Mark 15

Scripture

‭‭Mark‬ ‭15:31-32‬ ‭

“The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

Theelders, leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the entire high council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. They accused Jesus of various bogus crimes. They asked Pilate to take Jesus into custody and demanded that Jesus be crucified for his crimes. Although Pilate found that no crimes were committed on Jesus’ part, and soon realized that the leading priests had Jesus arrested out of jealousy, Pilate ultimately caved in to the crowds' persuasion, and had Jesus crucified.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

It wasn’t nails that held Jesus up on that cross, it was love.

From being flogged with a lead tipped whip, spit on, mocked, beaten, taunted, and ultimately crucified, Jesus had to endure so much even before reaching Calvary. Why though? He was in fact God incarnate. He could have easily done what the crowd was mocking him to do, which was to save himself and come down from the cross that day. But Jesus was on a mission. It was to fulfill God’s will, not his. The whole world’s sins would be placed on him that day, and Jesus was the perfect sacrifice to fulfill God’s requirements. The bloodshed of the lamb without any blemish. His blood covered this world’s sins. Jesus paid the debt he did not owe because we had a debt we could not pay. Jesus’ love for us kept him on that cross that day. He knew God’s desire for an eternal relationship with mankind. A relationship with a mankind that is so sinful, and a God who is so Holy. And the only way that was going to happen is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Now if only mankind would put their trust and faith in Jesus, that relationship would be restored.

 

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”-‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭

 

Life Application

 

Who said life was going to be easy?!

 

Life is filled with its ups and downs. Life is never easy. No one ever said that it would be. What makes us think we can go through life without any hardships and pains, when God did not even shield His one and only Son from them? But take heart! Put your faith and trust in Jesus. He is on our side! Jesus has overcome the world and even overcome death so that all who put their faith and trust in him can do the same!

 

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”-‭‭John‬ ‭16:33‬

 

-Moses Gaddi

 

Psalm_80

Scripture

 

Psalm ‭80:3

 

‭“Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

The author of this psalm, (Asaph), is pleading to God to show His glory, reveal His mighty hand, and rescue Israel from the constant sorrow and oppression they are in. As a matter of fact, the author uses this same exact verse three times in this chapter (verses 3, 7, and 19)! To me, it shows the seriousness of their situation. It shows the desperation and need of Israel to have a spiritual revival and awakening. One so great that it can turn the tides of their situation in a way that the people repent from their sinfulness towards God and never look back.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

There are two “A’s” needed for a revival to happen: Admission and Acceptance.

 

In order for Israel to make change in their situation, they needed these two “A’s” to happen in their lives. They needed to Admit their wrong doings, and they needed to Accept the fact that they cannot do it alone and they need God’s guidance and help. The fact that they turned their backs on God, and tried to do things their way is what caused them to be in the situation they were in. Now don’t get me wrong, they are still God’s children, His chosen ones, but there are still consequences for their sinful actions. We serve a God who is just, but He is also gracious and forgiving. Israel needs to turn back to God, rely on His strength, and not their own, and then God will reveal His presence and power in their lives.

 

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”-‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭

 

“I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.”

Habakkuk‬ ‭3:2‬

 

Life Application

 

Are you in need of a revival?..Seek God first!

 

Father God I pray for revival in this world. I pray for a spiritual awakening. I pray that this world sees its faults, admits their mistakes, and accepts your invitation in their lives. May You reveal Yourself in a way that changes their lives for the better Lord. May we all see that we can’t do it alone...We need YOU! May Your people stand in the gaps for their loved ones, neighbors, and friends. May we unite to pray for their salvation. May You bring the change this world so desperately needs. In Your Holy and precious Name I pray, Amen.

 

-Moses Gaddi

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Psalm_79

Scripture 

 

Psalm 79:8-9 & 13  Do not remember the iniquities of our forefathers against us;Let Your compassion come quickly to meet us, For we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake...So we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture will give thanks to You forever; To all generations we will tell of Your praise. Observation-What does it say?  “Asaph is featured prominently in Chronicles. He is described as the chief of the Levites appointed to minister before the ark of the Lord, and he and his brothers are appointed to sing the songs of thanksgiving to the Lord (1Chr 16:4-7)” (bibleodyssey.org).  This psalm dates to the time of Israel’s exile and the captivity of Judah by Babylon (near 600 BC).  It is a prayer for the forgiveness of Israel and for God’s judgement on their neighboring countries who have dealt harshly with them.  Israel suffered exile because of the continued sins over generations.  Asaph prays for God’s people to be brought near to His glory, so His great name will go forth for generations to come.   Understanding-What does it mean?  Not that long ago, I found a piece of my sports equipment broken and hiding in our backyard (it was so important to me that I don’t even remember what it was).  I had a sneaking suspicion that one of my boys had used it and accidentally broken it.  But, instead of coming clean about the issue, they tried to hide it and act as if it hadn’t happened.  While normally I could go a little off the deep end about these types of incidents, I was able to gather myself this time and ask what happened calmly.  A little to my surprise, it wasn’t a straight disaster when the item broke.  The boys had a minor problem and tried to fix it, which unfortunately made the problem irreparable.  Embarrassed, they put the item somewhere that they thought I wouldn’t see it.Sometimes, we act the same way with our sins.  God gives us directions on how to live, but then we try to shortcut those plans or act as though we can do it better.  In our pride, when we totally fail we try to hide it, usually with another bad decision.  In time, we have walked so far from what God intended for us and are paying the price for it.  These are the times when we need to come to God with humility and cry out, “Draw me back to you.”  We, like Paul, are often at odds with our own body.  “ I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.  For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members”(Romans 7:21-23).  In these times, we must learn to rely on the Holy Spirit. Life Application  “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32)  Through God, we are more than conquerors.  In him we will not only move past our sin, but we will also overcome death and be wrapped up in His glory for all time, “for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’”(Acts 17:28).  God help me to rely on this fully everyday and live as your child, not as a slave to sin.    
-Tyler Galloway