Even the most righteous of men (other than Christ) will fail or lapse. Thus did King Hezekiah as the pressures of Assyria beat down upon him and all Jerusalem. Yet the propaganda of the mouthpiece of Assyria in the end, did not halt a king and his people's trust in the LORD.

Even the strongest of the disciples, Peter, denied Christ. This is the problem with man - he is weak and depraved. Apart from God's mercy, he cannot stand even before the smallest of dangers. Praise be to God that Christ and the Holy Spirit intervene on our behalf!

The day which began at sunset and the institution of the Lord's Supper, continued through our Savior wrestling in prayer in the garden, now takes a turn with the betrayal of Judas, the abandonment of the disciples and the Kangaroo Court at the high priest's house. Through all the darkness, Jesus maintained His willingness to submit to the Father's will and maintain self-control as He testified to the truth.

After a terrible term of wicked King Ahaz and amidst the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel due to their unfaithfulness to the LORD, an unlikely ruler appears - Hezekiah. His reign is nothing less than another "David" according to the author of 2 Kings. What wonder that God would send such a man in such a time!

The sad story of colonists sent into Samaria and their being deceived by a Jeroboam-cult priest rather than evangelized by a faithful priest of the LORD is on full display here. The repercussions of syncretism are both great and discouraging - then and now!

Jesus prepared His disciples not only to celebrate the historical redemption of Israel out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt but He also prepared them to experience betrayal and to understand eternal redemption.

Mark seems to intentionally draw a comparison between the devotion of a woman pouring expensive perfume on him and His enemies who desire to kill Him (including the betraying Judas). What is our passion? Is it to rid Christ and all He stands for from our lives or to embrace Him and be "all in" for Him?

Like a hammer continuously pounding is the list of evidence which indicts Israel, provokes the LORD to anger and results in the judgment meted out through Assyria. Failing to repent bears consequence and God's judgment is terrifying!

The cosmic shift of power that came with the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem in 70 AD cannot be underestimated. And yet, neither can our readiness for the return of Christ. Stay awake!

Sermon from 33rd Stated Meeting of Pee Dee Presbytery of the PCA hosted by Faith PCA Myrtle Beach.