Today’s Scripture: Morning Message: Jeremiah 31:31-34 “The Warrior” Mark 15:16-21

The Warrior - Mark 15:16-23 CEB 16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the courtyard of the palace known as the governor’s headquarters, and they called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They dressed him up in a purple robe and twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on him. 18 They saluted him, “Hey! King of the Jews!” 19 Again and again, they struck his head with a stick. They spit on him and knelt before him to honor him. 20 When they finished mocking him, they stripped him of the purple robe and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

The Warrior - Mark 15:16-23 CEB 21 Simon, a man from Cyrene, Alexander and Rufus’ father, was coming in from the countryside. They forced him to carry his cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means Skull Place. 23 They tried to give him wine mixed with myrrh, but he didn’t take it.

Mark 15:39 CEB “When the centurion, who stood facing Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “This man was certainly God’s Son.”

We are advancing constantly . . . !” “I don’t want to get any messages saying that we are holding our position . . . We are advancing constantly . . . !”

The warrior knows what he wants and knows how to get it. The warrior takes action. He confronts life’s tasks and problems. She is assertive, able to awaken energy that motivates – able to move out of a defensive holding pattern and take the offensive. The warrior knows what he wants and knows how to get it. The warrior has a keen mind that sees the right strategy and tactics. The warrior knows her abilities and limitations in any given situation. From “King, Warrior, Magician, Lover; Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine” by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette; 1991 HarperOne

The warrior moves forward, quickly evaluating the situation on the ground with razor sharp accuracy. He adapts himself and shifts tactics as needed. The warrior knows how short and fragile life is. She has no time for anything other than meaningful action. The warrior doesn’t over think things because hesitation might lead to inaction. The warrior doesn’t act to impress anyone and does not need to prove anything to herself.

The warrior is willing to suffer to get done what needs to be done The warrior is willing to suffer to get done what needs to be done. He can bear the unbearable. The warrior is loyal and devoted to something bigger than herself such as God, the King, the people, the nation, the task. The warrior does not seek glory for himself. She seeks to glorify the one to whom she is loyal. He does not live to gratify his personal needs or wishes. The warrior organizes her life around her central commitment. The warrior needs to be a lover or he will lack compassion for the people whose cause he is committed to serve.

Mark 1:14, 15 CEB “Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s Kingdom!

Mark 1:14, 15 CEB “Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s Kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!”

“immediately”

Mark 8: 34, 35 CEB “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. 35 All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me and because of the good news will save them.”

Why do warriors go bad? Why do some become fearful? Worse yet why do some become abusive brutes like the ones who tried to humiliate Jesus?

Mark 8: 34, 35 CEB “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. 35 All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me and because of the good news will save them.”