The Daily Dose

Your supernatural answer is coming

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.  Luke 1:13

Have you ever prayed for something or someone for a long time and didn’t see the results or the answer you had hoped for?  Have you ever gotten to a place where you gave up all hope for the circumstances to change?  Maybe for a friend or family member to step into a faith relationship, maybe for a financial situation or maybe it was for a child just like Zacharias in today’s reading. I know I have had these moments; I have even come to the end of my rope to the point where I didn’t even want to let hope in because I was afraid of disappointment again.  I want to tell you some good news today.  The answer is still on its way.

In today’s reading, Zacharias was visited in the temple by an angel.  The angel reminds him that he had been praying for a child and that now is the time because his prayer has been heard.  Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth were older now and beyond the years that this prayer could have been answered in the natural realm of things.  I’m pretty sure he had given up all hope and probably by this time had stopped praying this prayer because they were past the age of this prayer coming to pass within the laws of nature.  Even when the angel told Zacharias that his prayer was being answered, he still found it hard to believe and was searching for the solution on how it would all be possible.

That’s just it.  When we pray, often times we try to imagine how God will answer our pray and tell Him how He could possibly make it all happen.  Sometimes we even “pray” by telling Him the circumstances to twist and the people to maneuver to bring the answer into this world.  The truth is God rarely if ever does things the way we can imagine or dream up.  His ways are so much higher and better than our way, and His ways will always require us to take a step of faith.

Today I want to encourage you to keep hope alive in your prayer.  Believe that God is hearing your prayer and seeing your situation and He is preparing the perfect solution.  Don’t worry about how He will do it or give Him advise on how He can make it happen.  Instead, listen and ask what steps of faith you need to take to open the door for your answer to get through.  In Zacharias case, his words of doubt and discouragement had become the barrier that threatened his outcome.  But God had a plan to turn the situation around at just the right moment in time just like He does for you today.  Stir up your hope and believe that your miracle is coming and trust that God doesn’t need your advice on how to do it.  All He needs is for you to be a willing vessel to take the steps of obedience to open the doors.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 1:11-17

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 

12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 

14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 

15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 

16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 

17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

In the right place

According to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.  Luke 1:9

It was not a coincidence that Zacharias was burning incense at the time of his angelic visitation.  It was his assignment.  The priests were given various tasks to complete and evidently they where chosen by drawing lots.  Zacharias was in the right place at the right time where he was supposed to be and on the mission he was given in that timing.

God had strategically placed Zacharias in that position to complete his purpose for that time.  Even though the circumstances leading up to that day in the temple were not always perfect, Zacharias stayed in his place.  There were outside forces coming against him such as: Roman oppression, a barren wife and old age to name a few.  Zacharias remained faithful to his position despite the obstacles and that is where he found his purpose for that time.

What about you, are you at a point in your life where you feel the outside circumstances coming against you?  Have you been faithful in your serving the Lord and wondered why your prayers and dreams have not happened yet?  If so, stay steady and stay in your place.  He knows right where you are, and your position is important.  Even when things seem like they are not making a difference, you will be at the right place at the right time for the plans He has for you.

Today I want to encourage you to stay in your place.  It can be tempting sometime to follow after a better paying job or chase a pipe dream, but God has a plan for you right where you are faithfully serving now.  Trust that plan and keep consistent in your work for the Lord.  You may not have an angelic visit, but He will meet you right where you are at the perfect time in His plan.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 1:5-10

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 

6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 

7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 

9 According to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 

10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 

Who are your writing to?

It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus. Luke 1:3

You can write!  We all can. I have been a proponent of writing for the past several years.  I encourage people to journal to capture the things in your heart and in your thoughts.  Journaling is so simple, just write scriptures that you are meditating and want to remember or the impressions you get during your quiet time.  Write your story and the many wonderful ways you see God moving in your life.  Write a note or letter to someone you care about or randomly think of.  Write a text message to let someone know you are praying for them.  You can even write a social media post to tell the world there is hope.

Writing helps not only the people you are writing to, but it also is for you.  Writing things out reinforces them in your thoughts and also in your heart.  Writing also gives clarity and helps you organize ideas and plans.  Writing to others can inspire and motivate them to take a next step in life and writing your testimony can help you be ready to share it at any moment.

Today we are starting in the book of Luke.  Luke was a physician, so he is believed to be meticulous and highly accurate in his writing accounts.  He is also the only man not of the Hebrew people that wrote books in the bible, so his writing brings a different perspective than the other gospel writers.

He started out writing to Theophilus because he wanted to reinforce the things that were taught him to let Theophilus know they were true.  He said a lot of people have written things about Jesus and have been passed along from person to person, but Luke’s account was an eyewitness record from those who spent time with Jesus.  His encouragement was for Theophilus, but it is also for us.  Luke’s writing 2000 years ago is impacting us still today all these years later.

That brings me to my final point.  Your writing will live on after you.  You have the opportunity today to impact the generations of tomorrow.  So start writing today at least in a journal so that your words will continue to speak the love of God long after you have left this world.

Today I want to encourage you to write!  Write daily scriptures and thoughts.  Write letter and books to help others get up when they fall down.  Write notes and text to tell people you love them and they are doing a great work no matter how small it may seem.  Impact the world around you for years to come by writing what is on your heart today.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 1:1-4

1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 

2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 

3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 

4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

Continue His work

“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  These signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:15-18

Today I want to talk about the authority Jesus gave right before He ascended into heaven.  Most of us have heard these words and know them as the “great commission”. Jesus said in the book of Matthew that all authority had been given to Him, but then He turned around and delegated that authority to the disciples who were there with Him by telling them to go and take His message to the world.  However, here in Mark’s account of the “great commission” the authority is given to not only the disciples that were with Him that day but also to all those who believe.  

Notice that the verse for today says: Theses signs will follow the ones that believe and are saved.  This part of the great commission is usually not the focus, but I believe it is important none the less.  The signs that follow those who believe are for helping lost people to see and believe there is hope and to bring them to God’s saving love and grace.  These signs are: The power to cast out demons. The gift to speak with a new heavenly language to connect with His Spirit and the ability to lay hands on the sick so they recover.  It does not say there will be instant healing, but that could happen.  He told them when we lay hands on the sick they will get better in time.

This is very interesting to me, because I thought that the signs that Jesus did had passed away with His disciples.  But this passage says these signs would follow all those who believe.  I am so thankful that Jesus wants His work to continue here on earth, which is one of the reasons He taught us to pray “God’s will be done on earth just like it is in heaven”. (Matt.6:10) No sickness, no disease, no demons but full of God’s love language.

Today I encourage you to take time to read about some of the work Jesus did and then ask Him for opportunities to continue that work.  Become a true New Testament believer by continuing the works of Jesus.  Follow the example He gave us and be bold about praying with others who are suffering at the hand of the enemy.  Believe that when you were saved and then baptized that you were given authority to impact the world around you with His signs and wonder.  You are not the one doing the signs, but you can be the conduit through which He flows.  Ask Him to move through your hands and feet today and be the answer that someone is praying for.

Today’s scripture reading:  Mark 16:12-20

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.

The heavy lifting

And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” Mark 16:3

How many times can you remember in life when you were worried or concerned about how something was going to work out, but when you got to that moment in time you found that it was already taken care of and there was no need to worry at all.  Yet still when the next time came around, you worried again about how you would do something only to find that God had already taken care of it for you again.  

In today’s key verse, the women were on their way to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus.  They began to worry how they were going to get to Jesus’ body because a large stone had been placed in front of the tomb, but when they got there an angel had already moved the stone and they were no longer worried about that.  In fact, I don’t think they ever thought about it again because everything was completely different than they expected.  

These ladies had done their part. They got up early. They went to the tomb.  They came with everything they needed to anoint Jesus’ body. They had made all the preparations that they could, but the one thing they couldn’t do was move the stone.  That was God’s part.  God does all the heavy lifting.

In our daily struggles, are we putting everything on God, or are we doing the part within our ability and watching for God to meet us at the door that needs open or to make a path in the wilderness?  He won’t do it all, but He will meet you at the point that you cannot go any further. However, you must start moving and doing your part before you will ever see the wonders He has prepared for you to walk in.

Today I want to encourage you to trust in God’s faithfulness.  Commit whatever you are up against and moving toward to God.  Ask Him to meet you at the precise moment that you are unable to move forward anymore.  Know that whatever you are facing and whatever is coming up next in your life, He is already there and has rolled every stone away, opened every door and made a way through every wilderness.  He holds you and He holds the future!!

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 16:1-11

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.

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.

Laid to Rest

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. Mark 15:46

The torture was over, and Jesus was finally laid to rest.  How peaceful this scene must have been after such an excruciating day before.  He had completed His work, fulfilled the law and gave His life as a ransom for all.  Finally, He could rest from all His trouble.  He faced and went through the most gruesome and horrific death of all time.  Not only did He suffer at the hands of man, but God’s wrath for sin was poured out on Him.  He defeated the enemy.

We don’t know for sure what happened while His body laid in the tomb.  Many believe He descended to the enemy’s domain and stripped him of the keys of death and any power he had stolen from God’s created people.  Ephesians 4:7-9 tells us the He descended into the lower parts of the earth to set the captives free.  We also read in other passages that when He raised from the dead, many were raised up with Him. (See Matthew 17:52-53)

To His disciples, this was a very sad time.  They thought that their Lord had been killed and that they would never see Him again until they died. But for Jesus, this was just the next step in the plan.  It was a trick on the enemy so God could get His most precious people back.  Satan thought that he had successfully captured, tortured and killed the One who was sent to defeat Him, but he was so wrong.

Whatever you are facing today, know that it’s not over.  Even the things in your life that look like they have died, God can breathe new life into.  Whether it is a family relationship, your marriage or bank account, there is hope by putting it in the hands of Jesus.  Just as His body lay dead for 3 day and then was resurrected, God can resurrect your circumstances too.  He has the grace you need for whatever you are up against.  Don’t let the enemy steal back what Jesus died to get for you.  Turn your situation over today and God will restore what belongs to you.

Today I want to encourage you to be so thankful for all the Jesus died to give you!  Yes, the salvation that you desperately needed to rescue you from eternal separation and torment, but also the gift of the Holy Spirit living in you and guiding your life.  All this is possible because of His sacrifice.  Honor Him today for sticking to the plan and completing that part to make us His own.  Then tell that good news to others.  Share the message of His love everywhere you go.  It is the only thing that matters in this life.  Be His witness and lead other captives to the freedom He died to get them.

Today’s scripture reading: 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.

Ministering is serving

That also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem. Mark 15:41

Serving others is something we all are called to do to take care of one another.  We are to serve those we love and those we don’t know.  We are to serve the hurting and broken and those that are rich in material things.  We are called to be servants just as Jesus was the servant of all.  He said: I did not come to be served but to serve others and give My life as a ransom for many. (Matt. 20:28) When Jesus was dying on the cross, it was His greatest act of serving.  He was giving His life to rescue ours.

Today’s key verse is about women who “ministered” to Jesus.  How does that happen?  Did He really need minister too?  When He was in the wilderness fasting, angels came and ministered to Him to strengthen Him in His weakened state.  Wasn’t that all He needed?

These ladies who “ministered” were actually serving Jesus and His team.  They opened up their homes when He was in town, they prepared meals and hospitality and probably even a place to rest and relax.  These women were serving Him and that ministered and refreshed Him!  When you minister to others, you are serving them. 

This is very exciting to me because I can see in my own life many opportunities to minister to others.  My perception of ministering has always been about telling others the message of the gospel.  While that is true, ministering is actually so much more.  Luke 8:3 says that Joanna, Susanna and many others ministered to Jesus by giving funds into His ministry.  Mark 1:31 talks about Peter’s mother-in-law ministering by preparing food after she was raised up from her sick bed.  Acts 13:2 talks about the disciples ministering to the Lord with prayer and fasting.  And many more examples available in the scripture.  In serving others, we are actually ministering to our Father in heaven.

This is great news because we can all be ministers.  By serving and caring for others in their needs and struggles, we can actually minister to them to encourage and lift them up.  It doesn’t have to be hard, and it doesn’t have to elaborate, it only needs to be love from your heart displayed in acts of kindness. That’s when you will be ministering to God!!

Today I want to encourage you to minister to other by serving them.  Don’t always be looking out for number one.  Put away from you the “me” mentality and take a step of faith by loving others more than you love yourself.  God will take care of your needs and you will experience pure joy.  Be a minister to your Lord today by becoming the servant of all.

Today’s scripture reading: 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.

God Agenda

Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him. Mark 15:32

In today’s portion of scripture, there are many people who are all on their own agenda.  It starts our with Simon of Cyrene, who was just passing by when all the commotion of Jesus’ crucifixion was going on.  He was compelled to pick up Jesus’ cross and carry it for Jesus.  That was not what Simon was there to do, but he did the work God had planned for him that day.

Then there were roman soldiers. They were there to crucify Jesus and the thieves with Him.  It was obvious that they were looking out for themselves because they were gambling for their own advantage. They were there for their jobs, but they didn’t know they were doing God’s work.

The thieves got there because of what their focus was, to steal from others for their on benefit and the bystanders where there because they wanted to condemn Him.  They looked at Him with shame, probably not even knowing what His crime was.

Then there were the priest, who jeered and mocked Him.  Trying to spur Him to action, but probably felt pretty safe that He would hang where He was.  He hadn’t put up a fight up to this point, still they goaded Him to come down from the cross and save Himself. They had no idea they were instrumental in fulfilling the plan of God.

They were all brought together to complete Jesus’ mission and accomplish the Father’s purpose.  God was working all those things and all those people together for something good and amazing for those who love Him and are called to His purpose. Jesus was not there for His benefit. His heart was to please His Father and to complete down to the last detail what He was sent to do. He had no concern for His own safety and well-being.  He said “Father, forgive them.  They don’t even know what they are doing.  He surrendered His will and even saved one of the thieves that hung next to Him and when the priests incited Him that day, all He could knew was that He was taking care of His Father’s business.

It’s the same with us today.  For the most part people all over the world have one priority, that is pleasing themselves.  Generally speaking, we all live each day seemingly on our own agenda, but have no doubt, God’s plan is happening. Even with the evils being done in the world today, God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him.  There was no victory for the priest the day Jesus died. This glory was the Father’s in making a way to rescue the people that were lost to His enemy.

Today I want to encourage you to surrender your plans and schedule to your Father in heaven that loves you.  Get on board with the plan and purpose He has for your life. Don’t leave it up to chance and circumstance that you will be at the right place at the right time. Submit and follow His divine direction so that you are actively in the place of your purpose. Don’t miss out on the supernatural joy of working together with your heavenly Father. His plan will be accomplished with or without you, but wouldn’t you like to share in the part He has designed you to achieve? That is where your joy will be and that is where your success comes from.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 15:21-32

21 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. 

22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 

23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. 

24 And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.

25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 

26 And the inscription of His accusation was written above:

27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. 

28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”

29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 

30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”

31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 

32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

Is there good pride?

Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. Mark 15:16

Have you ever heard anyone talking about how proud they were?  Maybe it was proud of a certain accomplishment or proud of their children or loved one?  What about taking pride in your work and a job well done?  How about being proud to be an American?  These phrases sound like they could be a good thing.  Like there is a good kind of pride?  However, there is no scripture that indicates that pride can be good.  Every reference to pride in the Bible is in direct contrast to who God is and everything He stands for.

The reason is because pride puts the focus on yourself rather than others.  Like I did some great thing on my own or my child is awesome because they are mine.  Even when Jesus was baptized, God said “This is my beloved Son that I am well pleased with.”  He didn’t say “This is my Son that I am so proud of.” 

Pride is what got Satan thrown out of heaven and pride is what got Adam and Eve banished from the garden.  There is no good pride and in fact Proverbs 16:5 says: Every proud heart is an abomination to the LORD, and none will go unpunished! Notice it says every/all not some or many.

In today’s reading, Jesus was taken by the guards to be beaten, mocked and humiliated.  The key verse struck me because I never noticed that they called together all the guards.  I don’t know if this was the normal practice or if they thought Jesus was going to try to escape, but they all came together to do this gruesome job.

This was Jesus ultimate example of humility.  Never once did an ounce of pride enter in.  He didn’t try to fight or stand up for Himself. He didn’t call on Angels and He didn’t show the power of God that was behind Him.  Of course, we know it was because this was His assignment, but it was also because He even loved those wretched people that were tormenting Him.

Here’s the kicker!  This process pleased God but it did not make Him proud.  Isaiah 53:10 says: Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.  In this passage it looks like Jesus is being humiliated, but Philippians 2:8 says that He humbled Himself to be obedient to the death on the cross.  The bottom line is that humility showed His love for the world.

What about you and me?  Are we willing to show our love for others by being gracious and humble? Or is our main objective to be right and first in all things?  Let’s take a step of faith to humble ourselves to serve and love on the people around us and put the atrocity of pride far away.

Today I want to encourage you to examine your heart and life for where you may have fallen into pride.  Pride can be identified in the places that you feel you are better than others and look down on those who are less fortunate.  Pride takes on many forms, so ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you and then be honest with yourself when He does and get rid of it.  Begin today to love others even in their messes and share with them even in their sin.  Follow the example of Jesus and become obedient to the plan for your life to insure that one day you will hear:  This is my beloved child in whom I am well please!  It is better to humble yourself than to be humiliated.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 15:16-20

16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. 

17 And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, 

18 and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 

19 Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. 

20 And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

No Fault

Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.” John 19:4

After Jesus was arrested and scrutinized by the priests, the elders and the scribes, they took Him to the Roman governor of that region, Pontius Pilate.  This scene reminds me of what it might look like in heaven one day, but there is one big difference.  There will be no beating, scourging or crucifixion.

The scene may play out something like this:  I will be taken up to heaven and stand before my Lord Jesus at the throne of God.  He will stand between me and the judgement.  There will be an accuser to try to condemn me and take me away from my Savior for all eternity, by my heavenly Father will say: I find no fault in her.  The price for my life has already been paid!  There was a verdict, a brutal beating and death penalty paid for all my transgressions.  So, when I stand at the judgement seat, God will look at the spotless lamb and see that I have been made whole and clean from the stains of sin by His blood that was poured out for me.

When Jesus took that sentence condemning Him to death, it was my sentence.  He didn’t have to stand condemned; He didn’t have to take the beating and He didn’t have to die on a cross.  He could have stopped it at any one of those moments, but He took it for me.  He kept me in mind.  He thought: “If I don’t do this for Lynette, she will have to bear this shame, humiliation and pain.  I love her too much to let her suffer so I must bare the whole penalty!”

He thought that about you too!  In fact, He had all people in mind as He took on the punishment for all people for all time.  He paid the price for every sin, for every person that sinned, that’s all of us.

If you have never received His salvation through the payment He made in your place, it is not to late.  As long as there is breath in your lungs, you can surrender your life to Him and exchange it for the sacrifice of His love and eternal purpose.  He wants all people to receive the gift of living for all eternity with Him in that glorious, beautiful place and have a home there with Him forever.

Today I want to encourage you to be so thankful that Jesus stayed in His place to take on your sin.  Remember what HE went through, now you do not have to.  He took your place and mine so we can live forever with Him in His glorious kingdom.  If you have never receive His gift of grace and forgiveness, don’t wait another minute.  Pray this prayer from your heart and receive Him into your life right now.

Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 15:1-15

1 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. 

2 Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”

3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. 

4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” 

5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

6 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. 

7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 

8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. 

9 But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 

10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. 

12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”

14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”

15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.