May 25

Mark 16

The Resurrection

[1] When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. [2] And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. [3] And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” [4] And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. [5] And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. [6] And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. [7] But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” [8] And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

[Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9—20.]

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

[9] [[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. [10] She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. [11] But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

[12] After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. [13] And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

The Great Commission

[14] Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. [15] And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. [16] Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. [17] And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

[19] So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. [20] And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]

Galatians 6

Bear One Another’s Burdens

[1] Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. [2] Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. [3] For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. [4] But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. [5] For each will have to bear his own load.

[6] Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. [7] Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. [8] For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. [10] So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Final Warning and Benediction

[11] See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. [12] It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. [13] For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. [14] But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [15] For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. [16] And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

[17] From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

[18] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Psalm 118

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

    [1] Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

        for his steadfast love endures forever!

    [2] Let Israel say,

        “His steadfast love endures forever.” 

    [3] Let the house of Aaron say,

        “His steadfast love endures forever.” 

    [4] Let those who fear the LORD say,

        “His steadfast love endures forever.”

    [5] Out of my distress I called on the LORD;

        the LORD answered me and set me free. 

    [6] The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.

        What can man do to me? 

    [7] The LORD is on my side as my helper;

        I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

    [8] It is better to take refuge in the LORD

        than to trust in man. 

    [9] It is better to take refuge in the LORD

        than to trust in princes.

    [10] All nations surrounded me;

        in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 

    [11] They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;

        in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 

    [12] They surrounded me like bees;

        they went out like a fire among thorns;

        in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 

    [13] I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,

        but the LORD helped me.

    [14] The LORD is my strength and my song;

        he has become my salvation. 

    [15] Glad songs of salvation

        are in the tents of the righteous:

    “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly, 

    [16]     the right hand of the LORD exalts,

        the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!”

    [17] I shall not die, but I shall live,

        and recount the deeds of the LORD. 

    [18] The LORD has disciplined me severely,

        but he has not given me over to death.

    [19] Open to me the gates of righteousness,

        that I may enter through them

        and give thanks to the LORD. 

    [20] This is the gate of the LORD;

        the righteous shall enter through it. 

    [21] I thank you that you have answered me

        and have become my salvation. 

    [22] The stone that the builders rejected

        has become the cornerstone. 

    [23] This is the LORD’s doing;

        it is marvelous in our eyes. 

    [24] This is the day that the LORD has made;

        let us rejoice and be glad in it.

    [25] Save us, we pray, O LORD!

        O LORD, we pray, give us success!

    [26] Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

        We bless you from the house of the LORD. 

    [27] The LORD is God,

        and he has made his light to shine upon us.

    Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,

        up to the horns of the altar!

    [28] You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;

        you are my God; I will extol you. 

    [29] Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

        for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Samuel 23

The Last Words of David

[1] Now these are the last words of David: 

    The oracle of David, the son of Jesse,

        the oracle of the man who was raised on high,

    the anointed of the God of Jacob,

        the sweet psalmist of Israel:

    [2] “The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me;

        his word is on my tongue. 

    [3] The God of Israel has spoken;

        the Rock of Israel has said to me:

    When one rules justly over men,

        ruling in the fear of God, 

    [4] he dawns on them like the morning light,

        like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning,

        like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.

    [5] “For does not my house stand so with God?

        For he has made with me an everlasting covenant,

        ordered in all things and secure.

    For will he not cause to prosper

        all my help and my desire? 

    [6] But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away,

        for they cannot be taken with the hand; 

    [7] but the man who touches them

        arms himself with iron and the shaft of a spear,

        and they are utterly consumed with fire.”

    David’s Mighty Men

[8] These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time.

[9] And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew. [10] He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword. And the LORD brought about a great victory that day, and the men returned after him only to strip the slain.

[11] And next to him was Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines. [12] But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the LORD worked a great victory.

[13] And three of the thirty chief men went down and came about harvest time to David at the cave of Adullam, when a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. [14] David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. [15] And David said longingly, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” [16] Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and carried and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it. He poured it out to the LORD [17] and said, “Far be it from me, O LORD, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.

[18] Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. And he wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them and won a name beside the three. [19] He was the most renowned of the thirty and became their commander, but he did not attain to the three.

[20] And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. [21] And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. [22] These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and won a name beside the three mighty men. [23] He was renowned among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David set him over his bodyguard.

[24] Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, [25] Shammah of Harod, Elika of Harod, [26] Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh of Tekoa, [27] Abiezer of Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite, [28] Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai of Netophah, [29] Heleb the son of Baanah of Netophah, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the people of Benjamin, [30] Benaiah of Pirathon, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, [31] Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth of Bahurim, [32] Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, [33] Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, [34] Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai of Maacah, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, [35] Hezro of Carmel, Paarai the Arbite, [36] Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, [37] Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai of Beeroth, the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, [38] Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, [39] Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.

2 Samuel 24

David’s Census

[1] Again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” [2] So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army, who was with him, “Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.” [3] But Joab said to the king, “May the LORD your God add to the people a hundred times as many as they are, while the eyes of my lord the king still see it, but why does my lord the king delight in this thing?” [4] But the king’s word prevailed against Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the presence of the king to number the people of Israel. [5] They crossed the Jordan and began from Aroer, and from the city that is in the middle of the valley, toward Gad and on to Jazer. [6] Then they came to Gilead, and to Kadesh in the land of the Hittites; and they came to Dan, and from Dan they went around to Sidon, [7] and came to the fortress of Tyre and to all the cities of the Hivites and Canaanites; and they went out to the Negeb of Judah at Beersheba. [8] So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. [9] And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to the king: in Israel there were 800,000 valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were 500,000.

The LORD’s Judgment of David’s Sin

[10] But David’s heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O LORD, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.” [11] And when David arose in the morning, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying, [12] “Go and say to David, ‘Thus says the LORD, Three things I offer you. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you.’” [13] So Gad came to David and told him, and said to him, “Shall three years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ pestilence in your land? Now consider, and decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me.” [14] Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”

[15] So the LORD sent a pestilence on Israel from the morning until the appointed time. And there died of the people from Dan to Beersheba 70,000 men. [16] And when the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was working destruction among the people, “It is enough; now stay your hand.” And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. [17] Then David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and against my father’s house.”

David Builds an Altar

[18] And Gad came that day to David and said to him, “Go up, raise an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” [19] So David went up at Gad’s word, as the LORD commanded. [20] And when Araunah looked down, he saw the king and his servants coming on toward him. And Araunah went out and paid homage to the king with his face to the ground. [21] And Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David said, “To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the LORD, that the plague may be averted from the people.” [22] Then Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Here are the oxen for the burnt offering and the threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for the wood. [23] All this, O king, Araunah gives to the king.” And Araunah said to the king, “May the LORD your God accept you.” [24] But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. [25] And David built there an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD responded to the plea for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.

How to Respond to Persecution

PRAY OVER THIS

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10

 

PONDER THIS

Christians are different. Christians should stand out like a diamond in a coal mine—like a gardenia in a garbage can. We’re alive in the spirit. The world is dead in sin. We live by faith; they walk by sight. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13), and “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Salt irritates when poured into a wound, and light reveals. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is an irritant to the wounds of this world and the Gospel of Jesus Christ reveals the darkness of this world.

So, what do you do when you face persecution and opposition? “Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45). You’re the King’s kids! You act and respond like your Father in Heaven. Don’t get even. Return good for evil.

How do you naturally respond when you face opposition from someone?

Why is it important to remember the kingdom we belong to?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk to someone you know who you’ve seen show love to his or her enemies. Ask for insights on how to grow in this way.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Bedrock of Your Assurance

God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit. (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

The Bible speaks of our election — God’s choosing us — in Christ before the foundation of the earth (Ephesians 1:4) before we had done anything good or evil (Romans 9:11). Therefore, our election is unconditional in the strictest sense. Neither our faith nor our obedience is the basis of it. It is free and utterly undeserved.

On the other hand, dozens of passages in the Bible speak of our final salvation (as opposed to our election in eternity past) as conditional upon a changed heart and life. So, the question arises, How can I have the assurance that I will persevere in the faith and holiness necessary for inheriting eternal life?

The answer is that assurance is rooted in our election. Second Peter 1:10 says, “Be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” Divine election is the foundation of God’s commitment to save me, and therefore that he will undertake to work in me by sanctifying grace what his electing grace has begun.

This is the meaning of the new covenant. Everyone who believes in Jesus is a secure beneficiary of the new covenant, because Jesus said in Luke 22:20, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” That is, by my blood I secure the new covenant for all who are mine.

In the new covenant God does not merely command obedience; he gives it. “The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live” (Deuteronomy 30:6). “I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes” (Ezekiel 36:27; cf. 11:20). Those are new covenant promises.

Election is God’s eternal commitment to do this for his people. So, election guarantees that those whom God justifies by faith he will most assuredly glorify (Romans 8:30). This means that he will unfailingly work in us all the conditions laid down for glorification.

Election is the final ground of assurance because, since it is God’s commitment to save, it is also God’s commitment to enable all that is necessary for salvation.

John Piper 

May 24

Mark 15:42-47

Jesus Is Buried

[42] And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, [43] Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. [44] Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. [45] And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. [46] And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. [47] Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

Galatians 5:13-26

[13] For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. [14] For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [15] But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Keep in Step with the Spirit

[16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

[25] If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Psalm 117

The LORD’s Faithfulness Endures Forever

    [1] Praise the LORD, all nations!

        Extol him, all peoples! 

    [2] For great is his steadfast love toward us,

        and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.

    Praise the LORD!

2 Samuel 22

David’s Song of Deliverance

[1] And David spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. [2] He said, 

    “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, 

    [3]     my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

    my shield, and the horn of my salvation,

        my stronghold and my refuge,

        my savior; you save me from violence. 

    [4] I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,

        and I am saved from my enemies.

    [5] “For the waves of death encompassed me,

        the torrents of destruction assailed me; 

    [6] the cords of Sheol entangled me;

        the snares of death confronted me.

    [7] “In my distress I called upon the LORD;

        to my God I called.

    From his temple he heard my voice,

        and my cry came to his ears.

    [8] “Then the earth reeled and rocked;

        the foundations of the heavens trembled

        and quaked, because he was angry. 

    [9] Smoke went up from his nostrils,

        and devouring fire from his mouth;

        glowing coals flamed forth from him. 

    [10] He bowed the heavens and came down;

        thick darkness was under his feet. 

    [11] He rode on a cherub and flew;

        he was seen on the wings of the wind. 

    [12] He made darkness around him his canopy,

        thick clouds, a gathering of water. 

    [13] Out of the brightness before him

        coals of fire flamed forth. 

    [14] The LORD thundered from heaven,

        and the Most High uttered his voice. 

    [15] And he sent out arrows and scattered them;

        lightning, and routed them. 

    [16] Then the channels of the sea were seen;

        the foundations of the world were laid bare,

    at the rebuke of the LORD,

        at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

    [17] “He sent from on high, he took me;

        he drew me out of many waters. 

    [18] He rescued me from my strong enemy,

        from those who hated me,

        for they were too mighty for me. 

    [19] They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

        but the LORD was my support. 

    [20] He brought me out into a broad place;

        he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

    [21] “The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness;

        according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. 

    [22] For I have kept the ways of the LORD

        and have not wickedly departed from my God. 

    [23] For all his rules were before me,

        and from his statutes I did not turn aside. 

    [24] I was blameless before him,

        and I kept myself from guilt. 

    [25] And the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness,

        according to my cleanness in his sight.

    [26] “With the merciful you show yourself merciful;

        with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; 

    [27] with the purified you deal purely,

        and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. 

    [28] You save a humble people,

        but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down. 

    [29] For you are my lamp, O LORD,

        and my God lightens my darkness. 

    [30] For by you I can run against a troop,

        and by my God I can leap over a wall. 

    [31] This God—his way is perfect;

        the word of the LORD proves true;

        he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

    [32] “For who is God, but the LORD?

        And who is a rock, except our God? 

    [33] This God is my strong refuge

        and has made my way blameless. 

    [34] He made my feet like the feet of a deer

        and set me secure on the heights. 

    [35] He trains my hands for war,

        so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 

    [36] You have given me the shield of your salvation,

        and your gentleness made me great. 

    [37] You gave a wide place for my steps under me,

        and my feet did not slip; 

    [38] I pursued my enemies and destroyed them,

        and did not turn back until they were consumed. 

    [39] I consumed them; I thrust them through, so that they did not rise;

        they fell under my feet. 

    [40] For you equipped me with strength for the battle;

        you made those who rise against me sink under me. 

    [41] You made my enemies turn their backs to me,

        those who hated me, and I destroyed them. 

    [42] They looked, but there was none to save;

        they cried to the LORD, but he did not answer them. 

    [43] I beat them fine as the dust of the earth;

        I crushed them and stamped them down like the mire of the streets.

    [44] “You delivered me from strife with my people;

        you kept me as the head of the nations;

        people whom I had not known served me. 

    [45] Foreigners came cringing to me;

        as soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me. 

    [46] Foreigners lost heart

        and came trembling out of their fortresses.

    [47] “The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock,

        and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation, 

    [48] the God who gave me vengeance

        and brought down peoples under me, 

    [49] who brought me out from my enemies;

        you exalted me above those who rose against me;

        you delivered me from men of violence.

    [50] “For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations,

        and sing praises to your name. 

    [51] Great salvation he brings to his king,

        and shows steadfast love to his anointed,

        to David and his offspring forever.”

Surrender Comes Before Peace

PRAY OVER THIS

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

 

PONDER THIS

Peace is a right relationship with God that leads to right relationship with self and guides us in a right relationship with other people.

Righteousness and peace are linked together. Sin separates men from God. Sin brings inner turmoil, and it separates men from men. Admiral Nelson won a sea battle, and there was a French admiral surrendering to Lord Nelson. The French admiral came and approached Lord Nelson on the deck of a ship with all his gear and armor. And that admiral put out his hand to Lord Nelson to surrender, but Lord Nelson just stepped back and said, “Your sword first.”

There are a lot of people who just think they can walk up and glad-hand the Lord Jesus Christ, but He says, “Your sword first.” Surrender first. Jesus is not an appeaser, and He will never make a truce with sin. There can never be peace without first a surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Where do you need to surrender to Jesus to pursue peace?

Where are you prone to want to deal with sin apart from admitting guilt? Why doesn’t his work?

PRACTICE THIS

Praise God for making peace possible through Jesus.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Is Christ Worth It?

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26–27)

Jesus is unashamed and unafraid of telling us up front the “worst” — the painful cost of being a Christian: hating family (verse 26), carrying a cross (verse 27), renouncing possessions (verse 33). There is no small print in the covenant of grace. It is all big, and bold. No cheap grace! Very costly! Come, and be my disciple.

But Satan hides his worst and shows only his best. All that really matters in the deal with Satan is in small print on the back page.

On the front page in big, bold letters are the words, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4), and “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:9). But on the back page in small print — so small you can only read it with the magnifying glass of the Bible — it says, “And after the fleeting pleasures, you will suffer with me forever in hell.”

Why is Jesus willing to show us his “worst” as well as his best, while Satan will only show us his best? Matthew Henry answers, “Satan shows the best, but hides the worst, because his best will not [counterbalance] his worst; but Christ’s will abundantly.”

The call of Jesus is not just a call to suffering and self-denial; it is first a call to a banquet. This is the point of the parable in Luke 14:16–24. Jesus also promises a glorious resurrection where all the losses of this life will be repaid (Luke 14:14). He also tells us that he will help us endure the hardships (Luke 22:32). He also tells us our Father will give us the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). He promises that even if we are killed for the kingdom, “not a hair of your head will perish” (Luke 21:18).

Which means that when we sit down to calculate the cost of following Jesus — when we weigh the “worst” and the “best” — he is worth it. Abundantly worth it (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17).

Not so with Satan. Stolen bread is sweet, but afterward the mouth is full of gravel (Proverbs 20:17).

John Piper 

May 23

Mark 15:33-41

The Death of Jesus

[33] And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. [34] And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” [35] And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” [36] And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” [37] And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. [38] And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. [39] And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

[40] There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. [41] When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

Galatians 5:1-12

Christ Has Set Us Free

[1] For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

[2] Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. [3] I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. [4] You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. [5] For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

[7] You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? [8] This persuasion is not from him who calls you. [9] A little leaven leavens the whole lump. [10] I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. [11] But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. [12] I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

Psalm 116

I Love the LORD

    [1] I love the LORD, because he has heard

        my voice and my pleas for mercy. 

    [2] Because he inclined his ear to me,

        therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 

    [3] The snares of death encompassed me;

        the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;

        I suffered distress and anguish. 

    [4] Then I called on the name of the LORD:

        “O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!”

    [5] Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;

        our God is merciful. 

    [6] The LORD preserves the simple;

        when I was brought low, he saved me. 

    [7] Return, O my soul, to your rest;

        for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

    [8] For you have delivered my soul from death,

        my eyes from tears,

        my feet from stumbling; 

    [9] I will walk before the LORD

        in the land of the living.

    [10] I believed, even when I spoke:

        “I am greatly afflicted”; 

    [11] I said in my alarm,

        “All mankind are liars.”

    [12] What shall I render to the LORD

        for all his benefits to me? 

    [13] I will lift up the cup of salvation

        and call on the name of the LORD, 

    [14] I will pay my vows to the LORD

        in the presence of all his people.

    [15] Precious in the sight of the LORD

        is the death of his saints. 

    [16] O LORD, I am your servant;

        I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.

        You have loosed my bonds. 

    [17] I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving

        and call on the name of the LORD. 

    [18] I will pay my vows to the LORD

        in the presence of all his people, 

    [19] in the courts of the house of the LORD,

        in your midst, O Jerusalem.

    Praise the LORD!

2 Samuel 20

The Rebellion of Sheba

[1] Now there happened to be there a worthless man, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. And he blew the trumpet and said, 

    “We have no portion in David,

    and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse;

    every man to his tents, O Israel!”

    [2] So all the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

[3] And David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten concubines whom he had left to care for the house and put them in a house under guard and provided for them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as if in widowhood.

[4] Then the king said to Amasa, “Call the men of Judah together to me within three days, and be here yourself.” [5] So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the set time that had been appointed him. [6] And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us.” [7] And there went out after him Joab’s men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. [8] When they were at the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was wearing a soldier’s garment, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened on his thigh, and as he went forward it fell out. [9] And Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. [10] But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So Joab struck him with it in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died. 

Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.  [11] And one of Joab’s young men took his stand by Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab.” [12] And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the highway. And anyone who came by, seeing him, stopped. And when the man saw that all the people stopped, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field and threw a garment over him. [13] When he was taken out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

[14] And Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel of Beth-maacah, and all the Bichrites assembled and followed him in. [15] And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah. They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down. [16] Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you.’” [17] And he came near her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” [18] Then she said, “They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter. [19] I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the heritage of the LORD?” [20] Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! [21] That is not true. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.” [22] Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

[23] Now Joab was in command of all the army of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the Cherethites and the Pelethites; [24] and Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; [25] and Sheva was secretary; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests; [26] and Ira the Jairite was also David’s priest.

2 Samuel 21

David Avenges the Gibeonites

[1] Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. And David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.” [2] So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the people of Israel but of the remnant of the Amorites. Although the people of Israel had sworn to spare them, Saul had sought to strike them down in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah. [3] And David said to the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? And how shall I make atonement, that you may bless the heritage of the LORD?” [4] The Gibeonites said to him, “It is not a matter of silver or gold between us and Saul or his house; neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel.” And he said, “What do you say that I shall do for you?” [5] They said to the king, “The man who consumed us and planned to destroy us, so that we should have no place in all the territory of Israel, [6] let seven of his sons be given to us, so that we may hang them before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of the LORD.” And the king said, “I will give them.”

[7] But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Saul’s son Jonathan, because of the oath of the LORD that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. [8] The king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Merab the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite; [9] and he gave them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the mountain before the LORD, and the seven of them perished together. They were put to death in the first days of harvest, at the beginning of barley harvest.

[10] Then Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until rain fell upon them from the heavens. And she did not allow the birds of the air to come upon them by day, or the beasts of the field by night. [11] When David was told what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done, [12] David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, on the day the Philistines killed Saul on Gilboa. [13] And he brought up from there the bones of Saul and the bones of his son Jonathan; and they gathered the bones of those who were hanged. [14] And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father. And they did all that the king commanded. And after that God responded to the plea for the land.

War with the Philistines

[15] There was war again between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary. [16] And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, thought to kill David. [17] But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.”

[18] After this there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giants. [19] And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. [20] And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. [21] And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David’s brother, struck him down. [22] These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.