Peace

        The new cross says you can live any way you want to and you will be accepted.  The old cross says come to Christ to the cross and die to yourself and take up your cross and follow me.  We lay our sins at the cross and ask us to live through us, so we become a new creation in Christ the old passes away the new begins.

Are we commanding Jesus or obeying Him.

Everywhere Jesus went was filled with tension.  His disciples were grasping for positions.  Who would sit on his left and right hand.   James and John's Mother truly thought her sons should be the privileged. 

   Jesus come off a preaching tour with the disciples and stopped in at Mary and Martha's for some time to relax and discuss the fact that He would be leaving them soon.  It was close to dinner time and Martha concerned with too many mouths to feed and not enough time to prepare.  She became distracted and couldn't hear what Jesus had to say.  She forgot He had fed thousands without her help.  First she got distracted, then she got angry with Mary for not helping, and started telling Jesus what to do.  Jesus shows us a picture of Martha's soul.  We will do the same and worse while being distracted.

    Jesus was at Simon's house.  He was not treated as an honored guest.  Simon didn't wash Jesus feet.  When the woman came with the bottle of expensive perfume and began to wash Jesus feet.  She didn't have water so she washed them with her tears.  She didn't have a towel so she dried them with her hair.  She anointed Jesus with very expensive perfume for his burial.  Simon and the others objected.  Why waste this perfume?  Why wasn't it sold to make money for the poor?  Jesus was always giving.  The one time someone did something special for Jesus, it started an argument.  We don't think of how we grieve Jesus.  How they must have regretted their words later.  We see right into the men's souls and it is not pretty.

     The disciples so distracted by sleep and weariness didn't watch and pray.  Distractions are everywhere in our lives.  What are they keeping us from?  When we get distracted we do foolish things.  We get our eyes off Jesus and worry fills our minds.

     Everywhere from every angle we look at the cross was wounds.  Love poured out from every wound.  People see a picture of our soul.  What are they seeing?

High cost we pay for distractions

     Distractions are causing havoc on our bodies.  Our society is plagued with depression, tension, ulcers, and panic attacks.  The high cost of not resting, being anxious and loaded with care  The Bible instructs us to cast our care upon the Lord.  

     

      Jesus and His disciples came to Mary and Martha's house which he often visited.  He went there to get some r and r.  Rest and recover from His being pressed by people.  It was nearing the end of Jesus ministry on earth.  The cross was coming and the end of Him coming on a personal visit to His friend's home.  He wanted to tell them what was ahead.   Martha seeing it was close to supper time and so many people to feed she got distracted with too many meals to fix.  Jesus had fed thousands was sitting there wanting to talk.  She forgot all about Him being the Lord and began stewing over dinner.  In her distraction she got so angry over Mary not helping her that she began to call her sister, instead of Mary.  She is so upset she begins to command Jesus what to do.  Jesus calls her back to the heart of the matter.  One thing is needed, keep your eyes on me. 

Jesus said I am meek, and lowly and you will find rest for your soul.  The master of the sea can still master us, if we will keep our eyes on Him.  Remind me Lord your hands are a big cradle that can hold me safe as I travel through life.  He will keep you in perfect peace who's mind is stayed on HIM.  A visit back to the Tabernacle to the mercy seat to find grace to help in time of need.

Are you inside the Tabernacle or on the outside?

     Many people have come to Jesus to look in the mirror and see their sins.  Some have gotten saved, but refuse to live for God.  Many never go any further than the outer court.  Their sins are washed away, but have no real relationship with God. 

     If we are not willing to spend time with God read His Word or pray.  We will go backwards and lose any close fellowship with God.  If we are not willing to pay the price to know more than a head knowledge of God.  You will eventually drift away from Christ.  So many Christians are content to know that they are forgiven.  We are in danger of following Christ for awhile only to allow trials, hardship, or carelessness to cause us to grow cold and go away from the things of God. 

     Have we forgotten who we are in Christ?  To stop short of the Holy of Holiness and having fellowship with Jesus is to forfeit joy, peace, and have a fellowship that only Christ can bring. 

Not to reach your potential in Christ is to forfeit knowing Christ and His power in your life, but forfeit rewards in the life to come.  You will eventually be like the early Christians that went back living like the world and became entangled in it.  Our hearts can become hard and  calloused toward the things of God.  We can learn a lot of facts about the Bible, but not have the relationship that God so desires.  God loves us and wants to have a relationship with you.  We are family.  Come to God's table and feast on the riches of His grace.  Spending time with Him keeps us washed up and set apart for His glory.  Let's keep growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior and doing His will.  May we be washed and ready to meet Him, so we won't be ashamed at His appearing.  Soon and very soon we shall see the King.  I Corinthians 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth  all things, endureth all things.

     Keep going soon and very soon we shall see the King.