GOD Morning! March 23 Boot Camp Day 17 / SMH!

GOD Morning!  March 23

Boot Camp Day 17

SMH!

Mark 15:26-47  AMP

²⁶ The inscription of the accusation against Him had been written [above Him]: “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

²⁷ They crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. ²⁸ [And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was counted with the transgressors.”] ²⁹ Those who were passing by were insulting Him with abusive and insolent language, wagging their heads [as a sign of contempt], and saying, “Ha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in [only] three days, ³⁰ save Yourself by coming down from the cross!” ³¹ In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were ridiculing and mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others [from death]; He cannot save Himself! ³² Let the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe and trust [in Him]!” Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.

³³ When the sixth hour (noon) came, darkness covered the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.). ³⁴ And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” ³⁵ Some of the bystanders heard Him and said, “Look! He is calling for Elijah!” ³⁶ Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see whether Elijah is coming to take Him down.” ³⁷ But Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed out His last [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan]. ³⁸ And the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ³⁹ When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He breathed His last [being fully in control], he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

⁴⁰ Now some women also were watching from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome. ⁴¹ When Jesus was in Galilee, they used to accompany him and minister to Him; and there were also many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split” Matt. 27:51

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.”  Hebrews 10:19–22

In the inner court of the temple in Jerusalem, in the Holy of Holies, was the Ark of the Covenant. That was where the high priest would go once a year to offer atonement for the sins of the people. A veil, a very thick, woven curtain, separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple.

When Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, that heavy curtain was torn from top to bottom. It was not ripped from bottom to top, as though a man were ripping it. Instead, it was ripped from top to bottom, because God was ripping it.

I am no longer separated by a thick heavy curtain from the presence of the Almighty God!

Jesus paid it ALL!

I was laying my fears before God yesterday morning. I was wondering if I was willing to go through what Jesus went through for the salvation of my friends who don’t know Jesus. Absolutely not. That’s terrible for me to say. But then I thought of Jesus’ prayer when He was in the garden.

“Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, “My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do You want?”   Matthew 26:39  MSG

So no. I don’t want to give my body to be beaten and crucified. I would hope that God would save me from being spit on, cursed at, mocked, beaten to a bloody pulp, carrying a heavy cross up a hill, and then being crucified on it.

I keep remembering that Jesus could have jumped off of the cross and put a halt to everything! But He willingly chose to suffer.

I think of the disciples. According to traditions and the Bible, eight of the Apostles died as Martyrs.  At least two of the Apostles, Peter and Andrew were crucified.

How far am I willing to go for my friends? Not far enough.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

“God, it’s interesting that You and I had this exact conversation yesterday morning. And now You are leading me to this scripture! I was saying how I basically was not willing to go through what You went through. I think of Flo Shaw. She was beaten to a bloody pulp by a man who was trying to rape her. You saved her out of that. I don’t understand why you didn’t just deliver her instantly! But I know what I have to do next. I have to moan and groan. I know that I have to lay my life down before You. I have to say as You said, Please take this cup from me but nevertheless, Your will be done! I give my no’s to You, O God. That’s all I can say. Please take my no’s. And hear my humble plea. I long to be like you but not really I guess!  SMH. Your unwilling daughter, Vicki”