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Cast Of Characters Book Free Book Excerpt

Posted on Nov 18, 2008 at 02:58 PM

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Permanent Link: http://www.tangle.com/maxlucado932rf/blog/view/25769

It was like discovering the prize in a box of Crackerjacks or spotting a little pearl in a box of buttons or stumbling across a ten dollar bill in a drawer full of envelopes.
It was small enough to overlook. Only two words. I know I'd read that passage a hundred times. But I'd never seen it. Maybe I'd passed over it in the excitement of the resurrection. Or, since Mark's account of the resurrection is by far the briefest of the four, maybe I'd just not paid too much attention. Or, maybe since it's in the last chapter of the gospel, my weary eyes had always read too quickly to note this little phrase.

But I won't miss it again. It's highlighted in yellow and underlined in red. You might want to do the same. Look in Mark, chapter 16. Read the first five verses about the womens' surprise when they find the stone moved to the side. Then feast on that beautiful phrase spoken by the angel, "He is not here, He is risen," but don't pause for too long. Go a bit further. Get your pencil ready and enjoy this jewel in the seventh verse (here it comes). The verse reads like this: "But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee."
Now tell me if that's not a hidden treasure.

If I might paraphrase the words, "Don't stay here, go tell the disciples," a pause, then a smile, "and especially tell Peter, that He is going before you to Galilee."

What a line. It's as if all of heaven had watched Peter fall - and it's as if all of heaven wanted to help him back up again. "Be sure and tell Peter that he's not left out. Tell him that one failure doesn't make a flop."
Whew!
No wonder they call it the gospel of the second chance.
Not many second chances exist in the world today. Just ask the kid who didn't make the little league team or the fellow who got the pink slip or the mother of three who got dumped for the "pretty little thing."

Not many second chances. Nowadays it's more like , "It's now or never." "Around here we don't tolerate incompetence." "Gotta get tough to get along." "Not much room at the top." "Three strikes and you're out." "It's a dog eat dog world!"
Jesus had a simple answer to our masochistic mania. "It's a dog eat dog world?" He would say. "Then don't live with the dogs." That makes sense, doesn't it? Why let a bunch of failures tell you how much of a failure you are?
Sure you can have a second chance.

Just ask Peter. One minute he felt lower than a snake's belly and the next minute he was the high hog at the trough. Even the angels wanted this distraught netcaster to know that it wasn't over. The message came loud and clear from the celestial Throne Room through the divine courier. "Be sure and tell Peter that he gets to bat again."

Those who know these types of things say that the Gospel of Mark is really the transcribed notes and dictated thoughts of Peter. It this is true, then it was Peter himself who included these two words! And if these really are his words, I can't help but imagine that the old fisherman had to brush away a tear and swallow a lump when he got to this point in the story.
It's not every day that you get a second chance. Peter must have known that. The next time he saw Jesus, he got so excited that he barely got his britches on before he jumped into the sea of Galilee. It was also enough, so they say, to cause this backwoods Galilean to carry the gospel of the second chance all the way to Rome where they killed him. If you've ever wondered what would cause a man to be willing to be crucified upside down, maybe you now know.

It's not every day that you find someone who will give you a second chance - much less someone who will give you a second chance every day.
But in Jesus Peter found both.

maxlucado932rf
  Posted by: maxlucado...

 
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johnsej Avatar
 

johnsej

Posted 11.19.08

 

Awesome! Once again my brother Max, you bring tears to my eyes when you uncover a little morsel I too had missed! Such good news for all of us 'losers!' I praise God for you - may you continue in His blessings.

your sister in Christ,
Julie
Alabama

 
RanJanPal Avatar
 

RanJanPal

Posted 11.19.08

 

So true, thanks for this......

 
rahooks Avatar
 

rahooks

Posted 11.19.08

 

Thank you for allowing the Lord to show you this treasure from His word. The truth I have just read was the very words I need to hear from the Father.

 
mrsladybug Avatar
 

mrsladybug

Posted 11.19.08

 

This is true revelation! I, like Peter, Have been in that place where I wondered if there were any more chances to make a difference. I cried when I read this, realizing that I serve a Jesus who is eager to give us all second chances!All we have to do is ASK! Thanks Max!

You gave me something new to hang onto, even though ,I too, Have read it many times! MJ, Camp Hill, Pa

 
kawinina Avatar
 

kawinina

Posted 11.19.08

 

This is such a great thing to know. I think many times it is us who puts all the pressure on ourselves, that we need to try to be perfect..and we would beat ourselves up for any errors. But to Him, it's just a silly mistake which cannot cover or even lessen His eternal love.
Thanks so much brother :)

 
daniel74b Avatar
 

daniel74b

Posted 11.19.08

 

I am inspired. Thanks.

 
johnsmileyjr Avatar
 

johnsmileyjr

Posted 11.19.08

 

Thanks, I needed just those words! I have my trusty marker and red pen ready to mark that passage. Wonderful words to lift us up from our stumbles!

 
Togacut Avatar
 

Togacut

Posted 11.19.08

 

Thanks Max. I was given one of your books to read by a wonderful woman, it provided the open door to Christ that was in my own heart. The Lord truly has a jewel in you.
This book will join all the others I have written by you. Continue to do the Lord's work, you have a HUGE gift in Heaven.

 
cindy57 Avatar
 

cindy57

Posted 11.19.08

 

I tell you,her sins-and they are many-have been forgiven,so she has shown me much love.But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love."Then Jesus said to the woman,"Your sins are forgiven."
Luke7:47
We love God because he first loved us,amen!Thanks for sharing this with all of us shady characters!

 
DrSew Avatar
 

DrSew

Posted 11.19.08

 

Max, I smiled all the way through! God is so awesome and so all in all -- if He says we are forgiven and new, guess what, WE ARE! And thanks for sharing this pearl - I had not really 'seen' it but I smiled as I began to 'get it'! I had come to a similiar view from the interaction between Jesus and Peter when Jesus came to them. I am still smiling and will get the book, you are a blessing always!

DrSew

 
joycelovesjesus Avatar
 

joycelovesjesus

Posted 11.19.08

 

Thank you for that golden nugget.I shutter to think where I would be if God hadn't given me second chances!I appreciate the love that you have for God's Word and for all the wonderful books you have written.They have touched my heart deeply.Our Wednesday night class at church is doing a study on 3:16.It is amazing how much God loves us!Keep writing,Max,and we will keep reading!God Bless.

 
hytec20 Avatar
 

hytec20

Posted 11.19.08

 

Amen. God has given us the gospel of second chances so that in Him we'll put our hope and trust. Praise the LORD! Thanks Max for sharing your faith and love through writing. Gdo has touched a lot of hearts through you.

 
imurdreamingtree Avatar
 

imurdreamingtree

Posted 11.19.08

 

Speechless...you by far have been my favorite author since I read "The Glory of Christmas". I am the mother of 5 sons I have raised alone... now age 31 to 17. The last two sons have been beyond any challenge I have yet to know. Today...I almost took my life...and yes I am a Christian. I have been since age 16 and I am now 53. Its after midnight and go to the computer and there is an email from God Tube ...I tried not to open it, but no other mail would open. God knew how very much I needed to hear what you had written. Thank you Brother Max for continuing to be the instrument of God that you are.
A daughter of the Master...Jennia

 
jasuzanne Avatar
 

jasuzanne

Posted 11.20.08

 

second chances...wow....i fell whenever i had an affair with a member of the worship team in my church (years ago, 11), and i go to a different church now, cos i got divorced from my then husband, the affair finished after 1 year, and i know God forgives me, because i asked Him to, but i still have this nasty feeling inside me, (just maybe he hasnt, and maybe he didnt really hear me ask) but i know it's the devil saying that..I know I am forgiven for adultery, Jesus Christ said He forgave me...the devil never lets me forget...Anybody thinking of adultery..dont do it...get your eyes back on Jesus..go and find someone to talk to...There is now no comdenation for those who are in Christ..I am forgiven...thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for my sins..

 
godseed08 Avatar
 

godseed08

Posted 11.20.08

 

I just lost all my words. Glory to our Lord Jesus Christ.

 
PaulHieserusbh8 Avatar
 

PaulHieserusbh8

Posted 11.21.08

 

Max, "a second chance everyday" is what people need to hear. Thank you for sharing this treasure!
Peace & grace,
Crossroads Band

 
GodChaser34 Avatar
 

GodChaser34

Posted 11.21.08

 

Praise the LORD for he is our joy! This is just wat i needed!Thanx

 
JulieStevens Avatar
 

JulieStevens

Posted 11.22.08

 

Thanks, I needed to read that very message today. God is so amazeing! He pulled me up out of the pits of Hell & saved my soul & my life. Its hard to belive that about 6 years ago I was a depressed, gothic body piercer who didn't belive, but hated the very thought of God. With God all things really are possible!

 
godsmiraclegirl333 Avatar
 

godsmiraclegirl333

Posted 11.24.08

 

Wow you are truly so blessed with GOD's Wisdom and Discernment! I must say, this is one of GOD's most profound revelation for us through you. GOD used one of your books 'Its Not About Me' to win me back. I was a backslider. I have an email subscription of your UpWords. You are a blessing to many. ALL THE GLORY BELONGS TO OUR GOD ALONE! GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY! P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens)

 
Awaiting Avatar
 

Awaiting

Posted 11.26.08

 

Max, thank you again and again for this wonderful inspiration. Your words and the Lord never cease to amaze me. I am a member of Oak Hills and miss seeing you.

 
savdnnoit Avatar
 

savdnnoit

Posted 12.18.08

 

I can put my own name in there, "go tell the disciples, and Susan..." Wow. I KNOW He's given me second chances.