Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many."
(Mark 14.23-24 NRSV)
In his book THIRTEEN DAYS TO GLORY author Lon Tinkle tells about Colonel Jim Bowie and the brave defenders of the Alamo. That sacred Texas shrine had only 183 defenders against a huge army led by Santa Anna. On March 3, 1836, two hours before dusk, the Mexican guns quit firing. William Travis lined his men up in a single line inside the Alamo. He told them no reinforcements were coming and that their destiny was sealed. "Our doom is certain," Travis told the weary men. Travis then pulled his sword from its sheath and drew a line in the dirt floor in front of them and asked every man who was determined to stay in the Alamo and die to cross the line.

Topley Holland was the first man across the line. Others quickly followed--Daniel Cloud, Micajah Utry, Davy Crockett. Colonel Jim Bowie was sick and unable to cross the line so he called for help and four men sprang to the side of his cot and lifted him over the line as the other men cheered. On March 6, the Alamo fell and the brave defenders within her walls died. They made the choice that counted most and the Republic of Texas was born out of their shed blood.

That night in the Upper Room was also about shed blood--Christ's blood shed for us--and our willingness to shed our blood to follow him.

There are too many Christians who glibly say, "Oh, yes, we follow Jesus." But they know nothing of sacrifice--nothing of service. If you choose Jesus, you will need to make a very special kind of commitment.

Dear God, guide me so that I may not take lightly my commitment to Jesus. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

Help Promote Devotions.Net | Help Feed The Hungry

| Home | Bible | Devotions | Humor | Visitors |