Mark 15

Mark 15

(For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.)

Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Mark 15:10‭, ‬‬34‭, ‬38

Lord, reading the account of Your crucifixion is always difficult. There is always this back and forth between sadness and gratefulness, ultimately settling on gratefulness for Your obedience. Again, Your Words search the heart, this morning. Verse ten says the religious moved from a place of envy. Envy. Most other translations use this word as well. What is envy? A desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to (someone else). Proverbs 14:30 states A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. Lord, search our hearts!! Search our hearts and help us to see where envy may be creating death in our relationships, and our relationship with You.

Lord, oftentimes in our darkest places we can feel abandoned. So alone and isolated in our circumstances and situation it seems YOU aren't even there. Then Your Holy Spirit reminds us of the words in Hebrews 13:5, You will NEVER leave us or FORSAKE us. Thank You Jesus, for this reminder in some of the darkest days.

And then GRATITUDE reigns! The curtain of the sanctuary was torn from top to bottom, making a way for ALL to boldly enter the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 Thank You for also making the way for Your Holy Spirit to live within us, Lord. Your Word says in John 16:7, You had to go so the Holy Spirit could come. Thank You. Lord, if envy is the place we are wrestling most right now, help us to enter Your throne of grace, and humbly repent of it. Help us to pray and seek You. You made the way so we could. Thank You Jesus, amen ❤