This is the week that all eyes are on the cross. Christians are focusing their attention and prayers on the events that Jesus faced in Jerusalem before He went to the cross. His last week was filled with the clashing of truth with lies, but He was resolute. His mission would be fulfilled, even in the face of conspiracy and betrayal.
Jeff wrote in with the following email. He captured the heaviness of Jesus’ heart in a way that should impact all of us:
Hi Mark,
My wife and I believe you are doing something for the Lord that a whole lot more of us should be doing along with you. We read all materials before we share them with anyone. I also mentioned we would be helping our mothers reach our straying and lost family members.
I recently returned from Minnesota where I helped my 83-year-old mother get to some doctor appointments. While there, I showed her some of your materials, and we viewed a few clips from the “Pride Goeth Before Destructionâ€Â DVD. She commented to me that she liked the way you conversed with people about sin and hell without being offensive. She reads her Bible every day.
My mother’s burden is that all her children and grandchildren are made fully aware of the gospel of Jesus Christ before the Lord calls her home. I explained to her how I was going to distribute your materials to my brother and three sisters, but she insisted that her grandchildren receive the same materials, too. So, I needed to order more.
When I was with my mother, we had a time of devotion together. We looked at Matthew 26:36-46. Jesus had gone to Gethsemane with His disciples just before He was to be arrested. He told His disciples to sit while He went off to pray. Jesus took Peter and James and John along with Him. Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.†Jesus went off a little farther and fell with His face to the ground and prayed to ask the Father, if possible, to take “this cupâ€Â from Him, but not as He willed but as the Father willed.
Now, keep in mind that much earlier Jesus had told the disciples He would die and rise from the dead. The appointed time had arrived. It is our belief, since Jesus and the Father are One, that Jesus knew that all God’s wrath against mankind was going to come upon Him. His human side asked the Father for another way, if possible.
Three times Jesus went off to pray. Each time the disciples slept. The disciples slept! Jesus was about to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world, and the disciples slept. Now, I don’t cry easily but, when we discussed this portion of scripture, I cried. The Lord Jesus Christ was about to pay the penalty for everyone’s sin, and His disciples slept.
Tears are welling up in my eyes again as I write this to you. The Lord died for us. Shouldn’t we have enough courage to stop sleeping and go tell the world what He did for us? Tears are filling my eyes, and I can hardly see to write anymore.
May God continue to richly bless you,
Jeff
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Jeff draws a strong parallel that all of us can understand. It was an unspeakable privilege for the disciples to care about the dire things facing the Lord that night in the Garden of Gethsemane. But they slept. There are some heavy things on the Lord’s heart today. Can God trust you to stay awake and remain vigilant?
Our mission is to reach others with the message of the cross, which was costly for Jesus Christ to provide. There is no time for slumbering. The minutes and seconds are zipping by as the world careens toward its clash with eternity. Help everyone you can to be ready before that “day of no return†arrives.
2 Corinthians 6:2ÂÂ
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Until the Nets are Full,
P.S. To help those around you get a clear understanding of the gospel, you might want to share this video: Today Is the Day of Salvation. I had the privilege of giving it a few years ago on Resurrection Sunday and have had a lot of good feedback about it. We have even heard from folks who have watched the message and have become born again! Praise ye the Lord!!
Share the great news that Jesus not only died for our sins, but He conquered death by rising from the dead! Yes, the tomb is empty!! Which means one day we will be raised from death as well!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rONX-bPNYZc