THE OLIVET OUTLOOK
Mark 16:12-20
We should pitch our tents on Olivet’s top. That grove of trees yonder, that’s Gethsemane; a bit farther beyond, that’s Calvary; up north there lies white Hermon, where the inner glory looked out. This is the Olivet landscape. But here is Jesus himself standing, face looking out; hand pointing out; words ringing out: “Go ye”—all of you go, go to all. This is the ringing cry, until Jesus’ feet again press Olivet’s top.
THE CENTER OF SPIRIT GRAVITY
Mark 16:1-11
Death is a result of sin. There was no sin in Jesus. Death had no power over him. For a great love-purpose he yielded to it. Then, when the great errand was done, he yielded to the natural upward gravity of his sinless life, and rose up, up through the rock of the tomb, up into life, a new life, a new sort of life. So it will be with us when he comes back.
THE LOWEST VALLEY
Matthew 27:57-66
Jesus’ burial was the climax of his death, as the death was the climax of his life. Joseph’s tomb, carefully sealed with imperial Rome’s mark, tied the knot on the end of the thread of his death. There could now be no doubt that he had really died. His death touched the very bottom. He went to the very lowest, putting death to death for us, and making the new life as real as the death was. Because of the sting in his death, there need be none in ours.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?
THE HIGHEST PEAK
Matthew 27:39-56
The hill of the Cross is the highest hill on earth in its significance. There hate’s worst and love’s best met, and love won. Jesus was victorious as he yielded to the pain and shame of the Cross. He did it freely of his own accord. He did it out of love. He did it for us. So, and only so, are we safe and saved. May the love of it grip us anew today!
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?
TWO STORIES IN ONE
Mark 15:22-39
The Cross spells out two stories: one in black, ugly pot-black, the story of sin. Sin carpentered the cross, and wove the thorns, and drove the nails: our sin. And a story, too, in red, bright-flowing red, the story of love, his love, that yielded to cross and nails and shame for us. And only the passion of his love burning within will make us hate sin, as only his blood can wash it out.
