Do You Believe❓🎚️

Like I said the rubber is about to meet the road.  

Mark 16:14 (KJV) Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. After Mary Magdalene had told the disciples they didn’t believe her. Then comes these two that Jesus Himself met on the road as they traveled and Jesus revealed Himself to them. Well they didn’t believe them either. Well now these disciples are sitting at the table eating when all of a sudden Jesus walks in. I’m sure they were not expecting Him. What is the first thing Jesus said? “upbraided them” what does that mean??? Well lets just say they were not getting a pat on their faithfulness. Sometimes we all have to be scolded for our actions. What happened afterwards is the lesson we should learn.  Mark 16:15 (KJV) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Now read what Jesus tells these men. 

Mark 16:16 (KJV) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Jesus tells these men whom He had just scolded for unbelief to go preach the Gospel. Then He says those that believe are to be baptized and those who don’t believe shall be damned.  Have you ever had someone see something in you that no one else saw or though you could do? I remember years ago I was with my Pastor Ray Hill; it was just me and him. I don’t remember what we were doing but I do remember the Place and I do remember what he said to me that day which changed my unbelief about myself. May Pastor stopped what he was doing, looked me in the eyes and said “Wayne you are a good preacher but you are looking for acclamation from those you preach to for confirmation of what you preach. Stop that and preach, if no one ever gives you a confirmation.” I took his advice and not long afterward First Baptist of Youth called me to be their Pastor where I Pastored for 22 wonderful years. Jesus never said anything else to those men about their unbelief. Instead Jesus told them to go Preach about what they do believe.  

Unbelievable 🫷🙄

Have you ever had good news and couldn't wait to tell someone else what you knew? Well these women have not only good news but great news. They were told to tell the disciples about what they knew. Mark 16:7 (KJV) But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. It looked as if they couldn’t get there fast enough to tell what they knew to the disciples. But looks can be deceiving. Mark 16:8 (KJV) And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. They went out quickly. These women fled from the sepulcher, all looks well if you stop reading there. But if you continue to read we get a clearer picture of what fear, trembling and being amazed can do. Now these women ran and what they were told to do they didn’t do. No they didn’t go tell Jesus’s disciples and Peter that Jesus is going to Galilee and there you shall see Him. But because of the trembling and being amazed as well as being afraid they didn’t tell anyone what they had seen. That should be no surprise to us. When is the last time someone told you that Jesus is alive? When is the last time you have?  But Mary Magdalene stayed behind and because she did her life would never be the same.  Mark 16:9 (KJV) Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.                                                                Mark 16:10 (KJV)  And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.                                                Mark 16:11 (KJV)  And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. 

When Mary found the disciples they were weeping. When she told them of the good news they didn’t believe her. Oh there is so much that floods my mind as I read these verses. Like when I asked Jesus into my heart many felt as if it was something that would wear off in a month or so. Oh no 50 years later I know more about Jesus than I could have ever imagined. I have told 1000’s about Jesus yet many believed not. It looks to me that even though we are taught we don’t get it until we experience what we have been taught. Then we read that Jesus appeared to two as they walked. We know this to be the two walking home the day of the resurrection and later that day Jesus revealed Himself to them and these two ran and told the disciples and they didn’t believe them either. Mark 16:12 (KJV) After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. Mark 16:13 (KJV)  And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. This is unbelievable. One would think, have these men listened at all to the Lord Jesus as He taught them? Just wait, the Rubber is about to meet the road.

Getting Out of Your Safety Zone 🫣

These women have arrived at the tomb where the body of Jesus had been placed. The stone was rolled away so they entered. I told you these were brave and strong women. But even brave people get afraid. Mark 16:4 (KJV) And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

Mark 16:5 (KJV) And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. Let’s suppose you were going by the local funeral home in your town and you noticed the front door open and no cars in the parking lot. So you stop and go in. You had been there earlier during the day, a good friend of yours had passed away. There isn’t much light and as you walk in you go to the viewing room where your friend was at. As you look you notice he is no longer in the casket and there sits another person in white clothing telling you not to be afraid. Question? Would you be frightened? Many are afraid of those who have departed this life. Years ago my wife’s grandad had passed away and there were a bunch of us at the funeral home. My brother n law came into the viewing room drinking a coke. I asked him where he had gotten that because I wanted one. He said come on it will be easier for me to take you there than tell you. So off a few of us went. We entered this room that was dark and we all walked through it all was fine until the door going out lit the room and we saw it was a showroom, caskets everywhere. Those that were behind me were about halfway through the showroom and all of a sudden they decided they didn’t want cokes anymore and they turned around and quickly left. What happen they got frightened 😱

Well these women were afraid and all of a sudden these women heard these words  

Mark 16:6 (KJV) And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. Jesus isn’t here He is Risen! But He knew you ladies were coming and He left you a message to go and tell His disciples.  

Mark 16:7 (KJV) But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Look what happened.  Mark 16:8 (KJV) And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. They couldn’t get out of there fast enough, we are told that they “fled from the sepulchre” They were so afraid that they trembled but they that trembled were also amazed. They heard words from a young man in long white garments sitting inside the tomb, who wouldn’t  be afraid? Sometimes there will be uncomfortable feelings. We call it getting out of your safety zone. Now you can do two things: let your fear cause you to run back to your safety zone or you can let your fear teach you something you could have never experienced without it. Those women who were afraid and trembling and ran were only amazed they didn’t get to experience what Mary Magdalene did. Mary Magdalene stayed behind, sure she was afraid; she too may have been trembling and without doubt she too was amazed. Notice how Mary was described.  

Mark 16:9 (KJV) Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. Sometimes I think God used our past experiments and makes us stronger in our walk with Him. Mary Magdalene “out of whom he had cast seven devils” Without doubt Mary had seen and been involved in some eye opening things in the past. But today she goes down in History as being the first to see our risen Lord. That is what happens to those who get out of their safety zone. 

Brave Men,🤠 Really! 🙄

 Mark 15:40 (KJV) There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; Another look at this “afar off” There were some women that also were looking at afar off distance too. But we do not read of them associating themselves with any that were for the crucifixion of Jesus. Neither do we read later of these women going out and weeping for their actions. Many times women are more courteous than men. Maybe you think not; we’ll just mistreat one of their children and you’ll see a side of that mother you have never seen, and it won’t be good. My wife, the mother of our three children, is a very kind and loving woman. I have seen more than once her kindness turning into anger because someone miss treated one of her children. Our children are all grown and have children of their own but I assure you that even today if they were mistreated that same action would reappear. Maybe these women couldn’t get any closer. But here’s my thinking: they didn’t want to get any closer. Because they didn’t want to see how bad the man they loved was mutilated. We as humans can be so cruel. We can see that as we read of what they did to Jesus, it was bad and it was awful and unbelievable. Another reason is that three days later, early in the morning afterJesus crucifixion. We read of  these women who stood afar off now coming to anoint Jesus with sweet spices. Mark 16:1 (KJV) And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.These women set out on a mission with great faith. Why? Because their purpose was to anoint the body of Jesus not knowing how they were going to get to the body. There was a large stone covering the entrance way. But they went on anyway and as they traveled they asked this question. 

Mark 16:3 (KJV) And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? The problem ahead didn’t slow them down; they went on anyway and we read no more about them talking about the problem ahead. These were strong women; how many women do you know of that would head off to the cemetery in the dark to anoint a dead body? When they got there the stone was rolled away. You know many times we worry about things we never have to deal with at all. Well would you look, this problem solved! 

Mark 16:4 (KJV) And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. There stood Peter and the other disciples. Oh no they were not there at all, not one of those brave men who said they would die for Jesus. No, not one! You know there’s very few that will even go to a cemetery at night. My dad has been in heaven for 37 years. His favorite times of the year were Thanksgiving and Christmas. He passed away two days after Christmas isn’t God good. On the first Thanksgiving after his death that night at my moms house I went out in the front yard and began to think about my dad. As I stood there thinking and remembering all by myself I decided I would go to the cemetery where he was buried. I jumped in the car and didn’t tell anyone where I was going and drove about 5 miles to the cemetery. Now I had to wait to get into the cemetery because there was a long line of other people doing the same thing. Are you kidding! I was the only person there, people just don’t go to the cemetery at night. You know what? No one even knew I had left and I never told anyone. It was just one of those  private moments and I wanted to be as close to my dad as possible. I know he wasn’t there but neither was Jesus when these women went. Take this the way you like but the next time we read the words afar off it’s in the book of Luke and it isn’t good.

Luke 16:23 (KJV) And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Keep standing afar off and  you won’t have to worry about a cemetery in the dark. You'll be with the dead in the dark. Jesus says “come unto me” Matthew 11:28 (KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Jesus didn’t say keep your distance. 

Leaving The Warmth Of The Fire 🔥

Mark 14:54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

The man in the graveyard  saw help afar off and ran toward it. While  Peter on the other hand followed afar off from the help he needed. Not only did Peter followed afar off he got too close to those he shouldn’t have. This reminds me of those who were brought up in a good home, taught the right things but when they left home they got too close to what they shouldn’t have.  I did. I left home when I was 18. I left the protection of a loving mom and dad. I had joined the U.S. Air Force where I was  taught things that have helped me all my life. But I also learned some things that caused me great trouble. In other words I warmed myself up too close to the fire. I was following far off from where I should have been and what I had been taught. Peter denies Christ around that fire where he should have never been.

Mark 14:67 (KJV) And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

Mark 14:68 (KJV) But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. Two more times this will happen before Peter comes to the point that he remembered what he had been taught and departs. Many never leave the warmth of the enemy's fire 🔥.

So here tonight in the palace by the fire warming themselves were those who were in agreement of crucifying our Lord Jesus Christ. 

What is the lesson? Birds of a feather flock together and all feathers aren’t the same size. But nonetheless they are all together. Peter had to leave the warmth of the fire 🔥 before he could change. So will you and I if there’s ever going to be a real change in our lives. 

The Graveyard 🪦

Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; As I read that verse the little phrase caught my attention “afar off” I looked to see how many times it was mentioned in the Book of Mark. The first time is in Mark 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, If you remember, this was the man that lived in the graveyard. This was the man no one would have anything to do with. This was the man that many had tried to help.This was the man that no one could tame. This was the man that could be heard crying from the graveyard  night and day. This was the man that was cutting himself and this was the man that  others were afraid of. This is the story of many today that have gotten caught up in some type of life destroying sin whether it be Alcohol, drug, sex, gambling, and many other devastating sins. No matter what you want to call it you yourself can identify with this man in the graveyard. The future looks grim, no hope in sight, you feel all alone. You may not be crying on the outside but inwardly the tears are coming like a strong rain shower. Your friends, oh they left long ago. Never feel there’s no hope? that is a trap you must stay away from. When one gets serious about the graveyard they find themselves in, they will find someone to help them. Yesterday I spent a few hours with a man who a few years ago was in the graveyard of his addiction. But today he is working and running a small business. He’s not one in a million. Oh no he was one who was far off and got serious and left the graveyard. In the graveyard there are few travelers that can help you. 

The Race Is On 🏃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Jesus, you can’t get away from the name. Without doubt you will hear that name today. It may not be in a good way that you hear the name Jesus but you will most likely hear that name today. I emphasize the personal pronoun “You” because “you” have already read the name Jesus. But did you know in the last 40 years, over 1 billion people have died who have never heard of Jesus, and around 30 million people this year will perish without hearing the name Jesus. Why did I write all of that information? Because on that day when Jesus gave up the ghosh the centurion said.

Mark 15:39 (KJV) And when the centurion, which stood over against him,(Jesus) saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said,Truly this man was the Son of God.  

 Look what this centurion saw and heard before he says “Truly this man was the Son of God” This centurion realized and was recorded as being the first to make the statement that Jesus was the Son of God after His death. So who was the first to see Jesus after His resurrection? This may surprise you but it was Mary Magdalene. Why is that so interesting? Remember the main reason that Jesus Christ came into this world! Luke 19:10 (KJV) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Mary Magdalene was lost, but now she knows who Jesus really is and that He came into this world to save sinners. Why is that? Because she realized her lost condition and asked Jesus to save her. How do I know that? Because of her relationship with Jesus. Out of all the people of that day Mary was the only one to linger at His grave sight.   Mark 16:9 (KJV) Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.  Mary Magdalene??? You gotta be kidding. Oh yes God doesn’t think as we do. 

Ecclesiastes 9:11 (KJV) I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. Just because we climbed up the corporate ladder here means nothing in heaven. The race is on, you are either on this world’s track or Heaven's track. Which one!

Don’t Stand 🧍‍♂️and Look 🕶️ Too Long

Mark 15:36 (KJV) And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.

Many are just looking and waiting to see what will happen. What were they looking for? Has the death of Jesus become an event instead of what it really was? How could there be no sorrow of the pain and the awfulness of what had happened to Jesus? Oh, I’m sure there were those there who felt great grief and sorrow but they were few. Why do I say that because of the volume of the other voices.

Mark 15:14 (KJV) Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

Mark 15:30 (KJV) Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 

The majority of those at the cross made fun of Jesus and insulted Him. This my friend was not an event. Here at the cross we see the awfulness of man kind and how far mankind will go. For the most part it was in the height of the moment. Wonder what happened later to those who got caught up in the moment?  I wonder if there were replays in their minds when they tried to sleep at night? I’m sure of it. What have you seen or been involved in that you yourself can’t forget? For me there’s one that comes to mind. In 1985 my uncle was on his way home from work. He stops in his little truck; I’m not sure that he got gas for his truck but he did fill up a small gas can and placed it in the back of his truck. He is now headed for home when a young lady for whatever reason crosses the divider and hits his truck pushing it across the highway into a bank. He is trapped in the vehicle, but then the gas in the rear of the truck catches on fire. He somehow turned around kicking the back window out. He get out running down the highway on fire from the gas that got on him. A man jumps out of his car and runs putting blankets over him putting out the fire. Thanks for your quick thinking. But the damage was done. 80% of his skin was burned off. Rushed to the hospital which could not handle this type of trauma. They sent a helicopter to fly him to Augusta. They load and strap him in and up they go but they hit something as they lifted up. The helicopter crashes killing everyone except him. They send him to Grady hospital in Atlanta. He lived 3-days and when I saw him the next day after the accident I cannot describe in words what he looked like. From the top of his head to just above his feet all his skin was gone, burned off and all his body fluids were coming out. As Forrest Gump said “that’s enough of that.” Many wanted to see what would happen there at the cross and you know what even today they still do. My advice is don't stand and look too long!

 

They Need The Cash 💵 and I Am Done With This Shell 🐢

Mark 15:33 (KJV) And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

Mark 15:34 (KJV) And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 

Darkness, that’s bad enough. But then being forsaken, oh my that awful. Have you ever been in the dark? I mean where you felt unrecoverable? Maybe to the point you prayered for daylight. Have you ever been forsaken? Put both together and it’s a bad day. I remember one night after Church services were over. My wife and I always drove 2 cars because I almost never got to leave after services were over. One Sunday night my wife had already left and I turned the light off, locked up and went home. As I walked into our home my wife asked where’s Jason? I said I don’t know. She then said did he not ride home with you? I said no I haven’t seen him. She said he was asleep on the pew. At that point I got really troubled. My mind began to run away with me. All I could picture was that young child of 6 years old waking up in a dark place forsaken. I couldn’t get back to the church fast enough, those 5 miles seemed like 50. When I got there I ran up the church steps expecting to hear crying maybe to the point of uncontrolled gasping for air. I opened the doors as quickly as possible; no crying oh no. He has somehow gotten out of the Church and my mind ran wild. I turned on the lights and my eyes looked quickly to where my wife said he was. As I looked there what I saw was a relief. He was fast asleep, he never knew what I experienced to which I was grateful. 

Darkness was over the whole land for 3 hours and we read nothing of Jesus speaking a word. Then we read that Jesus speaks. What does He say?  “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”   Oh my! Then we read Mark 15:37 (KJV) And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. What did Jesus say Luke 23:46 (KJV) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Jesus' earthly life is over. Then those that loved him began to prepare for His burial. You know we spend a lot of time and money preserving something that’s not going to last.  

1 Timothy 6:7 (KJV) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

I had a good friend named Phil Nixson; he passed away on  April 16, 2020, at the age of 72. I wrote this to say that Phil wasn’t trying to preserve his old broken worn out remains. They lowered his casket into the ground and as I turned to walk away I heard a strange sound. I turned and looked around to see something I had never seen. The grave diggers were putting dirt right on top of that casket. Oh no you might say, that won’t work the casket will rust. You are right! But Phil understood what his Bible taught him.  1 Thessalonians 4:14 (KJV) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  We are not trying to preserve, we are all done with that body, it’s broken, it’s worn out. God is giving us a new one when He calls us all home. So I want to be just like Phil and save my loved ones some money. They need the cash and I am done with this shell. 

The Smart Thief 🤩

 Remember last time Jesus has been stripped of His clothing and these soldiers begin to gamble for His clothing at the foot of the Cross.  Oh how cruel and heartless they were back in those days. But now we have better education and peace rallies we don’t do those barbaric things anymore. Did you watch the news last night or maybe listened to it this morning? We left off with Jesus placed in the middle of two known thieves. For one of these thieves it will be a great day, not so much so for the other. What made the difference? Let's see. 

Mark 15:27 (KJV) And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. This is bad enough but just below and around the cross look what’s going on.  

Mark 15:29 (KJV)  And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,      Mark 15:30 (KJV)  Save thyself, and come down from the cross.                                                             Mark 15:31 (KJV)  Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

Mark 15:32 (KJV) Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. Below the cross the people were saying come off the cross and we will believe who you say you are. The soldiers are still making fun of Jesus Christ and the chief priest and the scribes were saying “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. But Jesus didn’t say a word to them. But what went on above the ground with the two thieves is impressive.    Luke 23:39 (KJV) And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

One of the thieves said so you are really the Savior the Messiah; well if that be so save yourself and us too. This thief was only concerned about himself. Now it’s time for the other thief to speak, what will he have to say?? Luke 23:40 (KJV) But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? This man realized the importances of the hour, he and the other thief are about to die. So what does this man do?? Luke 23:42 (KJV) And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. What do you think Jesus will say to this man? Maybe Jesus might say “are you kidding after what you have done, the language you have used, the people you have destroyed, not on your life, just like you yourself said we're getting what we deserve. That may be what you and I would have said but not Jesus, read what He says.

Luke 23:43 (KJV) And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Do what! You mean that this man lived an awful sinful life; I mean we have the proof he’s a convicted thief he is being punished for his crime and you tell me that in the last moments of his life Jesus saves him from eternal punishment. Yes! Why? Simple, he realized he had done wrong or in other words he realized he was a sinner and that Jesus was his savior and asked “Lord remember him.” At the foot of those crosses there we read of those who were making fun. On one side of Jesus there was one who was trying to make a deal for himself. But on Jesus’s other side there was one who saw the real importance of the moment. He was truthfully sorry and asked for forgiveness. Picture the day we live in. There are those who go about their day and if they think about death they just say there’s plenty of time. Then there’s others who are making deals with God. Just the other day a man asked me to baptize him. I asked him why did he think he needed to be baptized? He said I never have and I want to cover all the bases and be sure. You don’t do or make deals with God. This thief didn’t he just simply asked “Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” Well let me see,🤔 were you a member of the synagogue? 🧐 Did you give of your time and money?⏳💰 Were you baptized? 💦 No,No,and No! But I have done wrong, I have sinned! Good enough see you later today in Paradise.  We are either below the cross, making a deal or putting our trust in Jesus Christ like the smart thief.