Mark 13:31-37: 14:1-2 - Don't be Surprised!

The Lord said to his disciples, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Watch therefore -- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning -- lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Watch." It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth, and kill him; for they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be a tumult of the people.

Taken by Surprise!
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Jesus says His return is like a man who goes on a long journey.  Before he leaves, he gives everyone their assignment and expects them to be hard at work while he is gone and up until he returns.  How they must have been tempted to take their ease, sleep in, slack off in their work because, after all, the Master was no where to be seen. My Master is gone but promises to return and I believe Him.

Am I hard at work at what Jesus would have me do? Am I loving those around me, especially those under my own roof? Am I attentive to prayer and worship with God's people? Or do I sleep a little longer because  the Master has not yet returned. Yes, I should be on watch! I would not want to be taken by surprise at the Lord's return but, rather, waiting in eager expectation. Everyday is a day that could end with me giving account to the Master. Whether He returns or I go to Him, sooner or later, I must face Him.

O Lord, I do not know when You shall return. Help me to be hard at work at what You have given me to do.  I do not want to be embarrassed nor do I want to be counted as slothful.  Help me to be Your faithful servant. Amen.

Mark 13:24-31- Words that Endure

The Lord said to his disciples, "In those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."

Words of Jesus
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 Jesus promises that no matter will happen to heaven and earth, that His Words can be counted upon. Yes, the earth someday will be destroyed and yes, the heavens themselves will come to an end (at least that's what scientists say~ stars only burn for so long) yet, even when that happens, the Words of Jesus stand.  

I can trust what Jesus says.  When all is falling apart around me, I can survive because I trust in Jesus' Words.  Before the return of Christ, Jesus talks about great tribulations upon the earth but He warns His followers about it ahead of time so that they will not lose heart and despair. Rather, as the world despairs around them, the followers of Jesus can live in the Peace of Christ's Words.  

Your Words, O Christ, stand forever. May they be upon my heart and mind always and, this day, may I  meditate upon Your Holy Sayings. Amen.

Mark 13:14-23 - Flee and take nothing with you!

The Lord said to his disciples, "When you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by Daniel the prophet, set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything away; and let him who is in the field not turn back to take his mantle. And alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! Pray that it may not happen in winter. For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not shortened the days, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. And then if any one says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. False Christs and false prophets will arise and show signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take heed; I have told you all things beforehand.

Run! Don't Look Back!
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We are told to flee! When we see those things that are predicted by Daniel the Prophet, regarding what happens in the Temple. We are told to care about none of the things of this world but to not even stop at the house to grab a few things nor to turn around to pick up our coat.  For those things will some day perish but my soul will be forever. I should tend to those things that are eternal and not give too much of a care of those things that will fall apart.

Am I detached enough from the world where I wouldn't feel the need to "turn back and take (my) mantle?" I hope so for even though I will never see the destruction of the Jerusalem nor is there even a Temple there to see desolated, yet, in my own life, there will be a time when all that is material and of this world, just crumbles around me. It is good not to love those things for they perish.

But God is eternal. O Lord, help me to flee from the material things for a man's life is not made up of the things he owns but rather in his relationship to God and to those who bear the Image of God. Flee, o my soul, flee!

Mark 13:9-13 - Don't worry about What You are Going to Say.

The Lord said to his disciples, "Take heed to yourselves; for they will deliver you up to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say; but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved."

Megaphone by ~SidVicious08 on deviantART 

According to Jesus, tough times are coming.  Yet, it should not be my concern on what answer I should give for a defense for following Christ, if it comes to the point I am brought up before "governors and kings" for the sake of the Gospel.  Rather, a total reliance upon the Holy Spirit to give Wisdom is what I am commanded to do.  And the Holy Spirit will be faithful to ensure the right words are spoken.

And if I am to be in that situation, what of it? Surely, I must remain steadfast so that I can endure till the end. This can only come about by constant prayer.  While I am not in that situation now, can I not learn to trust the Holy Spirit to provide words for me when words are needed? I could spend hours thinking and writing and re-writing to get the words just right but, perhaps, a simple reliance upon God, coupled with an attitude of prayer, will help me when I am confronted with any who ask about "the reason for the hope" (I Peter3:15) that is within me.  After all, if I am to endure till the end, it shall only because I trust in God.

O Lord, help me to rely upon you daily-no, make that, minute by minute, for surely at any time I should be ready to give an account to those around me and to You, O Heavenly Father.  How I need your Holy Spirit constantly and it for Your Presensce I pray, Amen.

Luke 18:10-14 - Two men; only one Righteous.

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted

Humility in Prayer, so important
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 How important it is to remain humble.  The Pharisee, looking at his own accomplishments, seeing how he did so many good works, believed that these good works made him a righteous man.  He also believed that since he was so good compared to others, that he had a right to look his nose down upon those who he saw as inferior. That man was wrong. His works were as dung.

Yet, this tax collector knew his own sin. He never made a pretense to be good because he knew he wasn't. While the Pharisee looked at the tax collector and, thus, praying to himself, he felt himself exalted- the tax collector did not even consider the Pharisee but made all his supplications to God and, regarding himself, he believed he was the chief of sinners.  This attitude made him justified in the Eyes of God. The Pharisee, on the other hand, was not and, on the last day, that Pharisee will be surprised.

O Lord, make me humble like the tax collector. Truly, I am the chief of sinners but, trusting in Your Mercy, I can be justified.  Keep me in that attitude until my last breath, I pray, Amen.

Luke 19:1-10, AGAIN! - Meditation Re-tread

At that time, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost

Retreading can be for tires and for meditations
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This morning, I will be leading the devotions at the men' s prayer breakfast at my church. I have decided to talk about Zacheaus, something I meditated on last Sunday. Click here to read that post.  

I also listened to a sermon by Fr Patrick Reardon who preached on the same passage. I plan on sharing some of his points and insights into the text as well. Here  is that sermon.

So, since I will be praying/looking into that text again and putting it on my notes that I am taking with me to the prayer breakfast, I won't be typing anything about the Gospel Reading here today.

Keep me in prayer this morning as I share the Gospel.

Mark 13:1-8 - The Walls will come Tumbling Down

Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”

 

And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

 

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,

 

Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?

 

And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you.

 

For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.

 

But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.

 

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.

"Not One Stone Shall Be Left Upon Another..."
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The disciples, looking at the beauty of the Temple, never would have guessed that one day it would be all destroyed. Jesus knew, of course and wanted to warn His disciples that troubles were on their way.  How the disciples must have marveled when, in A.D. 70, Jesus' prediction about the Temple came to pass. How they must have thought that Jesus would return soon to set up His Kingdom.  But, All of these things are just the beginning of Sorrows.

Yes, Jesus is returning someday. But before that, there will be sorrows and trouble.  In our modern day you cannot help but feel a sense of doom, especially with the 24 hour news cycle. But we are not to lose hope, even if this is only the beginning of sorrows. The Saints of the past have always been detached from this world. They knew of a better Kingdom and waited for it. The world about them reeled in all it's bad news and lived in constant discomfort and worry. The Saints, however, knew better and acquired the Peace of the Holy Spirit, as buildings which were supposed to last forever, crumbled around them.

O Lord, let me not put my trust in the princes of this world who promise a measure of peace. Even if they deliver for a short time, it is inevitable that it will fail. Rather, let me trust in You. As Nation rises against nation and troubles abound, help me to acquire Your Holy Spirit, for only then will I have peace. Amen

Mark 12:38-44 - Giving a little bit, but all!

The Lord said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.

Won't buy much but could be great in God' eyes!
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Jesus draws a contrast between those who give from their whole heart and those who give to be showy. The religious leaders of his day liked dressing the part and looking the part and "spiritual hot stuff." They made sure that they had the seats of honor at any gathering, they relished being greeted in public with whatever titles of honor they were addressed with. They made sure their prayers were long (and public) so all would know just how close to God they were. And yet, in secret, they planned devious transactions, taking houses and money from widows. And when it came to giving, they gave large sums out of their wealth but they made sure people knew about it.  And then there's the widow....

She humbly comes with two coins which, really wouldn't have purchased her much and didn't really contribute a lot to the upkeep of the temple.  But she gave from her heart and she gave all.  She was like the monks and nuns who forsake all the world to follow Christ.  She called nothing her own.  But she relied upon God, trusting Him to provide for her since she had no husband.  The rich could count on their own riches but this poor widow had no riches to rely upon.  Yes, she reasoned, that God would be her provider and, in gratitude and humble faith, she gave all she had.  Jesus noticed and told His disciples that, in His Father's eyes, this woman gave more than the rich because she gave all.

How happy are the poor who trust in the Lord.  Am I poor? Not really. Yet, may I be poor of spirit, humbly giving all to the service of God.  I have little money, compared to those around me yet lots of money compared to the poor in other countries. I have little talents, not being a great speaker nor having a strong personality yet, that little bit, I should give over to God. This day, O Lord, may I give all to you! Amen.

Mark 12:28-37 - Must have Love!

At that time, one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that he is one, and there is no other but he; and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any question. And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, "How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, declared, 'The Lord said to my Lord,Sit at my right hand,Til I put your enemies under your feet.' 

David himself calls him Lord; so how is he his son?" And the great throng heard him gladly.

Love is Supreme!
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In this account, a scribe gets it right.  He agrees with Jesus that the greatest commandment is to Love God with all our being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. He goes on to say, this is more important than all the religious duties you can muster. Sacrifices and burnt offerings are nothing compared to just loving God and our neighbor.  Jesus, hearing the scribes answer, says, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."  That is to say, he is on the right track.

Going to Church, reading the Bible, having morning and evening prayers are all good things and would be the Christian equivalent of Sacrifices and burnt offerings  but all of these religious duties while truly beneficial in my relationship with God are rubbish if I do not show Love to God and and to my neighbor   In another place, Jesus talked with the pharisees  about how they neglected their own parents to pay money into the temple and Jesus remarked, "You ought to have done one, without neglecting the other." And, truly, I must do all the things that draw me into the Kingdom but if Love for God and for people is not there than jI am wasting my time here on earth.

O Lord, you showed the scribe that he was not far from the kingdom. May that be said of me as well. Today, as I pursue all my religious duties, May I remember to bathe them in love for You and my fellow man.  Amen.

Mark 12:18-27 - Missing the Point; Death is not Final

Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying:

 

Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.

 

Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring.

  

And the second took her, and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise.

  

So the seven had her and left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also.

 

Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife.

 

Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?

  

For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

  

But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?

 

He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken. 

Death is Not the End
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The Sadducees were trying to trip up Jesus with a trick question. To them, who did not believe in the resurrection, the case they were presenting to Jesus was proof enough that there was no resurrection. But, Jesus, as usual, shows up His enemies.  It's not that there will be no resurrection; rather, in the after life, their will be no marriage.  Jesus cuts right to the heart of the matter. The problem is the Sadducees did not know the Scriptures nor the power of God.  Now, they may beg to differ, since they were Sadducees and would be considered "experts" in the Torah. But it's one thing to know the contents of the Bible; it's quite another to live its contents.

The Sadducees missed the point completely. And their hearts weren't open to Jesus correction so, no doubt, they continued in their error. God is the God of the Living! It sounds to me that the part in the Creed which says "I believe....in the Communion of Saints" falls into this category.  Abraham is not dead. Isaac is not dead. Jacob is not dead. Neither are the Saints. Surely, they can intercede for me.

Wherever God is, there is life. Let me not miss the point of the Scriptures like the Sadducees did. Let me be open to Jesus' correction. And, may, this day, the Saints in heaven intercede for me. Amen.

Mark 12:13-17 - More than a Clever Answer

Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words.

  

When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

  

Shall we pay, or shall we not pay? But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.”

  

So they brought it. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

  

And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.

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The Pharisees put on a false face. They came to Jesus and pretended that they wanted the truth about a certain matter. They came as seekers, flattering Him who was to give the answer but they didn't really want to know the truth. They were just hoping that a difficult scenario presented to Jesus would be His undoing. For had He answered with a basic "Yes" we should pay taxes, then the people would despise Him as a traitor to God and to Israel   If Jesus answered, "No" to paying taxes, then those same flatterers would turn Him into the Roman authorities to have him arrested as a usurper. In the Pharisees minds, it was a win-win because Jesus could give no answer that would not harm Him.  But they were wrong.

Jesus cut right to the heart of the matter with an object lesson. Taking a coin which bore the image of Caesar, He said His now famous quote  "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."  They didn't ask for Jesus to mention God but Jesus, always interested in proclaiming the Truth, made sure His hearers knew what really was important. Such a statement put things in perspective for who cares about how much we have to pay to Caesar in taxes when the more important question is, what do we owe to God? I may owe the Federal and State Government a larger percentage of my income than I really want to pay but I know I owe God all that I  have and  all that I am.

This day, may I not be like the Pharisees who put on a false face to God but rather, may I approach Him in honesty and humility so that I can hear His wisdom.  The people marveled at Jesus' wise and clever answer. May I stand in wonder at His Word today.  May I ever be attentive to Jesus' wisdom. Amen.

Luke 19:1-10 - A Good Reason to Climb a Tree

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

 

Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.

 

And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.

 

So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.

 

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”

 

So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.

 

But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”

 

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

 

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;

 

for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Trees, Zachaeus style!
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Zacchaeus just wanted a glimpse of Jesus.   Like everyone else in the crowd, he knew that Jesus was someone special and was sent from God. So, he climbs a tree so he can see Jesus. Otherwise, being too short, he'd miss Him.  As Jesus processes into town, He notices Zacchaeus in the tree and calls him down by name.  Jesus invites Himself over his house and that day, salvation came to Zacchaeus.

I am in a crowd of people and Jesus seeks me out.  He calls me by name. Will I invite Him to my house today?  Will I receive Jesus as Zacchaeus did and respond to His call? Zacchaeus felt moved to give away half his goods in response to Jesus' visitation. What am I moved to do when Jesus visits me?  

Oh, the Mercy and Grace of God! Yes, He singles me out in the crowd and wants to visit salvation upon me. Yet, He being God, wants to do that for all! May I, this day, respond to His call so that salvation can come to my house and I, too, would be a son of Abraham. Amen.

Luke 17:3-10 - I know my place ~ I am a Servant!

Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

 

And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.

 

And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

 

So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

 

And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?

 

But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’?

 

Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.

  

So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.

A servant, serving on a subway!
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Being a servant is what I am called to be.  Jesus points out that after a servant has spent the whole day doing "servant things," he doesn't relax for the evening. Rather, he prepares the supper for his lord and then after all is said and done on his lord's behalf, the servant can tend to his own supper.  He does all of this without expecting the thanks of the one he serves. He just does it because it is his duty and he knows his place.

I need to cultivate an attitude like that.  I do not serve the Lord, looking for Kudos from Heaven. I don't seek an "attaboy" when I do those things I am supposed to do, like forgive those who sin against me or spend time in prayer.  These things I do because I am a servant of the Lord and I know my place.

Here's the thing, though. God, Who is rich in mercy, not only does acknowledge my "work" for Him but ends up serving me! He washed the feet of the disciples, a job for the lowest of servants and He lowers Himself by attending to my prayers. I don't deserve such attention and yet He gives it.  O Lord, thank you for your humility and my I ever be Your humble servant. Amen.

Mark 12:1-12 - Jesus is no Pebble; He is the Rock!

Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.

 

Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers.

 

And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

 

Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.

 

And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.

 

Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

 

But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’

 

So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.

 

Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others.

  

Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.

 

This was the LORD’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

  

And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away

Jesus is the Chief Stone!
photo by  Dave Levy, used under the creative commons license.
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The Stone spoken of in this passage is Jesus.  People, thinking they knew best when it came to building God's Kingdom on earth, totally bypassed this Stone but opted for more "logical choices." They rejected it because, in their eyes, that was not how the Kingdom of God was to be on this earth.  In their eyes, the kingdom would be built up by military conquest, political power (with themselves as head) and in all the ways the kingdoms of this earth are built up. But the Son of God came to establish the Kingdom in people's hearts, taking away the death inside of them and giving them New Life.

Yes, the Stone was rejected by men but it turned out to be the most important aspect in the Kingdom of God. Jesus is the Cornerstone and if I want to be in God's Kingdom, I must realize His preeminence.  The psalm Jesus quoted when He mentioned Himself as the Stone, says this in the verse immediately before - "I will give you thanks for you answered me; You have become my salvation." (Psalm 118: 21) Surely, Jesus is my salvation. This Stone rejected by the world is accepted by myself (and many others) for we know that this Stone is the most important in the Kingdom of God.

May I put Jesus first in what I try to build today. For if He is Cornerstone, then I will see His salvation in all that transpires today.  Others may reject Him, but I will not. For God, in His humility, clothed Himself in flesh  to bring us into His Kingdom.  The incarnation reveals God to us. The Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes! Amen.

Mark 11:27-33- God sees my heart clearly

Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him.

 

And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?”

  

But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things:

  

The baptism of John – was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.

 

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

 

But if we say, ‘From men’ – they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed.

 

So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

God doesn't need a magnifying class to see my heart
photo by  Rafael Anderson Gonzales Mendoza
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Jesus was asked a question: "What gives You the right to clear out the temple and end our money making project?" Well, the truth is, Jesus had every right to clear the temple because, after all, it is His house.  Being God, all the worship being offered in the temple, all the prayers being uttered, all the service and promises being rendered, were to Him.  But Jesus didn't answer directly.  Instead, He shrewdly turned it around so He wouldn't have to answer.  Why? Probably because the timing wasn't right to be seized and arrested which, an honest answer on His part, would have resulted in.

But notice how Jesus' shrewd answer exposed the hypocrisy of His detractors.  An honest answer from Jesus would have resulted in His arrest. An honest answer from the religious leaders would have exposed their lack of true religion.  The leaders did not recognize John as a prophet of God but the people did and would have stoned or ousted the religious leaders had their true views been exposed.  Jesus knew all of that and used it to His advantage. After all, Jesus knew the time for His Passion should be the Passover.

Jesus knew the hearts of the religious leaders. He also knows my heart. It is best not to be hypocritical as the  Chief Priest and Scribes were. (They were hypocritical because as religious leaders they really had no interest in God) Rather, it is better to recognize the work of God when it is plainly in my face. This requires that I keep open to His Spirit and remain humble of heart. Grant me a humble spirit, O Lord, to see the work of God in my life. Amen.

Mark 11:23-26 - The Error of Telelvangelist

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses

a televangelist preaching his heresy 
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Jesus says some amazing things- If you ask in faith for something, it will be given to you.  This verse has launched the career of many a television evangelist and has lined their own pockets with the meager earnings of those who are looking for a spiritual "get rich quick" scheme.  Surely, that is not what God intended nor can it be the whole of what Jesus is teaching.  Jesus could have anything He wanted in His earthly life yet He always wanted to please the Father.  It may seem like a trick God is playing on us. "Yes, you can have anything you want but only if it something according to My will." But, surely, isn't our goal in life to be in communion with God? And if we are seeking that, then the prayers we make- the things we ask for- will be in line with God's will.

Why is this so? Because faith is not a tool for me to get things. Faith is a relationship I have with God and if that is paramount then the things I ask for in prayer will be lined up with His will.  A man striving to following Christ would not pray for revenge on his enemies nor would he pray for opportunities to commit adultery.  Such a prayer would be repugnant to him.  Instead, he would pray as prompted by the Holy Spirit within him, for those things that are good.

When I was a teenager, I read one of those books by the "Name it and Claim it" televangelists (Jim Baker, it was and to his credit, has renounced his former ways and wrote a book called, "I Was Wrong.") I remember, after reading, "claiming;" a job that I thought I wanted.  I didn't get it.  I am grateful that I didn't. God, was teaching me that He wasn't my errand boy. Rather, He was interested in treating me like a son.

So God will grant me my heart's desire! May my desire always be for those things that are pleasing to Him. Amen.

Mark 11:11-23 - Refreshing Fruit!

And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

 

Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry.

 

And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.

  

In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.

  

So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

 

And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.

 

Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ “

 

And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.

  

When evening had come, He went out of the city.

 

Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

 

And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

 

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.

 

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says

Refreshing Fruit!
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On his way to Jerusalem, to worship the Father in His temple, Jesus noticed a fig tree. He had the reasonable expectation that this tree would bear fruit but it did not. Jesus pronounced: "This tree will never bear fruit again." Right after that, He went into Jerusalem and saw a spiritual death, much like the death He saw on the fig tree. The people of God were not bearing fruit. Instead, they were turning the spiritual into a money-making scheme.  This upset Jesus so much that He drove them out. Other Gospel accounts mention whips. Jesus was serious about this and He was mad!

Jesus has the right to expect fruit from mankind. But I really cannot concern myself with what the rest of the world does. I can only be responsible for what I can do. What are the things in my life that bear fruit? How do I treat those I live with? Like image bearers of God? Am I engaged in the proper Worship of God? Do I make time for Him?  The Didache, an ancient early 2nd century document, instructs Christians to pray  the Lord's Prayer at least 3 times a day. Do I even do that?

Jesus would have been refreshed, had He eaten a fig from that fruitless tree.  May Jesus be refreshed by the fruit in my life.  Amen.

Mark 10:46-52 - As Eager as Bartimaeus?

Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.

 

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 

Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”

 

And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

 

So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

 

Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

Eager Street! This is where I need to live!
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What a fantastic miracle. Simple and direct and exactly what Bartimaeus needed.Nothing would deter Bartimaeus from receiving what he needed from Jesus. Not the crowd telling him to be quiet. Not his own deficiency which could make him fearful of falling as he approached Jesus.  The Scriptures said that Bartimaeus threw aside his cloak when he was summoned by Jesus.  Why? Because he was of single purpose and cared for nothing in this life except to see Jesus and beg Him for his request of sight.

Bartimaeus is a picture of earnestness. Nothing keeps him from being with Jesus. Can the same be said for me?  Do I discard the things of this world as easily as Bartimaeus discards his cloak?  For I may not be physically blind but surely spiritual blindness afflicts me more than I realize. Day by day, I need to receive sight. So I have to run to Christ, ignoring the crowd who would hinder me and seek my healing. And Christ is more than eager to heal me.
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O Lord, this day, may I eagerly seek you and your healing for my spiritual blindness.  Be of good cheer, O soul, Rise, He is calling you!