MARK 8 COMPASSION OF CHRIST Thousands gathered listening, learning – hungry in soul and body – Wanting something that was missing – not quite sure what it was. A rescue for those who are ready to fall – A helper for those who are willing to call. A giver of sight to those who are blind – A listener who really cares for the troubled in mind. A restorer of life for those about to die – A dryer of tears for those left to cry. A Savior from sin for those who are lost – A provider of grace to pay sin’s great cost. In compassion the Lord reaches us in our need – In love He gave all when for us He did bleed.
CONFESSION OF CHRIST A few following, learning, practicing – willing to be identified with Jesus They heard what people said, watched what Jesus did – and chose. John the Baptist, calling a nation to repent – Or the Messiah, from heaven He was sent? Elijah the great prophet, challenging a nation on a mount – Or the Messiah, our Lord Jesus – His blood a cleansing fount? Isaiah the intellectual, seeing down through coming ages – Or the Messiah, the lad Jesus, confounding learn`ed sages? Jonah the evangelist, like one risen from the dead – Or the Messiah, the Church’s risen glorious Head? Jeremiah the weeping prophet, seeing a nation’s darkness loom – Or the Messiah, the Man of sorrows, who rose up from the tomb? Daniel the wise seer, with predictions past and future – Or the Messiah, Creator in control of the universe and nature?
Malachi the last, with a final word from God – Or the Messiah, Sun of Righteousness, fulfilling all God’s Word?
CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST Disciples confessing who He is – now must learn what He came to do. Far removed from their expectations – a restored Israel? A hope for all mankind? The Son of Man must suffer? Hadn’t He already suffered much? The Son of Man must suffer more to fulfill all righteousness. The Son of Man must be rejected of the elders, priests and scribes, The Son of Man must be killed and after three days will arise. The Son of Man must be lifted up and die upon a tree, The Son of Man must be made a curse for us on the cross at Calvary. The Son of Man must be made sin for us to make us righteous before God in Him, The Son of Man must pay with His death the awful cost of sin. The Son of Man must bear our sins to bring us unto God, The Son of Man must thus be charged and bear sins' heavy load. The Son of Man must the law fulfill to legally meet sin’s claim, The Son of Man must die and rise to bring us unto Him. Because He’s the only sinless One, He defeated death by dying, He liberates repentant ones who come to God on Him relying.
CONCERN OF CHRIST What of those who chose to save their life? What then? Eternally lost, undone, hopeless. Ashamed now of Him – concerned about their reputation – looking for gain – losers. What profit if I am a friend to everyone – popular – sought after What profit if people look at me and think my religion makes me good? What profit if I am successful in business, rising higher and higher each year What profit if my learning, opens doors to the intellectual pursuits I longed for What profit if I travel the world and millions know my name as a leader What profit if I have prepared everything for my family’s well-being and my retirement What loss when I am young, I excel in every endeavor and lose to greed What loss when I am middle-aged and my life consists of my possessions What loss when I am old and have no peace, contentment or comfort What loss when all people have to measure me by is, “He was a good man” What loss if I have never been saved from sin and hell What loss if I leave this life alone, without God, without Christ, without hope. Because the worth of a soul is greater to God than the world – I must be saved! Because this life is my only time of preparation for the eternal future – I must prepare now!
“I learn lessons as I read Thy Word, O God, and I am convicted even by the things I write. Surely this is all true and yet I seem to accept them without an inward fire. Light me up with the compassion and concern of Christ. Stir me with thoughts of His crucifixion that I may live out mine. Let me consider again the value of confession with my mouth the Lord Jesus. Amen.”