Category Archives: The Pirate Gospel: Mark

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Forty Days of Testing

The Pirate Gospel: Mark 1:12

Immediately the Spirit brought (sent) Him out into the wilderness. (Mark 1:12)

Forty days be long spell ter go without food and water. Forty days be long spell ter go without spying another feller or lass who ‘ill offer a kind word or bite ter eat. After forty days a feller might think that Skipper done give up on him.

But Skip ne’er gives up on us.

Ter be sure, we kin give up Skip. We kin harden our hearts ter the place whar we no longer hear his voice or feel his touch. But always Skip be calling ter us—even ter the very end of our days.

Forty Days of Testing

Forty days of testing be a regular thing with Skipper.

Back long ago, when folks seen that Moses whar taking a long time coming down from the mountain, they said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

After they fashioned themselves a whole passel of little gods, they rose early next day and sacrificed burnt offerings ter thar tiny gods. Afterward they sat down ter eat and drink and ter indulge in revelry—which be a fancy way of saying they took drunk and commenced ter ‘aving thar way with one ah nudder in a fashion a body ought not.

That be when Skipper said ter Moses, “You best go down because your people have become corrupt. They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them.” (Exodus 32:1-8)

How Long Will You Wait On Skipper?

How long will you wait on Skip befer yer time of testing proves too much?

Four days?

Forty days?

Fer a season and no more?

Our Times of Testing Lead ter Blessings

Our times of testing can lead to cleansing, new vision, purging, deliverance, transition and renewal.

  • Skipper caused it ter rain forty days and forty nights when he washed wickedness from the face of the earth. (Genesis 7:12).
  • The twelve spies examined the Promised Land fer forty days before returning with a report. (Numbers 13:25).
  • Goliath taunted Saul’s army fer forty days befer David stepped forwards ter slay that big giant. (1 Samuel 17:16).
  • Elijah fled from Jezebel, traveling forty days and forty nights befer the Lord delivered him ter Mount Horeb.  (1 Kings 19:8).
  • After the Son rose from the grave, he stuck around forty days befer going up inter heaven. (Acts 1:3).

In ever case, those who trusted in the Lord received blessings but first they endured forty days of testing.

If you be in a desert wilderness, examine yer circumstances ter see what Skip be trying ter alter. Doth you need ter be made pure, catch a new vision, purge doubters and doubts from yer midst, be set free of a giant, be delivered from an enemy, transition inter a new role?

Skipper ne’er waste a day on ya. If you be in time of testing, thar be a reason.

Look up, look about, and ask Skip ter show you how come you be out in the wild. Then wait upon the Lord fer the answer.

Parroting the Prayers of Skip’s CrewParroting the Prayers of Skip’s Crew

Lord, you be good ter those who hope in you—ter those who seek you. Give me yer strength ter wait quietly fer yer salvation and deliverance. (Lamentations 3:25-26)

Pirate Facts

“Avast! Avast ye!” be Dutch speak fer “pay attention, mates!” In times of testing, avast ye!

 

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Why Be Baptized?

The Pirate Gospel: Mark 1:9-13

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. (Mark 1:9)

Skipper’s Son grew up in a region always on edge. Centuries of conflict between one sect and ah nudder, between different beliefs, diverse backgrounds and races and loyalties left folks distrustful of one ah nudder. Bandits roamed about. Zealots terrorized folks. Rome ruled, but due ter its distance from seats of power, much of Galilee remained under the control of whatever local militia might ‘ave the most power. Bribes be expected and beatings the punishment fer them who refused. This be the neighborhood the Son come from.

So it whar a fair question fer Nathanael ter ask, “Can any good thing come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46). It be like asking if anything good kin come from the slums of Bristol.

‘Bout that same time, at age thirty, the son of a carpenter set out from Nazareth with no influence, no followers, and no formal rabbinic teaching. Also, ’em who grew up with him held no expectations that he would amount ter anything.

Only a few know him ter be Skipper’s Son, fathered as it whar by the Holy Spirit, and most dared not speak of it.

Down ter the Jordan River the Son walked. Thar he found his cousin, John the Baptizer, calling folks ter repent, and be washed clean of thar sins. Now the Son didn’ ‘ave ah thing ter be washed clean of. He ne’re committed an infraction. But other folks didn’t’ know this. They seen him as jest another chap clamoring ter fall in step with John the Baptizer.

In order ter set things right from the start, the Son waded in ter the Jordan ter show that being washed clean of our filthy living be the first step towards turning ter Skipper and following him, his commands, and his character.

Why Be Baptized?

Ter day ah good many folks ‘ill make all manner and excuses fer why they don’ need ter be baptized. Folks bathe. Folks shower. Folks frolic in ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, and sea. But they won’ take a dip fer Skip.

Some claim they had water sprinkled on thar head when they was a tiny tot. Only as a tot we kin not recall such an event. The tiny brain of a tot be not large enough ter hold such memories.

Others claim they whar baptized as a youth, but kin not recall how and whar.

Even more claim being baptized be an out-dated way of showing you be a follower of the Son. That such a public showing be of no real benefit ter thar faith.

Only think on this a wee little bit. Doctor Luke writes:

Because they had been baptized by John, all the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right.

But because they had not been baptized by John, the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves. (Luke 7:29-30)

Why Whar the Son Baptized?

The Son knows Skipper’s ways be right, just, and lead ter life. Though it be a mysterious matter, when we be baptized by water, our spirit aligns with Skipper’s Holy Spirit and in doing so we also align with Skip’s ways.

If the Son, Skipper’s only boy, the one fathered by the Holy Spirit thought it worth his time ter take a dip, could it not be a thing we ought ter do as well? The Son humbled himself like the common folks gathered on the banks of Jordan. Doth we think ourselves more high and mighty than the Son?

What Benefits Be Thar from Baptism?

The Son seen the heavens opening. Now that be an odd thing ter see in it self, but right after the heaven’s split, Skipper’s Holy Spirit of Truth descended upon Son in the way a dove might come ter alight on a branch.

A voice came from the heavens: “You are My beloved Son. In You I am well pleased.”

Would you like ter see inter heaven? Catch a glimpse of the heavenly realm? ‘Ave Skipper’s Holy Spirit of Truth come upon you in such a clear and obvious manner that thar ne’er be any doubt you ‘ave been washed clean of yer sins? Would you like ter receive Skipper’s purpose fer yer life and know his ways?

Would you like ter hear Skipper say ’bout ya, “You are My beloved one. In You I am well pleased.”

Repent and Be Baptized

‘Ave you done the first things first? Or did you head off on yer walk with the Son without taking the steps he took at the start?

We be called ter follow the Son, not get ahead of him. If you wish ter walk with the Son start at the start with repentance and baptism in water and Spirit. Start now from whatever hood you come from. And should ah feller or lass ever say, “you ‘ill ne’er amount ter anything. Yer jest a nobody.” don’ you believe it fer a second. Once you be in the family of Skipper you be his beloved one and always under his care and protection.

Be baptized in ter the Son and you ‘ill become Skipper’s child. If you ne’re do anything else, that right thar be a right fair accomplishment. Take a dip fer Skip. Then sail on, brothers and sisters and tell others ’bout the Son and Skipper.

Parroting the Prayers of Skip’s CrewParroting the Prayers of Skip’s Crew

Lord, with humility, teach me to walk in your authority. (Psalm 8:1)

Pirate Fact

“Keelhauling” be a form of punishment whar by a length of rope would be tied ’round and under the ship’s hull. The law breaker of the ship’s rules then be tied ter the rope and tossed in ter the sea. Back and forth, up and down the feller goes ’till he be drowned dead or cut ter shreds by barnacles. Even pirates know thar be punishment fer breaking the captain’s code of conduct and yet a good many think nothing of breaking Skippers Code of Conduct.

Our baptism be a symbolic way of acknowledging we deserved ter be keelhauled fer our offenses—killed fer breaking Skippers Code of Conduct. The Good News is, once we be baptized (keelhauled), we ne’er need fear the sting of death, fer in the Son we ‘ave life and ‘ave it ter the full.

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Tempted By Satan

Mark 1:12-13

He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. (Mark 1:13)

Son as tha Son took a dip fer Skip tha Holy Spirit of Truth compelled him ter go in ter tha wilderness. This whar not tha first time Skipper or his Spirit give a feller a hard nudge ter send ’em off in ter tha unknown.

Sent Inter the Wild Ter Be Tempted By Satan

Right after Adam and Eve messed up, Skip kicked ’em out of tha Garden. Keep in mind, all manner of animals and wild beasts be roaming about back then. Why, only a few days ‘fore tha pair got tha boot, Adam and Eve whar playing with the lioness and her cubs. But after thar sin, with ’em being on tha outside looking in, that lioness and her cubs whar near ’bout ready ter tear tha couple from limb ter limb.

Such be tha attitude of tha wild things that live under tha curse of sin.

Whilst trapped as slaves in Egypt, Skip commanded his chosen ones ter go in ter tha wild. At first they be excited fer tha adventure, but after a month or more of roaming about, they got ter grumbling and complaining. Had it been put ter a vote, most would ‘ave voted ter return ter thar old lives of slavery. Like with Adam and Eve, Skip fixed it so they not be able ter go back. He sealed off that route when he flooded the Reed Sea.

Better Ter Live Free and Die Than Ne’er Live

Better ter live free and die, than ter die without ne’er living: that be tha abundant life offered by tha Son.

Elijah got sent inter tha wild.

David fled inter tha wild.

Most all of us gets ter spend time in tha wild.

Often in tha wild ya not be knowing whar yer next meal ‘ill come from or if ya ‘ill find water or shelter. In tha wild yer sandals wear out, feet get tuckered out, cloak be turned inside out on account of it so worn its innards be its outards. Worse, in the wild be whar temptations breed.

Tempted By Satan

We be most vulnerable ter Satan’s attacks after a great victory, when we be emotionally and physically tuckered out, isolated, or angry. In the case of the Son, he jest enjoyed praise from his father in heaven. “This is my own dear son with whom I am pleased.”

Right after this the Holy Spirit of Truth sent the Son inter the wild. Isolated, famished from fasting for forty days, no doubt reflecting on the praise from his father the Son might ‘ave reason ter get a bit riled up due ter his circumstances. Victory followed by isolation followed by hunger and fatigue followed by anger. This be when Satan appeared ter the Son.

Only later, after the Son resisted the devil with the Sword of the Spirit—the words of Skipper—did angels attend ter his needs.

Keep a Weather Eye Out fer Trouble and Temptation

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Be thar a wild trek ya be avoiding? Be thar a wild place yer trying ter escape? Be thar a time of testing ya need ter go through in order to rely on Skipper’s words fer your nourishment, as yer weapon, as his affirming love, as his peace? The Son be our example. In the wild he endured the testing and passed by resisting the devil with faith in the words of Skipper.

If ya be wandering about in a wilderness, know this: Skipper be with ya among tha wild things. He gives us his word and sent The Word ter be our model fer how ter endure. Ter be sure we wish Skip would simply hoist us on ter his back and carry us out of tha wilderness, but most times he wants us ter have more of his strength, more of his stamina, more faith in him and less confidence in our ownselves.

Of this ya kin be sure: getting more of Skip whilst we be in a wild be a right fair trade. And when the time of testing be concluded and we ‘ave passed without givin’ inter temptation, Skip ‘ill be standing thar waiting ter welcome ya back with these words: “This is my own dear child with whom I am pleased.”

If ya feel tha Holy Spirit of Truth nudging ya ter take a hike in ter tha wild, confirm tha call with Skip. Then if confident the wild be yer course, set off without delay.

A feller who sits on his duff and does tha same thing all day ‘ill seldom ‘ave a tale ter tell or faith that won’ fail. Fer that ya ‘ave ter go ter whar tha wild things roam.

Parroting the Prayers of Skip’s CrewParroting the Prayers of Skip’s Crew

 Lord, give me yer strength ter submit ter you. Fer well I know when I do, I kin resist the devil, and he ‘ill ‘ave no choice but ter flee. (James 4:7)

Pirate Fact

Folks from all walks of life came ter be pirates, not jest murdering, lying, thieving, thugs and rascals. Tha pirate William Kidd whar a young lad from a wealthy family who later took up pirating whilst on a mission trip ter hunt pirates. Later he whar executed for piracy. Whilst ya seeking ter root out sin in others careful ya don’ get entangled in it yer self. When tempted by Satan look ter see if yer coming off a victory. If so, watch that ya not fall fer tha thing ya won.

Tempted By Satan

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Beginning of the Good News

The Pirate Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

Because Skip’s words go forth and bring life we find at the beginning of John Mark’s tale that all folks whar flocking ter a strange prophet who whar telling folks ter repent, be baptized, and come inter the kingdom of heaven.

All the country of Judea was going out to John the Baptist, and all the people of Jerusalem. (Mark 1:5)

John Mark appears ter ‘ave spent a goodly amount of time listening ter the preaching of Simon Peter and making notes. Fer a time John Mark ministered with Saul Paul and Barnabas, but then the lad got a bad case of homesickness and jumped ship.

Though at first Saul Paul refused ter take John Mark back, at the end of his life Saul Paul pleads with Timothy ter come quickly and bring Saul Paul’s cloak, parchments (perhaps so Saul Paul could pen more letters), and scrolls (so as ter read more of Skipper’s words) and John Mark, fer he whar helpful in Paul’s ministry.

It might be said of John Mark that he learned under a pair of Skip’s greatest Good Spiel messengers—Old Pete and Saul Paul.

When we read John Mark’s words it be as if through the Holy Spirit of Truth we be transported back ter the first century and enjoy a front row seat of the Son’s travels, actions, and words.

The Beginning of the Good News

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. (Mark 1:1)

After reading short passages of John Mark’s tale, close yer eyes. Feel the dust on the tops of yer feet, the caked mud ‘tween yer toes. Taste the salt of sweat in yer mouth whilst the sun bakes down on you. Hear the murmuring of others whilst the Son’s words echo off buildings. Inhale the odor of sheep and cattle being led ter stalls near the perimeter of Jerusalem.

How Will We Respond to this Good News?

If this whar yer first time hearing, how would you respond ter the Son’s words? This be our challenge: ter hear afresh these loving and hope-filled words of Skipper spoken about his boy.

The Message of John the Baptizer

John the Baptizer appeared preaching a baptism of repentance fer the forgiveness of sins. As folks whar confessing their sins, they whar baptized. While all of ’em in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem whar traipsing out ter hear John, he let ’em know though baptized with water, but the one coming after him would baptize with the Holy Spirit of Truth. The prophet Malachi had promised:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.” (Malachi 3:1)

The prophet Isaiah called folks ter cut a straight path fer the Lord ter come.

“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Isaiah 40:3)

Our Response ter This Good News

This be our challenge from John: that we be washed clean in waters of baptism as ah testimony of our filthy spirit—that we repent, and prepare to meet the one Skipper ‘ill send ter take away all our sins.

John preached of how all the wrong we done kin be cleared off Skipper’s ledger when we come in ter the Son. No matter how bad ah thing you think you done, the Son kin wash away all filth if only we ‘ill come ter him, confess, and be saved by his nail-scarred hand.

Repentance be our deliberate act of turning away from sin and turning towards Skipper’s righteousness.  Skipper always grants fergiveness when thar be true repentance.

Fact be, the Son fergave all who came ter him, even ’em who didn’ ask fer fergiveness. Like the free food he served up ter ’em who whar hungry, the Son doled out fergiveness ter all. Fergiveness be not conditional upon our response. Fergiveness simply be the character of Skipper and his Son. But livin’ as one fergiven and free from sin flows from a life marked by repentance—baptism—and being led by the Holy Spirit of Truth.

This be the theme and message of this tale from John Mark: that we receive the love, grace, mercy and fergiveness of Skipper and his Son in order that we be counted as one of thar crew.

What says you? Will you cast yer lot with the Son and sail ter paradise aboard Skip’s good ship of fellership?

Parroting the Prayers of Skip’s CrewParroting the Prayers of Skip’s Crew

Lord, look with favor on me ’cause of yer loving-kindness. ‘Cause of yer great love take away my wrong-doing. Wash me clean of my sins. (Psalm 51:1-2)

Pirate Facts

Although technically not ah rank, Swab be ah sailor who mops the decks using the swab is called ah “swabbie.” The term has come to describe someone who is not held in high regard by the commanders and crew. Many of ’em who came ter hear John the Baptizer whar of the sort held in low regard by religious folk. Praise be Skip looks at our heart, not up our outward appearances.

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Do Not Leave Jerusalem

Finding Jesus In Jerusalem

Do Not Leave Jerusalem

After givin’ instructions through tha Holy Ghost of Truth ter tha apostles, tha Son began ter teach and show himself ’till tha day he be taken in ter heaven. It happened like this.

He showed himself ter tha Eleven and other disciples. He give many convincing proofs that he whar alive even though he whar executed on tha cross and placed in a tomb. He appeared ter folks over a period of 40 days. He spoke ’bout tha kingdom of Skipper.

On one occasion, while he be eating with tha fellers, he gave ’em this command:

“DO NOT leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:1-5, 8)

After tha Son appeared ter tha Ten, then Thomas (who had all manner of doubts ’bout tha Son being alive), tha Eleven trekked up ter Galilee ter do a bit of fishing. After casting thar nets all night but gathering in little, tha Son waved ter ’em from shore and said:

“Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

“Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” (John 21:5-6)

No doubt tha fellers be grumbling ’bout this lubber seated on tha beach be telling them how ter catch fish. Only, since he had a fire going and some fish grilling they obliged. Soon as they did they hauled in 153 fish. Now ya might be thinking this a fishy story and it be, but not in tha way we might imagine.

Some time earlier tha Son had promised tha fellers they would be fishers of men. He had told ’em ter stay in Jerusalem and wait fer Skipper’s special gift. Only it seems waiting in Jerusalem got ter much fer ’em so they went back ter doing what they done be fer they met tha Son. And like most times when we return ter our old ways, they got nothing fer thar efforts. No fish, no fun, no joy.

Right then tha Son called ter ’em: “Come and have breakfast.”

None of tha fellers dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it be tha Son.

Back on tha beach, jest like he did with the 5,000 and tha 4,000,  tha Son took some bread and gave it ter ’em, and did tha same with tha fish. Fish fer folks . . . bread of life . . .  This whar the third time tha Son appeared ter his mates after he be raised from the dead, only this time they got tha message clear: Old ways be done fer. New ways, new work be thar calling.

We kin imagine that soon as tha fish fry be done fer, tha Eleven hoofed it back ter Jerusalem, fer some days later tha Son met with ’em again and led tha Eleven out of Jerusalem ter the vicinity of Bethany. Thar whar tha Son’s home away from home and tha house of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. While he be near tha Garden whar he prayed tha night ‘fore he be arrested, tha Son told ’em plain:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. I am always with you and will be to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

After saying this he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he be blessing them, he floated up in ter clouds and went on ter heaven ter rejoin Skipper. (Luke 24:50-51)

This be tha second ascension of tha Son only this time tha Eleven done as told. Soon as they lost sight of him, the trekked back ter Jerusalem and waited fer thar special gift ter arrive.

Do ya ‘ave this gift, this Holy Ghost of Truth from tha Son’s pop? Do ya wait on Skip? Do ya obey all tha Son teached and preached?

If not, make it yer task ter obey all tha Son tells ya. Not some, not most, but ever last word. Tha Son done gone ter be with his pop, but he be coming back fer them who be in him. Watch and wait and fish fer folks: that be our charge ’till tha day we go ter Davy Jones.

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Why Are You Crying?

Finding Jesus

Why Are You Crying?

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. – Mark 16:9

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. – John 20:11 (John 20:11-16)

How many of us ‘ave stood some distance away from a grave and wept. Not a wee little bit, but buckets. Mary, tha woman out of whom tha Son cast seven vile demons, showed up at dawn’s light ter tend ter tha Son’s body. Only, he whar not thar. Some thieves had snuck in and took him. Least ways, that’s how she seen things.

As she wept, she bent over ter look in ter tha tomb and seen a pair of angels in white, seated whar tha body of tha Son ought ter ‘ave been, one at tha head and tha other at tha foot. Now if ya know anything ’bout tha ark of tha covenant then ya know thar be a pair of angels atop of it. “Two cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover.” Exodus 25:20

“Tha cover . . .” that be our key as ter why them angels be seated on that empty burial slab. Tha Son done covered us with his blood so we kin live fer ever with him and Skipper.

Tha angels asked Mary, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and seen tha Son standing thar, but she doth not realize that it be him.

Tha Son asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he be tha gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Tha Son said to her, “Mary.”

She wheeled toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which be tha word fer “Teacher”).

Twice Mary be asked why tha tears? Nary a time did she answer. When asked who she be looking fer, she ne’er answered.

Be tha Son asking ya tha same question this day?  “Why tha tears? Who ya be searching fer?”

Sometimes folks jest need ter cry, but after we ‘ave shed a bucket full of tears, ask yer self who ya be looking fer and hoping ter find. At tha end our ourself we all face a black hole.

Ter day tha Son be calling yer name. Will ya answer? Will you go ter him? Will ya walk in ter tha light of life?

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Miracles from tha Cross

Finding Jesus

Miracles from tha Cross

The centurion heard his cry and saw how Jesus died. Mark 15:39. (Mark 15:33-39, Matthew 27:45-56, Luke 23:44-49)

Few like ter dwell on those moments be fer we go ter Davy Jones. Tha way we go out of this life kin be tha hardest thing we do. And yet when tha Son’s time came ter go back ter Skipper, he continued as be fer, doing tha work he be sent ter do. Here be five “miracles” tha Son done from tha cross.

First, he offered fer giveness ter them who put him ter death, who mocked him, who sneered at him. Ah man kin fer give folks of a good many things but often times that fer giveness comes a good while later, after tha pain be gone. Tha Son fer gave in tha midst of tha pain while fellers still be inflicting agony on him. His whar not be a sarcastic prayer fer intercession, but a legitimate plea ter Skipper that these fellers be fergiven. (Luke 23:34)

Second, he offered mercy and more ter tha robber who asked ter be remembered by tha Son. “I tell you the truth,” tha Son said. “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Fer that criminal, fer a feller who sinned his whole life and whar only minutes away from getting shoved off in ter eternal damnation, that whar a HUGE miracle. Why I dare say even all these years later that feller still tells folks ’bout that time tha Son showed him mercy at tha last moment.

Third, he drew one more feller ter him. Tha centurion at tha cross seen how tha Son suffered, heard him speak words of fergiveness not hate, offer mercy not judgement, plea with his Father in heaven and quote from Skipper’s Code of Conduct. When at last tha Son breathed his last and give up his ghost, tha centurion confessed, “Surely this Jesus was the Son of God.” Some years later tha Apostle Paul would write, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.'” (Romans 10:9) That be two fellers, tha robber and tha centurion, who whar rescued from tha depths of hell by tha example tha Son give when went out.

Fourth, he removed tha old way of worshipping and brought us back into fellowship with Skipper. Soon as tha Son breathed his last, tha earth shook, rocks split. In tha Son’s passing, Creation not jest groaned, it growled aloud as a testimony ter tha holy power of tha Son. But tha bigger miracle whar that the temple curtain whar torn in two from top ter bottom. This temple “veil” whar made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim worked into it by skilled craftsmen. It whar hung be fer the holy of holies  by gold hooks on an acacia-wood frame. Behind this veil be tha Holy of Holies and tha ark of the covenant. In tha writing ter tha Hebrews we read, “This ark contained the gold jar of manna [from when God’s people wandered in tha desert fer 40 years], Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.” No one be allowed ter enter tha Holy of Holies except tha High Priest, and even then he would only enter once a year. When tha earth shook, rocks split, and tha curtain veil fell, tha way ter Skipper be opened ter all. It be as if tha Son whar now our Holy Priest and tha way ter tha Father be through his death on the cross fer our sins.

Fifth, tha Son defeated death. Soon as tha Son gave up his ghost, tombs broke open and tha bodies of many holy people whar raised ter life. Why, within a day or so them who whar once dead went in ter tha holy city and appeared ter many folks. On his deathbed, which be an old rugged cross beam, tha Son:

  • Fer gave
  • Showed mercy
  • Drew others ter tha Father
  • Restored relationships
  • Created new life

May it be that in tha final moments of our life Skipper gives us time, even in our pain, ter fer give, show mercy, draw one more ter tha Father, restore broken relationships, and create new life in those destined fer destruction.