...follow Christ...rejoice in the Lord...

“1 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2 Pilate asked Jesus, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered Pilate, ‘You say so.’ 3 Then the chief priests accused Him of many things. 4 Pilate asked Him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’ 5 But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

6 Now at the festival Pilate used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. 7 Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder during the insurrection. 8 So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. 9 Then he answered them, ‘Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?' 10 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas for them instead. 12 Pilate spoke to them again, ‘Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?’ 13 They shouted back, ‘Crucify Him!’ 14 Pilate asked them, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify him!’ 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them, and after flogging Jesus he handed him over to be crucified” Mark 15:1-15.

I have often been so struck by single words that appear in the stories of the Bible. Today’s story is an example to me of a single word that strikes me in the heart. When the crazy crowd has been stirred up, and they demand of Pilate that he crucify Jesus, Pilate simply asks them, “WHY?”

Oh my! How many times I have heard this single question, this single word, in my heart, in my mind, and in my soul, when I have a sinned against the Lord. WHY Paul? WHY?

Dear friends, no matter where you find yourself in your life this day, no matter if you are in a good place today or you are suffering greatly, fearful of tomorrow, can you hear Jesus whispering to you, “WHY? WHY are you not following Me? WHY are you trying to make it through today, once again, keeping Me at arm’s distance? WHY are you taking “vacations” from me? WHY are you persisting in believing that I am not for you? WHY are you getting more and more comfortable every day trying to live without Me? WHY are you telling yourself that you have valid reasons not to follow Me?”

Dear friends, I beg you to take time today and pray. Ask the Lord to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Beg the Lord to pull you back into His heart, back into His love. Pray these words: “Lord, Let me follow You today! Let me hear Your voice! Let me trust in You! Forgive me!”

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.

From the Bible:

“This day is holy to our Lord. So do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” Psalm 16:11.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” Romans 15:13.

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” John 15:11.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” Philippians 4:4.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” Romans 14:7.

“You may have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” John 16:22.

“Let all who take refuge in the Lord rejoice” Psalm 5:11.