Mark 15:1-32 The Horror Of It

Mark 15:1-32 NIV
Words cannot adequately describe the horror of how the world turned against God the Son the day that Christ was crucified.

He had been deserted by his friends; the church turned against him; the people wanted him crucified; the soldiers and even the criminals hanging with him mocked him. "The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews." (vs 26)

What do you want done with this one whom you call your king, Pilate had asked. Crucify him, the people replied. Indeed he was; he is, a King. He is our King. What would we do with this one we call our King? Often, we, as they did the day of his crucifixion, continue to turn our backs on him. There are days when it is as though we would rather have him hanging on a cross than interfering in our worldly lives. Our king, our gods, are of this world and Jesus is just in the way. Crucify him! Oh, I know you probably don't think in those terms. But, how often do we act as though he is not our King. After all, aren't we suppose to honor our King in all that we say and think and do?

Crucify Him, the people shouted. What would we say (what do we say) when he calls us to follow Him today? Crucify him? Words cannot adequately describe the horror of how the world (even His followers) have turned against God the Son; the Son of God, this day. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 8 - Wounded Souls

For a few moments, I thought I read the wrong lesson a couple of days ago when I wrote on chapter six. Chapter eight repeats the same ideas - lots of trouble for those who have fallen away and rejected the word of the LORD. There are lots of troubles for those who declare that all is well, declaring peace; when there is no peace; when are so many problems to be addressed.

"They dress the wound of my people
    as though it were not serious.
“Peace, peace,” they say,
    when there is no peace.
Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?
    No, they have no shame at all;
    they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
    they will be brought down when they are punished,
       says the Lord." (Jer 8:11-12 NIV)

It reminds me so much of many of our leaders today. They like to come up with new laws on top of old laws. They try to "fix" things and they end up making things even worse. They can't fix things; because, they simply do not know the word of the LORD and they're trying to fix stuff that they have no real knowledge of. They try to fix stuff for the people when they have no heart for the people. Their hearts appear to be only for themselves. Every now and then, I will send a letter to a congressman or senator imploring them to think about what they are doing regarding specific legislation. The usual response is a letter written by someone else from their offices which really has nothing to do with my initial inquiry or comments. It appears to me that they really do not understand what it's like in the world outside of politics. Consequently, there is a lot of talk about how well things are going - that there is peace - when there is no peace. They have disassociated themselves from the problems and the very real pain of the people. Unlike the LORD, who, through Jeremiah, relates to the wounds of His people.

"Since my people are crushed, I am crushed;
    I mourn, and horror grips me.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
    Is there no physician there?
Why then is there no healing
    for the wound of my people?" (Jer 8:21-22)

Turn to the LORD, heed His Word, who is Jesus the Christ. He is the balm in Gilead that can heal the wounded souls of the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J