simple prayer like this, in repentance and faith: Dear Lord Jesus I know that I am a sinner and that apart from you I have neither life, nor peace with God. Therefore I repent of my sins and self directed living and invite you into my heart and life to be my Lord and Saviour, in Jesus' Name amen.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

John 1:5

John 1:5
And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

That the darkness did not comprehend the light (or overcome it) as the margin reading gives it, is that it is of the Sovereign God that all those who do not believe and receive the love of the truth will neither prevail or prosper against the truth. For though the Lord Jesus Christ’s light shines everywhere and upon every person, there are those who simply do not comprehend it, as neither the Jews, chief priests or the Roman governor Pilate who acquiesced to their desire to crucify Jesus did not (see John 18:28-38; Acts 13:26-41). And thus they do not believe the revelation of the Living Word of God Jesus Christ, neither receiving God's gospel nor His redemption work done through it, for them, and us all. Yet that is exactly what God desires for everyone, to personally know Him, by receiving the love of the truth, the glorious gospel, the only Good News and hope for humanity, to mentally and emotionally grasp all that is about His Son Jesus Christ sent to save and redeem us all from our sins and death. To take firm hold of it like a thirsting man would a pitcher of water; or a starving man a loaf of bread. For only in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is found the grace of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes (Titus 3:4-7). That profound reality that God loves us all and has already atoned for our sins by Jesus' death on a cross, and now wants to restore His life back into us all (John 3:3-5), and thus by doing so restore us back to Himself, and thus save us all from the judgment to come, must never be lost on us (John 3:16-21). For the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is not some “mystery” that one acquires by observing religious rites and rituals; nor is the gospel a message for only a select “obedient” few who think themselves worthy of it (Mark 2:15-17). The gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is for everyone who sees their need for the salvation of God and believes in His Son Jesus Christ as the sole means and Person charged with bringing it to us all. For it is the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ who came down from heaven to earth as a Man to redeem us from our sins (Isaiah 59:2). And by doing so restore us to a right relationship with God the Father, by what He has done, not by what we have done (Eph. 2:8-9). Therefore By His own birth, life, crucifixion death, then resurrection from the dead and finally His ascension back to God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God has made the way to God the Father possible for everyone and anyone who simply believes in His Person (John 6:29). For that is the light of Christ God shines on all of His creation, to come to Him through His Son Jesus Christ as the sole means of being reconciled back to Himself (John 14:6; 2 Cor. 5:21). To do so while the hour of grace is upon us all. For when you do, new and everlasting Life, Jesus Christ’s Resurrection Life will come within you, and thus the Holy Spirit by whom this life comes to us all who believe in Jesus, will seal you for all eternity (Eph 1:13-14). And thus Jesus having secured you forever (John 6:39), you have both physical life now, but also Spirit life by which one enters the Kingdom of heaven (John 3:3-5). No longer then separated from God by sin and death; and thus under the wrath of God, which is now reserved only for those who don’t believe in, nor obey His Son (John 3:35-36; 2 Thess 1:8). Instead having been born-again by the Spirit of the Living God, you and I are the children of God, because we believe and received the love of truth about Jesus, God’s only Son. For "...as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13


Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

John 1:4

John 1:4
"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."

Daily Devotional
In Christ was the life (that is the life of God that everyone one of us desires and needs) for it is the life in Jesus that is the light of men. That is what draws men and women to Jesus, the life of God within Him and. For that is the purpose that Jesus came forth from God to restore the life of God within us. Something that humanity lost when Adam; the first man who sinned, and thus sin entered the world through him, hence all of us being descended from him are born into that separated state from God. Spiritually dead and in need of life, God's life restored within us (Gen. 2:15-17). For the Scripture says "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 6:23 And so it is for that reason that Jesus Christ came forth, stepping into our world as a Man, to not only restore us to life; the life which Adam lost when he sinned, and thus sin entered the world through him.
But to bring life, and to bring it more abundantly, which we all receive when we believe in Him (John 10:10-11; 3:16). For it is the Lord Jesus Christ's death on the cross by which first atonement for our sins is made, and thus His sacrificial death becomes the justification by which God through His Spirit imparts Jesus Christ's Resurrection life with us. And so it is Jesus Christ's life within us which likewise illuminates or gives light to all men, if we are in a relationship with Him (Matt. 5:14). For it is the life of Christ that is the light by which people find God and experience new and everlasting life (2 Cor. 5:17). We don’t impart the life, we are just partakers of it, and vessel’s by which Jesus (if we are living in a right relationship with Himself) illuminates Himself and brings true and everlasting life to others (2 Tim. 2:19-21). Again it is Jesus’ life that speaks to the very heart and souls of men and women and says: ...“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Proverbs 4:23

Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.

Daily Devotional
What you give your heart over to eventually will rule your behavior and life. That is what this proverb is warning us about. For as a man’s feet are lead by his eyes. So the human heart is lead or mislead by what it embraces. And thus ones heart (that is the desires within it) often dictates what one's person and life will be like. Therefore keep your heart with all diligence is an exhortation for us to be discerning and careful about we embrace as truth and this we can do by keeping it solidly grounded in the Word of God. For it is only by knowing the Word of God that sin and error can be rightly exposed. For in this world there are many philosophers and philosophies, many “religions” and "belief" systems, and many if not all are contrary to the truth of God’s Living Word and thus God's Living Son Jesus Christ. Likewise popular culture in unending forms and mediums daily expounds various sins, vices and pleasures as the purpose and pursuit of our lives. Many subtle and not so subtle things to appeal to or entice the sinful nature of us all are bound up in this world; yet are so easily and readily justified by popular opinion and or assimilation. (Nonetheless consider what the Lord Jesus says in regards to these Matt. 18:7-9). Therefore my exhortation to you is guard your heart with all diligence and do not build your faith upon the transient values and "evolving" opinions of unregenerate men and women. Rather guard your soul by building your faith upon the Rock: that is the Lord Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead and learn obedience to His and His Apostle’s commandments. For that is the only safeguard against falling into the deceptions of Satan, who is the "god" of this world who ensnares and deludes all those who are ignorant, disobedient; or worse in their unbelieving pride make light of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word sent to save them and all who will believe in Him, from eternal destruction and the judgment to come. Therefore as a child of God be watchful and circumspect in all things, for there are many things (moral, spiritual, even doctrinal things) that believers can easily stumble into if they are ignorant and unaware of the dangers that are both in the world; and sadly, inside the house of faith as well (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. 1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

A Gift from God

Numbers 8:13-19
13 “And you shall stand the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and then offer them like a wave offering to the LORD. 14 “Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine. 15 “After that the Levites shall go in to service the tabernacle of meeting. So you shall cleanse them and offer them, like a wave offering. 16 “For they are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel; I have taken them for Myself instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the children of Israel. 17 “For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are Mine, both man and beast; on the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them to Myself. 18 “I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel. 19 “And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near the sanctuary.”

Devotional
On the day God struck all the firstborn in Egypt He consecrated to Himself all the firstborn in Israel. And with the Law being given and the priesthood through Aaron established, God now consecrated to Himself all the Levites instead of the firstborn in Israel, of both man and beast. The reason for this is so that they, the Levites, could serve God throughout their generations in place of the Israelites in the Tabernacle duties. As well so that God could give them as a gift to Aaron and his son’s, the priests, so that they might serve them and be with them in the ministry work for Israel (Num. 18:1-7). Now these are interesting things and one can go into a lot of detail about them. Instead I want us to focus on just one verse and one specific thought from that verse. In verse nineteen God says to Moses in consecrating the Levites to Himself “And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel…” Therefore please consider that God gives us gifts: His salvation is a gift, His love is a gift, our lives are a gift… Not only to be enjoyed and lived out in peaceful union with Himself but also with others as well. That is essentially what a church body is. People separated to the Lord God because of their personal faith in and commitment to Jesus Christ living their lives out in love and peace amongst each other, and hopefully with others as well.

Now within this Body of Believers God by His Spirit has given every member gifts. These are Supernatural endowments given by the Holy Spirit according to His own will to each believer, by which we are to serve each other in love (1 Cor. 12:4-11; Gal. 5:13). Now these gifts are unique. And each gift, just like each person, makes a unique contribution to whole. Therefore no particular gift or person can be said to be unnecessary, for all are necessary for the proper functioning of the whole body (1 Cor. 12:14-27), just as each member or person is. For God has placed each member in the Body of Christ just as He pleased (1 Cor. 12:18). And thus for the church to function well it must not be dependent on one particular gift or gifted person, but on the whole Body of believers from the least to the greatest exercising their Spirit given gifts in love and in accord with God’s designs for us all. That is all things are done for the edification of church (1 Cor. 14:12, 26, 33). Therefore even those members who seem weaker are necessary. And those members who are less honorable we are to bestow greater honor on, since the more honorable have no need. And thus there should be no schism amongst the members. But all the members should have mutual care for each other (1 Cor. 12:22-25). Therefore if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it, or if one member is honored all the members rejoice with it; for we are the Body of Christ and members individually (1 Cor. 12:26-27). Now there is a hierarchy of Spirit gifts that make up for church leadership (1 Cor. 12:28-31), yet as chapter twelve closes chapter thirteen begins with love being exhorted as the greatest gift and greatest exercise of Spirit gifts and talents, not hierarchical authority.

So then returning to where I started I want you to know that you are gift given by God. Your life has a purpose and meaning. First you are a gift to God Himself created to know Him and love Him and be loved by Him. Second through Jesus Christ you are a gift to the Lord Himself and the church. Set in place there by God Himself to honor His Son and build up the church in love with whatever Spirit gifts and calling God has placed in you. Third you are gift to your family. Maybe you’re a father or mother, child or grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew etc. Whatever role or roles you currently occupy you are a gift from God there. I don’t know anyone (in any circumstance of life) that cannot be a gift to others if they rightly see themselves as that, given by God to help and encourage others. Fourth you’re a gift from God to your community. The many volunteers who serve their communities in innumerable ways are indeed gifts from God. Equally in your workplace how you do your work there and treat those around you can very much be a gift from God to all there. And as Christians we should be gifts; i.e. a blessing to those around us. Same with what we do in our leisure time, we can be a gift not only to our families but also to the extended contacts and influences that come through family ties as well. Fifth you’re a gift from God to humanity. Every human being is an image bearer of God (Gen. 1:27). And thus you and I, no matter what our circumstance of life, whether healthy and strong or weak and farial have an inherent and immeasurable value and dignity placed on us and within us by God Himself (If you doubt this consider Jesus' warning not to disparage another human being, Matt. 5:22). For we are all exceedingly valued by God as Jesus Himself said of His purpose for coming forth from God to save us from our sins which separate us from God, and thus life itself (John 3:16). Therefore within us we all have the capacity to not only relate to God but also our fellow persons. People who say we cannot adequately relate to someone from a different walk of life, or life experience or culture are copping out. All people, whatever the culture or background understand common human experiences, like love or tragedy, joy and laughter, sadness and despair; dreams and failures etc. We’ve all experienced it, or have the capacities within us to do so. And thus we have the capacity to enter into another’s joy or suffering and be a blessing there, as well as by letting people into our own lives experiences. For we are all given by God as a gift to all our human brethren, equipped with natural abilities and personality traits that make us unique. But also immensely valuable in who we are as God’s creation, and what we can do and contribute and potentially contribute to the service of God and well being of others in this life. I’m always amazed and humbled by what God does through children. Little gifts of great curiosity and endless energy with a desire to serve and be involved if only given a chance. I remember when volunteering at a local food bank seeing elementary school age children arrive by the bus load and these seemingly little children with great zeal and joy would sort through the large wooden crates of potatoes donated from the various producers in the area, removing the spoilage from the usable ones. It seemed in no time flat they’d have a bin licked and be moving onto the next one. Amazing!
Parents I know you love your children. But do you know how much they want to be involved with you? Next time when you go shopping, or are doing something around the home, or in the yard, ask your children to be a part of whatever you’re doing. You’ll build some really strong bonds and be not only a blessing to them, but just maybe blessed by them. Now being a blessing begins by first receiving a blessing from God the Father. That is where it all begins. Not by trying harder in your own strength and resolve to be a Godly person, but by first admitting defeat. For it is there that God meets us, the broken, the failures, the poor in spirit, as Jesus said, and makes us into people of the Kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3).

If you have never come to see your need for the Savior and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, maybe today is the day. By a simple prayer of faith placing all of your hope on Jesus Christ the Lord crucified to pay for all our sins, and risen from the dead so that He can impart new and everlasting life within us the moment we believe in Him, by His Holy Spirit, you can. For it’s not what you have done or have not done that makes us or will make us acceptable to God the Father, it’s whether or not we believe in His Son Christ Jesus the Lord (John 3:16-21). That is the sole basis for our being restored to God the Father and brought to Spirit life, eternal life. For it is God's Righteousness given to us when we believe in Jesus that saves us.

If you would like to begin that relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ His Son and be blessed by Him simply pray in faith something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I know that I am a sinner and have sinned against You and am in no way capable of changing myself much less paying for my sins. Yet You were sent from God to not only save us from our sins and the judgment to come but to bless us with Your Person, Presence and Power dwelling inside us. For it is only by You that we experience God’s love, grace and life in all its fullness. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be both my Lord and Savior; first for salvation; and then as You work in and through my life a blessing to others as well, In Jesus' Name, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 1:16-19 "Follow Me"

Mark 1:16-19
16 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

Devotional
The following is just some thoughts on following Jesus. What it entails and what it does not. I hope that you find it instructing (if you are just beginning your journey with the Lord) or encouraging if you have been a follower of Jesus for some time. For there is no greater Person and Purpose then to follow the the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, the Son of God.

Thoughts on Following Jesus:
Notice Jesus doesn’t say follow a denomination or a program. He doesn’t say follow a charismatic leader or the latest Christian trend or book. He doesn’t say follow a particular form or day of worship. Nor does Jesus say follow a particular Bible translation; (Jesus quoted from both the Hebrew Bible as well as the Greek version of it called the Septuagint) and so Jesus says follow Me.
Again Jesus does not say follow various religious ceremonies or ordinaces born out of the traditions and commandments of men (Matt. 15:1-9; Titus 1:14-16). Nor does Jesus say become a Jew and follow the letter of the Law, or the rabbinic teachings and traditions born from that (Acts 15). Jesus says to all follow Me. For in following Christ there is a liberty of person and life expressed by the Life and Person of Jesus Christ dwelling inside all who believe in Him as Lord and Savior.
Now in this following Jesus, He does not say in our following Him, make Me cultural, national or regional. As if following Jesus is limited to a certain culture, nation or people group. For there is no culture, nation, language or people whom the Lord does not love and want to redeem from their sins and eternal damnation (Acts 10). Nor does Jesus say in our following Him for us to base His accepting people on whether they have lived good, righteous and or virtuous lives in our eyes (Rom. 3:23). For if that is the basis of our (or anyone else's) being accepted by God, our being "good enough", then Jesus’ suffering and dying on the cross for all our sins was in vain (Gal. 2:21). For neither the Scriptures, nor the Gospel, is a message about "good people" for “good people". For we have all proven that there is no one that is good, except One, and that is God, as Jesus said (Matt. 19:16-17). Again Jesus said He did not come to call the righteous, (that is those who are righteous in their own eyes) but sinners to repentance (See Matt. 9:9-13).

Similarly Jesus does not say in following Him that we are to make His accepting someone based on whether or not they will adhere to our own personal likes and dislikes (in all non-moral, ethical and doctrinal matters) in whatever areas of life we have these in. Especially in regards to how we worship and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. For God does not give us who believe liberty to love, worship, and serve Him freely in all joy and peace so that we can exclude or judge other believers when they do not conform to our (or our congregations) personal likes and dislikes in whatever areas of life we have these in (Rom. 14). For it is Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead and that makes for all our acceptance before God because we believe in Jesus Christ’s Person (John 3:16-21; Rom. 1:16-17). For that is the sole basis for our being justified in the sight of God, faith in Jesus, period (Rom. 3:19-28; 5:1).

And so back to Jesus’ command to follow Him. He’s not asking us to take on some sort of heavy religious burden (Matt. 11:28-30). And thus bear the fruits of that self-imposed and self limiting  servitude. For all works based religions inevitably lead to legalism, isolation and or self justification. And thus all to frequently religious arrogance, indifference (Luke 18:9-14), or worse justifying the condemnation of others. For sadly it is often the most “religious” of people who are often the most indifferent towards wayward mankind (Matt. 9:9-13), and or hostile towards God’s redeemed people of grace (Gal. 4:21-31), of whom we all are as Jesus' followers; for we all who believe in Christ are now Christ's and are all washed by the Lambs blood, and thus saved by the grace of God (Eph. 2:8-9). Therefore Jesus is inviting us all to follow Him, to first acknowledge our own sinfulness, and thus our need for His redemption of our persons by His Crucifixion death and Resurrection from the dead, then as we go on with Him in His Spirit's power, our own powerlessness along the way. For to follow Jesus in discipleship is to follow Him with no preconceived ideas of what that is going to look like (John 12:26). In other words Jesus is asking us to let Him write the script of our new lives (2 Cor. 5:17).

But again first we must see our need for Him (in this consider Peter's own acknowledgment of his own sinfulness when Christ called him; Luke 5:1-11, vs. 8). And so to follow Jesus in grace and truth (John 1:14) we have to come to the place of acknowledging our sinful condition to God and look to Jesus Christ crucified as the sole solution for it (John 3:16). Then having received the solution for our sins by repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ’s Person. God accepts Jesus Christ’s atoning work on the cross for our sins and then imputes His Righteousness to us (2 Cor. 5:21). Having then received the gift of God's salvation by faith in Jesus Christ's Person we then are to follow Jesus in discipleship. That is how one becomes a Christian. Not by water baptism (1 Cor. 1:17); not by trying to emulate charismatic gifts, not by endlessly confessing one's sins, or making prayers to Mary or any "saint", and thus not by practicing useless religious rituals, counting beads on a string, or observing sacred days (Gal. 4:9-11). And certainly not by scrict bodily neglect and or self abuse (Col 2:20-22). But only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person as the sole means of being made right with, and transformed by God (Titus 3:4-7). And so having been born again by the Spirit of God who regenerates us, and baptizes us into the Body of Christ, we begin the incredible journey of Living the life of Christ. That is of Jesus Christ Living inside us and manifesting Himself through us.

Today then it may be that Jesus will bring into your path someone whom He has prepared to receive the gospel; or has a certain need that He has Spirit equipped you to meet, witness too, or build up in love as Jesus has commanded we do as His disciples (Matt. 22:37-39; John 15:12). Or maybe it is too do some good work that God has prepared before hand for you to do, or to encourage or bless someone today by (Eph. 2:10). And thus you may find yourself sharing Christ on a street corner, or in a university campus. Maybe you'll find visiting someone in the hospital or serving in a local food bank. Maybe it will be preaching a sermon somewhere, or teaching a Sunday school class. Maybe it will start by just being a Godly mother, father or role model in some capacity to someone and thus preparing your children, yourself and those in your sphere of influence for greater things. I cannot limit or prescribe what Jesus will have you do for Him, and what He will do through you and me individually, as well as corporately as a church body as we follow Him in discipleship. For we are as the recipients of the grace of God to be, and always striving to be, a blessing in this life to all people. Regardless of what may distinguish one person from another. Since we all bear the image of God. Therefore whatever it is, may it always revolve around being a maturing disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. For it is Jesus Christ alone who has brought us into God’s love and salvation so that we might manifest it to all. Therefore we are to be His servants and witnesses of this by both words and deeds. That’s the outworking of following Jesus Christ, where ones faith, by abiding in Jesus Christ's love, produces works and words like Christ's (John 14:12; 15:1-11). Now the the inward part of our following Jesus is our sanctification; that is our progressively being transformed by the Power of the Holy Spirit as we obey Christ's commandments. Now in both of these obedience to Jesus Christ’s commandments really takes precedence. For in order to remain grounded in Christ’s life one must not only believe in Jesus Christ for salvation, but we must also learn obedience to Him by abiding in and keeping His Word (John 8:31; 14:23). For we cannot possibly be Christ like in this life unless we strive to put into practice what He Himself does and has commanded us all to do.

Now in saying this I want you to understand I’m not immune to either temptations or failure (just as you are not). But I am thoroughly confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in me (and you) will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6). Therefore I'm always encouraged by the knowledge of my co-crucifixion with Christ (Rom. 6) by which the Holy Spirit who works in accord with this truth, empowers me to either resist or flee, and thus eventually overcome whatever temptations the flesh or the tempter brings my way (1 Cor. 10:13). For that is my, as well as your responsibility. To overcome the flesh, the world, the devil (Hebrews 12:1-17) . Ultimately by submitting to God and resisting the devil. For in so doing he will flee from us (James 4:7-10). Now in this struggle we are not alone as the Lord Jesus Christ our merciful High Priest is with us in all our temptations and trials (Hebrews 4:14-16), as we learn to resist and overcome the enemy who seeks to devour us, and or forward our falling into sin (1 Peter 5:8-11).

Therefore as believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we are called to bear each other’s burdens and thus fulfill the Law of Christ by encouraging and strengthening each other in our common faith, trials and weaknesses. And so when necessary restore in a spirit of gentleness those who fall into sin; (for that is what a merciful person does, Matt. 5:7) while still holding each other accountable for our own lives. For we shall each bear our own load (Gal. 6:1-5). Yet I believe it will be through every trial of person and faith that God will increase our discernment as well our knowledge and understanding of Him and His dealings with us and others as well. Therefore we are to always “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Eph. 6:10). As we bear up under the pressures of this life by using the whole armor of God which is exceedingly effective as we believe and obey the truth given us (Eph. 6:11-18), and thus as we put into practice what we are taught and commanded (1 John 5:18-20). For we must overcome it all by the power of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection (Rom. 7:4-6; 1 Cor. 15:56-57; Col. 2:11-23; Rev. 3:21). And so in accord with this as a follower of Jesus is our mind renewal (Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 10:5). Therefore readily receive the Word of God which alone can sanctify us (John 17:17-19) and grant us an inheritance amongst those who are sanctified by faith in Christ (Acts 26:18). For having lived according to this world and it's evil age we should not return to it (1 John 2:15-17). Something that God works in all who truly believe, our separation from it (John 15:19-21; Rev. 18:4-5). Therefore in all wisdom, discernment and patient understanding believe in and follow Jesus Christ to eternal life (Col. 1:9-23).

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 16:9-20 Jesus Christ's Resurrection

Mark 16:9-20
9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. 12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. 14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.


Devotional
This is the last installment of a devotional series that has been following Mark's Gospel. It began over a year ago and has been personally rewarding as well as challenging. I hope that through it someone has come to know God personally, or has grown deeper in their knowledge and understanding of God our Father, through our Loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So then beginning in verse nine it states that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week. This monumental event is supported by the other gospels (Matt. 28:1-10; Luke 24:10; John 20:1-8) and of course eye witnesses (1 Cor. 15:3-11). But most importantly by each and every believer since who has come to experience the Living Presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in their persons (Col. 1:27). And thus we are by the very fact of our being here evidence proof of Christ's resurrection from the dead with His Spirit magnifying the Lord Jesus through us to all. And having risen, Mark recalls that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene and she went and told the disciples (vs. 9-11). This event’s details are recorded in John 20:11-18. Now Mark also recalls their initial unbelief when Mary Magdalene first told them, (these details are found in Luke 24:1-12). Mark then tells us of Jesus’ appearance to two disciples on the road (vs. 12-13) these details are laid out for us in (Luke 24:13-35). Mark then tells us of Jesus’appearance to the eleven while they sat at the table; there Jesus appearing to them in Bodily form rebukes their unbelief (vs. 14) before commissioning them to go and preach the gospel everywhere, not just in church amongst themselves, but everywhere, to every creature. The root of this command coming from the Lord Jesus Christ's own Authority which God the Father has bestowed exclusively on Him, meaning neither person nor place is to be off limits to the glorious Gospel of God that brings salvation to all who repent and believe. These details along with Jesus' ascension before them are given to us variously in Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-20; Luke 24:36-53; John 20:19-25; Acts 1:3-12; 1 Cor. 15:6-7. Now in the space of a couple of verses Mark actually covers over forty days of actual time (Acts 1:3). I thought I'd mention that fact in case some might be supposing these events unfolded in rapid succession, as is the nature of Mark in his presenting the gospel to us.

Now Matthews’s gospel uniquely records Jesus’ appearance to the other women who were with Mary at the tomb (Matt. 28:9-10), as well as the tombs guards appeasement from the chief priests (Matt. 28:11-15). While John’s gospel records Jesus’ appearing eight days after His resurrection to the disciples to convince Thomas (John 20:24-31) who was not present the first time Jesus appeared to them (John 20:19-23). As well as His meeting with them by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25). Each gospel writer then as the Holy Spirit moved them recorded what was assigned to them to record. Sometimes there is overlap, sometimes there is events uniquely recalled by certain Apostle’s. Or as in the case of Mark, as he recalled what the Apostle Peter preached and taught him. The point is they each recalled and recorded the events as the Holy Spirit moved them. To provide a written account to the Lord Jesus Christ’s birth, life, crucifixion death, resurrection from the dead, then ascension back to God the Father. Therefore no single gospel has or ever will have “priority” over another. All four were given by the Holy Spirit for the church’s instruction, edification and evangelistic ministry. And thus all are necessary. For they were all given by God the Father through His Holy Spirit to present an eye witness account of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

And so Mark’s gospel (like Matthew, Luke and John) stands as a unique work given by the Spirit of God. Reflecting his own literary style and personality. Emphasizing certain things; like the Passion Week narrative as a whole; and omitting other aspects (like Jesus' birth details). Something that we scarcely even take note of since the Holy Spirit’s Ministry of the Word assures us that all the details that the Lord Jesus Christ wanted preserved for us are preserved by one or all of the four gospel writers. For the gospel is one record of the life, teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ from four different "viewpoints". Therefore each is a unique contribution to the whole. And with that I simply want to move back into Mark’s glorious gospel and pick up at verse fourteen where I left off. Where Jesus appearing to the eleven as they sat at a table will rebuke their unbelief and hardness of heart because they did not believe those who had seen Him, after He had risen from the dead (Mark 16:14). Now that sort of hardness of heart can also overtake us; who likewise believe; yet for whatever reasons become hardened to workings of God through us and or around us; even hardened towards our basic purposes in Christ like evangelism/disciple making, reading and memorizing the Scriptures, prayer, or maintaining good works as a way of life so that we remain spiritually vibrant and fruitful. Therefore we must be careful and diligent to maintain our faith in an unbelieving and cynical world that looks to itself to "save" or change itself, or science to explain everything. For there are things within the Word of God, by God's design, that science cannot explain. Just as they cannot fathom the origin of sin and evil in the world; nor of a Living God who loves, redeems and transforms sinners who believe in Him through His Son by His Holy Spirit. Or a personal devil who both deceives and holds the unbelieving world under his sway. For though true knowledge comes from God, it’s not intellectual reasoning that God ultimately wants to grow up in our person’s. It is faith in His Person. Specifically faith in His Son, who in the fullness of time came to earth and took on flesh as a Man, not as a full grown Man, but as we all come into life from God as a fetus, and specifically for the Lord Jesus Christ, a fetus in the virgin Mary’s womb. A woman who was chosen by God and told by the angel Gabriel that she would be the women through whom the Christ would come into the world (Luke 1:26-38). Later an angel confirmed this to Joseph her betrothed husband (Matt. 1:18-24). And so when Jesus was born, on the same day He was born, His birth was heralded first by an angel who appeared to some shepherds in the field telling them of Christ's arrival, then by an angelic host in the heavens praising God. Now the shepherds believing what was spoken to them went to Bethlehem with haste and saw the new born baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph. And having seen the Christ Child they spread the news everywhere, of what they had heard and seen (Luke 2:1-20). Now with the Lord Jesus Christ being born under the Law of Moses He was circumcised according to the Law on the eighth day. It was at that time He was Named Jesus according to what the angel Gabriel had told Mary and Joseph to name Him (Luke 2:21-24), His Name meaning Savior, and thus through it declaring His purpose in coming forth from God, to save us from our sins (Matt. 1:21) when we believe in His Person and call upon His Name (Rom. 10:9-10; 13).  

Now when Mary’s purification according to the Law of Moses was completed (see Lev. 12:1-8 to understand) Joseph and Mary brought the infant Christ to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice according to the Law for Him (Luke 2:22-24). It was during this time that two people; a Godly widow of great age named Anna, and a Godly man named Simeon whose sole desire of God was to see the Christ before he died, were witnesses to Him. And when they saw Him they prophesied and glorified the Lord God in the Temple for having seen the new born Christ (Luke 2:25-38). And having done so Anna spoke of the Lord’s Christ or Messiah (as the Jews refer to Him) to everyone who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. It was after this that the magi from the east came seeking the Christ Child in Jerusalem, being guided by a star which appeared in the east to them. Now when they came to Jerusalem both Herod and all those there were greatly troubled by their news. For such was the perceived threat to their reign that the Jews had a King born to them.
Though Jesus is far more than just a King of the Jews, He is Lord and King of all; to Whom we all owe our greatest honor, respect and obedience (John 5:23). And so Herod's opposition to Jesus is really just an outworking of Satan's, and so Herod, then the governor of Judea, under Roman auspices, sought to kill the Chosen One of God whom had been born amongst them.   

In this Herod pretends to desire to worship the Christ Child and sends the magi whom came from the east seeking the Holy Child, to Bethlehem to seek Him out, his true purposes unknown to them. Now when they departed from Herod the star which they had seen in east again appears to them and they rejoice exceedingly, for it was by it that they were being guided by God to the Child. Now when they found Him and saw the Christ Child in Mary’s arms they fell down and worshipped Him and presented their gifts to Him. And being Divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod they depart and return to their own country. Now when they had departed an angel appears to Joseph in a dream warning him to take the young Child and His mother and flee to Egypt until he would bring them word. For he told him that Herod would seek to destroy the Child (Matt. 2:13). So Joesph took the young Child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt, and they were there until the death of Herod, thus fulfilling the Scripture which says: "Out of Egypt I called My Son." (Matt. 2:13-15). Now when Herod saw that he was deceived by the magi (or wise men) he became exceedingly angry and began to put to death all the male children in Bethlehem, and in all it's districts, from two years old and under, according to the time he had determined from the wise men in an attempt to destroy whom he perceived would be his greatest single revile. Thus fulfilling the Word of God spoken by the prophet Jeremiah which says:

“A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more.” (See Matt. 2:16-18;  Note: Ramah is the region, while Rachel is Jacobs beloved wife, whose son Benjamin was the father of the tribe of Israel where Bethlehem was located. There are twelve tribes in Israel each being named after Jacob/Israel's sons)

Now when Herod was dead an angel of the Lord appeared to Joesph in Egypt telling him to take the Child and His mother and return to Israel, since all those who sought the Child's life were now dead (Matt. 2:19-20). And so Joesph coming up from Egypt at God's command spoken through His angel might have gone into the region of Israel called Judea. But when he heard that Archeluas was reining over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene" (Matt. 2:21-23). That is the early history of Jesus' Life minus the details of John the Baptist's birth which one can learn and study by reading the first chapter of Luke's gospel. Now having given a bit of history I want to jump back into Mark’s gospel picking up at verse fifteen and concluding at verse twenty where Jesus commissions the disciples. For there He says to them (and us all) …“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Now notice again first that Jesus in giving us the command to go out and preach the gospel to every creature, places absolutely no restrictions on us as to whom or where the gospel is to be preached. Therefore the gospel is not just to be preached in church, or at evangelistic rallies, or Bible camps or Bible study and various kinds of support groups. But everywhere, to everyone by whatever legitimate and tactful means possible. For imagine if everyone who believes simply shared the Good News of God’s love and salvation without religious formulations and pretenses. But rather by just being themselves, through their own personality, life and God experiences beginning in their own language and culture to first their family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, or anyone else God has prepared and brings their way, or sends them too. The impact would be world changing. For I know the gospel is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, to both the Jews (to whom it was first preached) and now all Gentiles everywhere, from every circumstance of life. “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Rom. 1:17 Now that truth is what makes the gospel preach-able and reachable in Prisons and Palaces and everywhere else that falls between those extremes. That it is the Lord Jesus Christ’s Righteousness imputed to us, and His Life brought within us, the moment we believe in His Person, by which we are now reconciled back to God. All because of Jesus' death on the cross by which God has atoned (or payed for) all our sins (See 2 Cor. 5:20-21; Eph. 1:13-14). And thus having been reconciled back to God by faith in Jesus Christ's Person we can now live out the new and everlasting life, given us by God through His Spirit (John 6:63). For we who believe have now been freely justified by God through the Lord Jesus Christ's Person (Rom. 5:1). Which leads us into verse sixteen which states: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Though there seems to be a formulation for salvation in Jesus’ Words it is the believing in Him that is the essential component of salvation (John 3:16; 6:29), for without faith one cannot please God and hence there would be no salvation (Hebrews 11:6). For salvation is not by our own works (Eph. 2:8-9), it’s by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ’s Person, crucified for our sins remission and raised from the dead for our justification. Therefore all those who believe in Jesus will be saved by the grace of God and those who don’t will be condemned (John 3:18). The gospel truly is that simple (2 Cor. 11:3-4). Really then there is no controversy with Mark 16:16 and Jesus’ Words there until someone tries to link water baptism with salvation. For when they try to do that they move from God’s grace into human works (or adding human works to God's finished work on the cross) and thus serious error by supplanting God's Righteousness with their own (consider Rom. 3:19-28; 4:4-5; 10:3-4). Now Mark’s gospel’s statement on believing and baptism though unique to His gospel presentation is clearly in accord with the entire gospel account. For the Apostle Peter’s preaching emphasized faith and repentance, with water baptism being an outworking of this, but not as a means to it (Acts 2:14-39). For water baptism in of itself saves no one, as the Apostle Peter himself has said. Rather it is simply an indication of a clear conscience towards God which we receive by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's resurrected Person (1 Peter 3:21). Now Jesus’ Words in verses seventeen and eighteen are likewise unique to Mark’s gospel but they are not unique in of themselves. Since they clearly foretell just what the Apostle’s did in their early evangelistic ministry, as the Holy Spirit sign gifts were very prevalent in their early ministering the Gospel. Marks gospel then concludes by saying that after the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, that He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

And though in Mark’s gospel this seems like an immediate action, again there was some forty days that Jesus spent with the disciples in His resurrected Glory teaching them things pertaining to the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). And thus Mark’s gospel ending contains a few select sayings of Jesus within that time frame. Not all of Jesus’ sayings presented to us in a chronological fashion. Verse twenty then says that the Apostles went out preaching everywhere, the Lord working with them and conforming the Word through the accompanying signs. Which again the Book of Acts variously records for us, however a word of caution, these things Jesus said would follow those who believe in Him were given to His Apostle’s to authenticate their Message about Jesus Christ’s resurrection, ascension and the gospel as a whole. And having been authenticated to first the Jews, then the Samaritans, and then the Gentiles, the message having been confirmed to the ancient world it must now be preached and received solely by faith. For we have the Scriptures, Jesus Christ’s Living Words preserved for us, as well we have since, centuries of God’s working through and transforming men and women and children’s lives who have come to faith in Jesus's Person. And thus we have the Presence of the resurrected Christ working through and abiding in every believer as evidential proof of these things. So what are you waiting for, receive the Love of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person. By a simple prayer of faith you can pass from death into life and begin your new life and God given purposes in Christ. Simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe Your were crucified for my sins and that You rose from the dead and that You are now seated at the right hand of the Father. And that You poured out Your Spirit so that whoever calls on Your Name in faith
shall be saved. Therefore in humble faith knowing I cannot save myself from my sins I now invite You into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, in Your Precious Name Lord Jesus, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 16:1-8 Jesus Christ’s Resurrection (The Empty Tomb)

Mark 16:1-8
1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 “But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” 8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Devotional
If the cross signaled to the disciples of Jesus seemingly the end; the empty tomb will usher in the future of endless hope because of the resurrected Life, Power, and Person of Jesus Christ. That is where we begin, Jesus Christ having been placed in the tomb, and it being sealed, and the disciples having spent the Sabbath in a solemn state. For having heard the jeers of the crowds, the priests and scribes who mocked the Savior of the world as He was dying for all our sins. There now seemed little left to do but go about some formalities. And so with the Sabbath past Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him (vs. 1-2). A gesture of respect and honor by two of the many women who followed Jesus, who themselves had come to experience the restoration of personal dignity by the Jesus’ Person to their Person and gender. In this Mary Magdalene had come to experience this most profoundly. For she was a women of no reputation, accept that she once had unclean spirits, along with some undisclosed infirmities, whom the Lord cast out, and healed her of (Mark 16:9). And having healed her, Mary's loyalty to Jesus ran deep. And so it is no surprise of her presence at Christ’s crucifixion (John 19:25) and now along with Mary the mother of James and Salome to be the first of all the disciples seeking out the Lord after that dreadful event was completed (John 20:11-18). Dreadful in what Jesus suffered for us all; Glorious in what it accomplished.

And so she along with Mary the mother of James, and Salome also being a disciple of Jesus, having observed where Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus had laid the body of Jesus, in an newly hewn tomb, together they bought spices that they might come and anoint Him. And having come to the tomb they encounter it sealed, and with that their hearts likely sink. Yet their journey from the cross to the grave does not end there. Instead by a supernatural work of God the stone is rolled away (Matt. 28:2-4).
Understand this then there is no barrier to the resurrected Christ and the glories that await us all who believe that we must overcome in of ourselves. For whatever barriers are put before us. God Himself, who has covenanted with us, because of our faith in His Son Jesus Christ, will move for us. Now these are barriers to our faith and life with Him, not barriers to our own desires when these fall outside of the will of God for us (James 4:2-3). Therefore as we trust and obey Him and seek to honor Him. He will move them for us. Just as the Mary’s were intending to do here; for it’s not in our own strength or resources we prevail; it’s God’s. All things then are possible to the one who has faith in Jesus (Phil. 4:12-13). And so God who knows all things sent His angel to roll away the tomb’s large stone; which the Mary’s could by no means move themselves. And having scattered the guards, God makes the way for the Mary’s to enter the tomb. God then having made the way for them, the Mary’s enter the tomb, fully expecting to find Jesus’ body so that they might anoint it. It is a poignant moment where they take one last gasp of fresh air before entering, anticipating death, not life. Instead as they enter, they are alarmed to see a young man clothed in a long white robe, sitting on the right side of the tomb, (vs. 5). The young man himself being an angel sent by the God to greet them and tell them of Jesus’ resurrection!

And with their being flabbergasted by his presence, the angel says to them: …“Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 “But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” 8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Vs. 6-8

Now the angel having calmed the Mary’s then declares to them Jesus of Nazareth’s bodily resurrection, telling them to note the place he once lay (vs. 6). They then are the first eye witnesses to Christ’s empty tomb and Mary Magdalene will be after leaving it the first eye witness to Jesus Christ’s resurrection, Jesus appearing to her later (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18). With that the angel wastes no time and tells them to go and tell the disciples; and Peter; that Jesus is risen and “…that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” Vs. 7

Notice then within the promise of Jesus going before them is also a specific word of reconciliation for Peter, since he was devastated for denying Jesus three times during His trial. Now that is the first act of post crucifixion grace that the Lord Jesus Christ extends to one of His own who fail Him. Yet it will not be the last; for the resurrection of the crucified Lord Jesus Christ is the Living Message of grace, hope and new and everlasting life to everyone who believes (John 3:16-17; Rom. 3:23-24; 2 Cor. 5:17). I pray then that is the message you are hearing this Easter Sunday. For the angel does not tell the Mary’s to go and tell the Good News to the disciples, but shun Peter for his denying Jesus. Instead the angel says go and tell the disciples, yes, affirm their faith, but also tell Peter, make sure you reaffirm him, by telling him that Jesus lives and loves him and is going before you all, and will meet with you all soon. By the way do you know any Peter’s who need to be reaffirmed in their faith this Easter Sunday? Who maybe by word or deed have likewise denied Jesus in some way? If you don’t your probably living in a religious bubble that needs to be burst, for there is no one if they are honest about themselves that can stand up and declare their unfailing faithfulness to the Lord Jesus. If they do, then I would suggest calling them to account, because nobody who is truthful about themselves or those around them can honestly pretend or assert such things about themselves or others.
For we all fail, though our desire is not to, we all fail at being the kind of disciple we want to be: Loyal, faith filled, righteous, just, holy, Godly, merciful, loving, kind, prayerful, service filled and fruitful beyond ourselves. We all have disappointments about ourselves and our journey with Jesus as we move away from our old sinful nature into the new holy nature within us.

Nonetheless failure on our part does not mean our defeat. That is the message the angel declared, and I want you to take with you this Easter, the Lord Jesus Christ’s Resurrection and thus His victory over death and everything else that could possibly keep us from God and the life of Christ. For Jesus Christ wasn’t crucified because of our inherent righteousness, goodness, faithfulness or holiness, but our universal sinfulness. Yet that is how much God loves us; for though the Law universally places us all under sin and thus under the judgment of God. Nonetheless the Good News is that Jesus Christ was crucified for us all, then He rose from the dead on the third day so that we can all attain to the Righteousness of God simply by faith in His Person (Rom. 3:19-28; 2 Cor. 5:21). Hence Jesus Christ’s cross justifies us all who believe in Him regardless of what one has done or not done in the past (John 3:16-21; Rom. 5:1; Gal. 2:16, 19-21). Therefore what one once was does not enter into it when it comes to being justified in the sight of God; and thus being useful and fruitful for His purposes; for being declared righteous by God is simply by faith in Jesus Christ’s Person (Rom. 3:19-28).

Have you then come to the place of repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the sole means and Person for our salvation; because after our bodies yield their life, strength and beauty back to earth, there is no chance for reconciliation with God. We must make our decision for the Lord Jesus Christ here and now while our breath is within us. The Mary’s had a right focus and priority, for they followed Jesus right to the cross, then to grave. How far are you willing to follow Jesus? For the Scripture says: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Heb. 9:27-28

Are you eagerly waiting for the Lord Jesus’ Return? As those whose lives are being built upon Jesus Christ and pursuing His Kingdom’s purposes. Or are you spending your life on pursuing your own pleasures, dreams and treasures? In essence where is your faith? For if it is isn’t built upon the Solid Rock Christ Jesus and faith in His Person as the sole means for salvation then whatever your pursuing and hoping to satisfy you will not only leave you unsatisfied in this life. It will leave you at the end of your life empty and barren before Him at the judgment to come (Mark 8:36). For Jesus Christ having been crucified for our sins, He has risen from the dead and ascended back to the Father waiting till all His enemies are made His footstool (Luke 19:27; Heb. 10:12-13). That is what the angel is declaring to the Mary’s, Jesus Christ’s resurrection (vs. 6) and thus His victory over death and everything and anything that could keep us from God.

If you would like to receive the Lord Jesus Christ and truly celebrate Easter in the love and joy of the Lord. Simply pray a prayer of faith inviting Jesus Christ into your heart and life to be Lord and Savior. Simply pray this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe in You that you were crucified for my sins and You rose from the dead three days later so that I could have everlasting life with You. Therefore I want You to be My Lord and Savior. And I now ask You to come into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, in Jesus' Name amen.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Word Studies
Vs. 5 alarmed (STR 1568, GK 1701), page 240-241, under title heading thauma G.K. 2512
in the New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology (Abridged Edition) Verlyn D. Verbrugge, Editor

Mark 15:42-47 Jesus Christ's Burial

Mark 15:42-47
42 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

Devotional
Jesus having been crucified according to the Will of God in fulfillment of the Scriptures and His eternal redemption plans through them is now to be taken down from the cross out of the sight of men, blooded and broken and bearing the worst shame of all, humanities sins and punishment in His own body, so that we might all have God's salvation from sin and death when we believe. Thus it is only through Jesus Christ's death on the cross that we find our redemption and life everlasting (John 3:16); thus Jesus having born the wrath of God and suffered the reproach of sinful mankind must now be buried according to the Scriptures, so that rising again according to the Scriptures He might bring His everlasting life, by the Holy Spirit, into all who believe in Him.
Now the Preparation Day was on a Friday, the day preceding the Sabbath; Saturday, the day on which all Jewish religious festivals began (Nelson’s). And since it was the Preparation Day when Jesus died on the cross, the Jews not wanting the bodies to remain on the cross during the Sabbath, asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that the bodies might be taken away (John 19:31-37). The point of breaking their legs was that it would speed up their death’s, if they were not already dead, for they would no longer be able to lift themselves up and thus prevent the slow suffocation death that was crucifixion. With that then Pilate dispatches some soldiers who came and broke the legs of the first of the two criminals who were crucified with Jesus. And having done so they did the same to the other one as well, however when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead they did not break His legs. Instead one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear and immediately blood and water came out. The significance being, that in doing so, they fulfilled the Scriptures which state: “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” (See John 19:36-37; quoting from Exodus 12:26; Num. 9:12 and Psalm 34:20). Now with Jesus’ side being pierced and blood and water running out. Any notions of a Christ who was simply Spirit, and not fully Man, are fully placed to rest. For the Lord Jesus Christ literally died on the cross as a Man for our sins. That reality is crucial to the gospel’s fulfillment and essential to our being saved by faith in His Person (John 3:16).

This then brings us back chronologically to verse 43 in Mark’s gospel which states that there was a man named “Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.” Vs. 43
Now it is explicitly stated of Joseph, that he was a prominent council member, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God. Luke’s gospel also tells us that Joseph was a secret disciple of Jesus. And that he did not consent to their decision to crucify Him (Luke 23:50-51). And so the Scripture states that Joseph taking courage went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. The very fact that Joseph did not consent to Jesus death, and was now actively seeking Jesus' body, so that he might give Jesus an honorable burial, was Joseph’s stepping out from secret discipleship to open discipleship. For ultimately having faith in Jesus means you either move from “secret discipleship” or a “private faith” to an open and unabashed discipleship, or you don’t move with God at all. Since the Lord Jesus Christ requires not only exclusive loyalty to His Person; above all other relationships and family ties (Matt. 10:34-39), but also unashamed profession of His Person and His Words (Mark 8:38). There is then no place, time, or circumstance when one is to tuck their faith In Christ away. To believe in Jesus Christ, and thus be His disciple, is to have an open life that is built upon the Lord Jesus Christ’s Person by obeying His Words. People who say they can separate their Christian beliefs from their work, school or public sector responsibilities are deceiving themselves, and sadly others as well. Since what one does, says, and endorses (or does not endorse) publicly is to be what they are and believe privately. My Christian beliefs then are not to be restricted to Sunday morning; for they are mine every morning, noon and night. Whether in Christian fellowship or not. They do not change. For they define who I am and what I believe, all the time. Therefore wherever I go, they go with me. That is the salt and light I am to bring with me into every relationship, job, career, service, or even recreational activity. Jesus Christ’s Lordship, and thus by my words and deeds the declaration of His Kingdom having come. Now John’s gospel explains why Joseph was initially a secret disciple of Jesus; for fear of the Jews (John 19:38). But with his taking courage and approaching Pilate to take the body of Jesus and honor Him by giving Him a worthy burial, Joseph ceased to be. If you’ve come to believe in Jesus have you then likewise taken courage and stepped out in faith for Him in some way? Maybe got baptized, or confessed your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord to your family or publicly in some other way? For Spiritual growth always entails our overcoming our fears (or failures) and stepping out in faith with Him (Heb. 13:13; Rev. 3:20). Now along with Joseph also came Nicodemus; the Jewish teacher of the law who first came to Jesus at night. To whom Jesus explained the way into the Kingdom of heaven; (see John 3:1-21); Nicodemus bringing with him a mixture of myrrh and aloes; about 100 pounds worth, to prepare Jesus Body for burial (John 19:39-40). Two prominent men then, who overcoming their fears, were now going to publicly identify with Jesus Christ. And in doing so they were not only risking their life's ambitions as far as the Sanhedrin counsel went; they were risking their very status within the greater Jewish society (John 12:42-43); because they like others believed, yet unlike so many other "rulers" who believed their faith moved them to openly identify with Jesus Christ the Son of Man whom that very counsel conspired to kill and the Jews ultimately crucified.

Now the Apostle John alone mentioning this fact about Nicodemus being with Joseph maybe linked to his own connection with some of Israel’s upper echelon, since it appears he was known to the high priest (John 18:15-16); and thus he would’ve known of these men as well. Returning then to Marks gospel, it states when Joseph approached Pilate and asked him for the body of Jesus: “Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.” Vs. 44-47

Joseph then having received permission from Pilate to take Jesus’ body down from the cross went out and purchased some fine linen and he went to the cross to take Jesus’ body down (Mark 15:44-47). John’s gospel also relates to us that Nicodemus was with Joseph at this time and that they both took Jesus’ body down (John 19:38-40). Then they prepared it for burial and Joseph laid Jesus’ body in a tomb which Joseph owned in a garden near to where Jesus was crucified (Matt. 27:60). This tomb was newly hewed out of rock in which no one had ever laid (John 19:39-42). Marks gospel then states that it was Joseph who rolled a stone against the door of the tomb (Matt. 27:60; Mark 15:46). And then says, that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where Jesus was laid (Mark 15:47). These are the same two Mary’s who were mentioned in the previous passage of Mark we looked at (Mark 15:40). Their noting where Jesus was laid is important. Since later, when the Sabbath is past, it will be this Mary and Mary Magdalene who will come to anoint Jesus’ body on the third day. And they will be the first to realize Jesus is risen from the dead (Mark 16:1-2).

However between Jesus’ burial by Joseph, and the two Mary’s returning to find an empty tomb (Mark 16:3-8), is what took place on the day that followed the Day of Preparation. There in Matthew it states: “On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 “Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard. Matt. 27:62-66

The chief priests and Pharisees gathering to Pilate to speak with him about sealing the tomb and not Jesus' disciples just gives greater credence to Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead. Mary and Mary Magdalene being the first witnesses to the empty tomb, and Mary Magdalene being the first eye witness to Jesus Christ's resurrection (Mark 16:9). With Easter fast approaching the question is have you come to the place of faith in not only a crucified Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (by which our sins redemption is purchased through His shed blood) but of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. For it is Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead that makes everything Christian possible. For without it there would be no salvation from our sins (1 Cor. 15), or transforming Holy Spirit power at work in believers lives (Titus 3:4-7) and thus no eternal life (Rom. 10:9-10, 13). Nonetheless it is because of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead that everyone who has faith in Him having been crucified, and now risen from the dead, ascended and seated at the right hand of the Father until all His enemies are made His footstool, has everlasting hope, security and consolation. That is the Christian hope, not just a crucified Lord and Savior, by whom our person's redemption from sin and death has been purchased, but a risen One. For it is through Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead that we are given new and everlasting life (2 Cor. 5:17). For as all die in Adam's sin (the first man who sinned, and thus who brought sin and death into the human race, so all who believe In Christ are made alive, freed from sins power and delivered from death through Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead (1 Cor. 15:20-28). And having been brought to Spirit life by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person crucified and raised from the dead. We find the fulfillment of His Words in our own lives: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

For it's not that our bodies will not die; it's that even though some may die (before the Lord Jesus' return); yet because of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead so shall we who die will likewise rise from the dead to new and everlasting life with spiritual bodies bearing the likeness of our Lord and Savior (1 Cor. 15:42-49). And thus no longer bearing any traces of the fallen nature (1 Cor. 15:50-54). That is the Christian message of Hope that is so desperately needing reaffirmation. Since it is there that we find the power of God and the Scriptures at work greatly within us. So we might boldly say, and dare I add, sing with everlasting joy:

“O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?” 1 Cor. 15:55

No fear in death, because there is no judgment (and thus no hell) for those who believe in Jesus Christ (John 5:24). No fear in life, because Jesus Christ lives within us, thus we will never be separated from the Love, Plans or Purposes of God (Rom. 8:28-39). Therefore we greatly rejoice in all things. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say:

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?” Heb. 13:5-6

Dear friend there is no greater comfort or security in life then personally knowing God and knowing His Son the Lord Jesus Christ and experiencing the Power of His resurrection in ones own life. For seeing the life of Jesus Christ manifested through ones own life, is to experience life in all of it's fullness. For the Lord Jesus Christ imparts His Life into all who repent and believe. If all you have been doing and pursuing is leaving you unfulfilled and unsatisfied then please come home to the Lord who loves you. By a simple prayer of faith you to can have the indwelling and soul satisfying Presence of God within you (John 4:14). Simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe Your were crucified for my sins and rose from the dead so that You could save me from the judgment to come and bring Your life (the life giving Presence of God) by the Holy Spirit into mine. And thus give me eternal life, and bring life into me in all it's fullness. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be both my Lord and my Savior, in Your Precious Name Lord Jesus, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Additional Resources
Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible dictionary, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1995.

Mark 15:33-41 Jesus Dies on the Cross

Mark 15:33-41
33 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying,“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” 36 Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.” 37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, 41 who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Devotional
The backdrop of darkness over the whole land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour indicates the intense gloom that such an act on humanities part could do. For as God by His Nature brightens and enlightens the world so mankind in its fallen and degenerate state only darkens it. For when God’s Son was given to us we didn’t glorify and worship God for His incredible act of Kindness instead we crucified Him! And thus the whole land is darkened; turned to reflect what the reality of it is; bleak and dreary, without any signs of the life of God that it was to represent, and bring to the entire world. Such is an appropriate state for the land which has rejected and crucified Jesus Christ the Man of God whose sole purpose was to bring life; in every sense; and bring it more abundantly, to us all. For there is an inescapable darkness that pervades when the Light of the World is shut of men’s and women’s hearts and lives; how much more then when He is rejected and sentenced to die a horrific death at the hands of His own? And so there is darkness all over the land as the Light world hangs on their tree.

And thus there was darkness over the land until the ninth hour. Now verse thirty four says that at the ninth hour: Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Jesus’ cry is a direct quote from Psalm 22:1, the opening verse of a Messianic Psalm. A verse of unimaginable isolation and abandonment as Jesus in that moment experiences being forsaken by the Father. Yet understand this, Jesus Christ’s being forsaken in that moment by God the Father is so that we will not be. All that we have ever done as unbelievers; and ever will do now as believers that would cause God the Father to forsake us was endured in that moment by Jesus Christ alone. Innocent and Sinless Jesus was crucified and forsaken so that God could find just grounds not to forsake us all. For God is a God of not only love, but also of justice (Deut. 32:4). And His just and everlasting judgment against sin is death, either the death of the offender (Ezek. 18:20), or the death of a Substitute (Isaiah 53:10-12; Rom. 6:23). That theme is clearly portrayed over and over again in the Law of Moses. And is why Jesus Christ allowed Himself to be crucified (John 10:17-18; 6:51). So that He could be the Finial and Everlasting Sacrifice for all our sins, a Sacrifice that would satisfy the wrath of God forever, for it is the immeasurable Value of the Son of God that makes His sacrifice eternally imputable to every sinner who believes.

Now some of the onlookers when they heard Jesus’ Words said: “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” vs. 35 And with that one ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Jesus. Then they rebuked him saying: “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.” Vs. 36 Their desire to see a supernatural deliverance by God’s prophet Elijah only heightens the cruelty and wickedness of the moment as the Son of God is in His deepest anguish approaches death. And with their finial inhumane act Jesus cries out with a loud a voice and breathes His last. And with Jesus Christ’s death on the cross the Scripture says that the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom (vs. 38). The significance being that it was the veil that separated the Most Holy Place in the Temple from the rest of the Temple’s Sanctuary. With the Most Holy Place only being entered once a year on the Day of Atonement by the officiating high priest after great ritual and careful preparations were made for him to do so.

For in there dwelt the Ark of the Covenant with the mercy seat on top where the high priest made intercession for the people’s sins. But now with Jesus Christ’s death; the veil which so symbolized sinful humanities separation from God, being supernaturally torn in two from top to bottom by God, this indicated that from the greatest of religious men to the least of men. No more would anyone be separated from having free access to God the Father through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. For Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15), a covenant made not just with Israel; but with all of mankind (Heb. 8:6). Therefore you and I do not need to go to a priest, or make prayers through saints to have God hear us. We only need to approach Him through what He has done for us all through His Son. “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,” 1 Tim. 2:5-6 The tearing of the veil then is the end of the Law’s priesthood and the ushering in of the Lord Jesus Christ’s (Heb. 4:14-16).

Now the Scripture also says “So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” vs. 39 The centurion’s conviction of what had just occurred truly served as a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. But I’m unsure if it equated with his salvation? Matthew’s gospel mentions that those words were spoken out of fear when the earth was shaken and the veil torn, not conviction of faith (Matt. 27:54). Nonetheless if he came to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God then that would be enough (John 5:24).

Verse forty and forty one then mention that: “There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, 41 who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.” vs. 40-41 The mention of the women and none of the Apostle’s; though they were present (Luke 23:49) is interesting, since it will be the women who will first see and come to believe that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead (Luke 24:10-12). One finial note, the mention of Marry the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome is not referring to the mother of Jesus and His brother James who wrote the epistle James. It is a reference to another Marry who mothered three sons. Jesus’ mother Marry had four (Matt. 13:55-56; Mark 6:3). While the reference to this particular James as being Less is from a Greek word which means small, little, less; which could be indicating physical size, personal stature, or significance in the eyes of others. Nonetheless the mention of those two women who were not “major” players in Jesus’ Galilean ministry is again interesting. For God the Father always finds a way to honor those who honor His Son. For it’s not the stature of anyone in the eyes of men that approves them to God. It’s their faith in and love towards the Lord Jesus Christ. “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 “that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” John 5:22-23

Have you then come to honor the Son of God? In faith, love and obedience. It all starts with first receiving what Jesus Christ has done to make you honorable in the eyes of God. By seeing your need and turning in faith to Jesus Christ’s Person. God opens the door you. As the Lord Jesus Christ said: 9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:9-11
Why not then receive the One who came to die for you that you might have life in all it’s fullness, rather than settling for what you can make out of it. If you would like to receive God’s love, grace, life and peace for you and within you and begin your life fresh and new, just pray a simple prayer in faith acknowledging your sinfulness and need for the Lord Jesus Christ. Simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus Christ I believe that You were crucified for me so that I might receive remission of all my sins and have new and everlasting life the moment I believe in You. I also believe You rose from the dead so that I might have life in all its fullness; freed from sin, Satan and death so that I might live life joyful, peacefully and richly with You. And so in all gratitude I now gladly receive You into my heart and life, to be my Lord and Savior, both now and forever amen.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.