E-pistle for July 17, 2015
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E-pistle
FreeWay Foundation July 17, 2015
Persons jesus met while carrying his cross
(Mark 15:1-47)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Jesus was tried before Pilate, vv. 1-5.
2. Pilate releases a notorious criminal named Barabbas but sentenced Jesus
to be crucified, vv. 6-15.
3. The Roman soldiers mocked Jesus, vv. 16-20.
4. Simon, a Cyrenian, was compelled to carry Jesus' cross; Jesus was nailed
to the cross under a sign reading: "THE KING OF THE JEWS," vv. 21-32.
5. When Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to
the bottom; the Roman centurion exclaimed, "TRULY THIS MAN WAS THE
SON OF GOD," vv. 33-41.
II. Meditation: on the persons Jesus met while carrying His cross
1. Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21; Matthew 27:32; Luke 23:26).
2. "Daughters of Jerusalem" (Luke 23:27-31)
III. Revelation: on the spiritual truths seen here
1. Simon (from North Africa) helped Jesus by carrying His cross; Christians,
also, need assistance in carrying their heavy burdens . . . especially those
related to spiritual and physical suffering.
2. Jesus told the mourning women not to weep for Him . . . He was doing the
Father's will and going to a far better place than they knew.
3. Jesus taught that expressions of comfort and condolence are to be given
to the living who are left behind, for these also face suffering, death, and
judgment.
4. Jesus warned that if such persecution happened to Him ("green wood"),
how much more would persecution happen to the "dry wood" . . . His
followers. (See Matthew 10:16-39)
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. "Bear my own burden," Galatians 6:5 . . . my responsibility and duty;
further, "bear another person's burden," Galatians 6:2 . . . their overload.
(See I Peter 5:7)
2. Have the proper Christian attitude toward life and death (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Death is merely the door into eternity, II Corinthians 5:8.
3. Be tender-hearted toward those who are experiencing sorrow and grief over the
loss of a loved one . . . just "being there" (without saying anything) helps.
(See Job 2:11-13)
4. Realize that the life-sustaining power flowing through Jesus (sap in the green
tree) is necessary to transform me from a dried-up twig into a fruit-producing
tree or vine. (See John 15:1-8, 16)
turn us back to you, o lord
(Lamentations 5:1-22)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. This chapter begins with a prayer that the Lord will remember the pitiful
condition of the nation: in disgrace, property confiscated by foreigners,
only orphans and widows remaining, forced to pay for basic necessities,
enduring forced labor, subject to occupying armies, ruled by puppet
governors, in danger of marauding robbers, feverish and ill, vv. 1-10.
II. Meditation and Revelation: on some key verses in this chapter
1. "Remember, O Lord, what has come upon us," v. 1. The Lord will not
forget His chosen and beloved people, nor will He forget His covenant
promises to them.
2. "Woe to us, for we have sinned!" v. 16. The suffering they were enduring
was a direct result of their disobeying God's laws, because sin always
brings its wages; however, God's discipline is administered to His children
in love, and it is intended to bring them spiritual understanding and redemption.
3. "You, O Lord, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation,"
v. 19. Almighty God is eternal, and He is in control of the universe and all
the events of history.
4. "Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; renew our days as
of old," v. 21. The Lord God alone has the power to restore and renew His
disobedient, fallen people; He extends mercy and grace when persons repent
and confess their sins.
III. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Remember that the Lord never forgets His people or His promises.
2. Realize that sin bring divine discipline, and that God's purpose is chastening
me is both instructive and redemptive.
3. Rejoice in the assurance that God is in control of all the circumstances of
my life and my ministry.
4. Repent immediately when the Holy Spirit convicts my heart of sin, receive the
Lord's forgiveness and renewal . . . minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day.
"The only people you should ever want to get "even"
with are those who have helped you."
John Honeyfeld
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