Day 74 - Deuteronomy 26-27 & Mark 15:1-26
And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. (Mark 15:14-15 ESV)
Not much is know about Barabbas other than that he was a murder who had participated in a Jewish uprising against Roman tyranny (Luke 23:19). Nothing is known of how he responded to being released instead of Jesus. We can only imagine his relief to find himself free... free from the just penalty for his crimes.
This is exactly what Jesus has done for you and me. He has taken our place and paid the price for our insurrection against God. Hanging on the cross, Christ cried out the words that should be on our lips eternally in hell: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34 ESV)
This is so hard to understand.
● How could God the Father love sinners like us so much that He would send His only Son to the cruel cross?
● How could Jesus love us so much that He would take the terror of hell on Himself so that all people of all time could go free?
It was just mentioned that all people could go free because of Jesus and His cross. All could, but few do. Jesus paid the price for the sins of all people. We who have been given the wonderful gift of faith, forgiveness and the promise of heaven have a job to do: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16 ESV)
Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You so much for taking my place and for freeing me from the punishment I deserve. Fill me with such thankfulness for this gift, and with such love for those who do not have it, that I live the rest of my life sharing Your great love with as many of them as I can. Amen.
Remember what Jesus has done for you, and share Him with others!
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 73 - Deuteronomy 23-25 & Mark 14:52-72
And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39 ESV)
The sad fact in the lives of so many people is that they do not know what the centurion at the foot of Jesus’ cross knew. Many are heading for eternal death in hell because they do know that Jesus is the Son of God and their Savior from sin.
Peter’s answer to Jesus’ question shows that he, too, knew the truth about Jesus.
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 16:15-17 ESV)
The Father was working on Mt. Calvary. He was working His miracle of salvation for all who, like the centurion, stand at the foot of the cross and behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Truly Jesus is the Son of God!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your miracle of salvation fulfilled by sending Your Son to Calvary’s cross. Thank You for the miracle of my Baptism when You gave me the gift of saving faith. Please help me to never forget how Jesus died for me. In His saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 72 - Deuteronomy 20-22 & Mark 14:26-50
And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:35-36 ESV)
He was in agony. His bitter suffering that would lead to His innocent and cruel death had begun. His sweat was like drops of blood. The emotional and spiritual burden was almost unbearable. So Jesus prayed for relief. There are several important truths revealed here.
● Jesus truly suffered for us!
● God the Father’s plan for the salvation of sinful mankind would be fulfilled.
● We learn how to pray, “Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
This is exactly what He teaches us in the Lord’s prayer: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
It goes against our selfish human nature to submit our will to someone other than ourselves. But look at how it turned out for Jesus,“who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
The Father’s will is your salvation. Follow Him. Obey Him. Trust Him. Love Him.
Lord Jesus, thank You for drinking the bitter cup of suffering for my sake. Please help me to see the wisdom of yielding to the Father’s will in my life as well. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 71 - Deuteronomy 17-19 & Mark 14:1-25
And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. (Mark 14:22-24 ESV)
What a precious gift the Lord instituted on the night when He was betrayed! Maundy Thursday is a blessed stop on our Lenten journey, for in, with and under simple bread and wine, the Lord feeds us sinners His very body and blood.
In my years of service as a pastor, I have observed how deeply God’s people are moved with the forgiveness and the strengthening of their faith that the Lord bestows in this meal.
♬ O Lord, we praise Thee, bless Thee, and adore Thee,
In thanksgiving bow before Thee.
Thou with Thy body and Thy blood didst nourish
Our weak souls that they may flourish.
O Lord, have mercy!
May Thy body, Lord, born of Mary,
That our sins and sorrows did carry,
And Thy blood for us plead
In all trial, fear, and need:
O Lord, have mercy!
(O Lord, We Praise Thee, The Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, #617)
Lord, may Your body and Your blood be for my soul the highest good. Amen.
“See” you at the Communion table this morning!
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 70 - Deuteronomy 14-16 & Mark 13:14-37
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come... Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” (Mark 13:32-37 ESV)
Throughout the years there have been many false prophets who have predicted Judgment Day. Biblically illiterate followers have sold their belongings and quit their jobs in anticipation of meeting the Lord on the date promised. How devastatingly disappointed they must have been when the date came and passed. If they would have read and believed what Jesus says about the end of the world, they would not have been duped.
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Knowing that the signs of the times seem to indicate that the end is coming soon, how should we occupy our remaining time on this earth? Luther answers: “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” What he is saying is that we should be about living out the vocations and lives God has given us. At the same time, he would surely also echo Jesus’ warning:
“Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.... And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
♬ The world is very evil,
The times are waxing late;
Be sober and keep vigil,
The Judge is at the gate;
The Judge that comes in mercy,
The Judge that comes with might,
To terminate the evil,
To diadem the right.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, Concordia Publishing House, 1941, #605)
Almighty God, may I be found prepared when Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead. To this end, mercifully continue to feed me with Your word of Law that condemns me and Your word of Gospel that reveals how Jesus paid for all of my sins on the cross. May I spend my remaining time on earth in Your service, sharing You with other sinners who need Your mercy just as desperately as I do. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow
(DON’T FORGET TO SET YOU CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR TONIGHT.)
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 69 - Deuteronomy 11-13 & Mark 13:1-13
“But be on your guard... And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Mark 13:9&13 ESV)
Jesus warns us, “But be on your guard.” He highlights some very negative things we Christians will face in the last days. He concludes with a statement that is the opposite of what we would like to hear: “And you will be hated by all for my name's sake.”
Most people would prefer to the words of an old Beatles hit. “All you need is love.”
The truth is, human love is not all we need. All we really need is Jesus. He is the only One everyone needs. He alone is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE. Jesus is the only One who died for sinners like us. May you be blessed as you take His encouragement to heart.
“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Dear Lord Jesus, help me to endure to the end no matter how hard it gets. Remind me that even if others may hate me, You will always love. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 68 - Deuteronomy 8-10 & Mark 12:28-44
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44 ESV)
The Christian business man had just been asked to make a contribution to a worthy Christian mission endeavor. He responded, “I’ll be glad to give my widow’s mite.” The person soliciting the gift responded, “Can you really afford to do that? She gave all she had.”
In recounting this story, Jesus is emphasizing the tremendous faith this widow had in giving God all she had. There was not a welfare system in that day. There was no insurance policy ready to meet her needs upon the death of her husband. By giving all she had to live on, she was showing her complete dependence on God.
By doing so, she put the rich people who gave large sums to shame. She gave sacrificially and faithfully from her heart. They gave sparingly from their wealth.
Now God is not asking us to donate all we have to worthy Christian endeavors. What He is asking is that we put Him first in everything we do. He is asking us to live sacrificially for Him since He died sacrificially for us.
In the words of Jesus:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
Heavenly Father, help me to trust in you as completely as the widow did. Teach me to put You first in my every aspect of my life. To this end, continually remind me of all that Jesus did in sacrificing Himself for my salvation. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
