February 15
Ex 39:1-40:38 | PS 35:1-16 | Prov 9:11-12 | Mark 1:1-28
During the initial days of the pandemic in 2020, most individuals cloistered in fear. Facing the unknown, seeing a non-stop vision of illness and death, most hid and concerned themselves with self-preservation. There are many reasons for my choosing Calvary Chapel Old Bridge (CCOB) for my place of worship. One of them is the true shepherd nature of our lead pastor, Lloyd Pulley. Many might not be aware that Pastor Lloyd lost his only son on April 1, 2020. Despite this loss, and despite what was happening all around him, he only took one week off to mourn for his loss, as he immediately went back to caring for his flock. As one of the elders, I along with the others were given a list of over 100 names by our pastor, who we were to contact in one way or another to let them know they were loved during these difficult times, and to offer prayer and assistance if needed. We read in Exodus 39:6-7, "And they set onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold; they were engraved, as signets are engraved, with the names of the sons of Israel. He put them on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the Lord had commanded Moses." Just like the high priest, our pastor shouldered the needs of those entrusted to his care. We read in 39:14, "There were twelve stones according to the names of the sons of Israel: according to their names, engraved like a signet, each one with its own name according to the twelve tribes." These were placed on the breastplate over the high priest's heart, just as the shepherd of our church never allowed the people under his care to leave his heart.
As we embark on the book of Mark, we immediately are introduced to the person of John the Baptist. Without formal training, and seemingly out of nowhere, this prophet of God speaks forth and prepares the way for the ministry of the Messiah. He lacked the credentials that most would ask for. We read in Mark 1:7, "And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose." He saw himself rightly in comparison to Jesus. That is why he was so well suited for his role. We read his role as prophesied by the prophet Isaiah in Mark 1:2-3, "“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ” Notice that there was nothing of John the Baptist in John, he rightly saw it as all about Jesus.
As we move through the book of Mark, we will see Jesus inform His followers three times in Mark chapters 8-10, of His coming sacrifice and victory over sin and death. They could not see it at the time, because they were caught up thinking about themselves, their own positions, and their own safety. In 1 Peter 2:9, we read that we are God's priests if we have truly entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. What we must do if we are to fulfill this role, as my pastor, Lloyd Pulley exemplified, as John the Baptist did, is to purposely avoid self-absorption, and to embrace a spirit of service and love to others. Rather than seeking our own comfort, and protecting our own interests we need to become Jesus focused and others centered. This is how we find peace in the midst of a world which otherwise offers no peace. Come to the Prince of Peace. Seek Him. Immerse ourselves in His Word, and allow ourselves to be transformed into the priests that He so desires of us.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: