Category: Gospels
The True Vine!
Scripture reading for May 26th: John 15:1-27
The teaching of Jesus about the Vine would have been a familiar theme to students of the Old Testament. In Isaiah 5:1-7 we have a prophetic song of the vineyard that spoke of Israel as the vineyard of the Lord and the men of Judah as His delightful plant. (Isaiah 5:7) God’s complaint was that the vine of Israel was unfruitful in obedience to the Lord because they broke His commands. Jesus, in this last night of teaching, stated that He was the true Vine and that His disciples were the branches.
“I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.” This parable was very easy to understand in the Hebrew culture and in many cultures around the world because grapes are grown in many places. God is the Gardener and Jesus is the True Vine because He is the only begotten Son of God. He came in perfect obedience to the Father and would bear much fruit. God as owner of the Vineyard is looking for fruit and prunes the vine for maximum fruitfulness.
“I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to My Father’s glory, that you produce much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” (John 14:5-8) Jesus stressed the importance of abiding in Him. It was only through a relationship with Him that they would produce fruit. They would have access to ask the Father for whatever they needed, and God would grant it. What a promise to those who stayed attached!
Take Jesus at His Word!
Scripture reading for May 6th: John 4:43-54
Jesus was never one to do miracles just to satisfy someone’s curiosity. He knew each person and what they needed to help them with faith. He sometimes surprised people with His comments and offended others. In today’s reading, Jesus makes a strong statement to a royal official seeking healing for his son.
Jesus left the Samaritan village where He had ministered to the woman at the well, and headed for Galilee and His home town. Jesus noted that a prophet had no respect among the people He grew up with. Upon arrival, a certain ruler came to Jesus with a desperate request. He had a son who was sick and near death. He believed that Jesus could come and heal his boy. “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.” (John 4:48-50)
This royal official was not deterred at Jesus comment about miraculous signs. He was not seeking a sign, but needed a miracle to spare his son. He was desperate to have Jesus come and touch this son. He ignored the remark about the signs and Jesus honored his faith with a word of knowledge. His son would live and not die! This man exercised faith by “taking Jesus at His word”. “Consequently, faith comes by hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
Upon arrival at his home, this ruler found his son had recovered and that the recovery began at the exact hour he had received the word from Jesus. This truth brought faith to the whole household and all came to trust in Jesus Christ! Jesus had done this miracle so that this man and his family could come to faith. They were not curiosity seekers or just looking for something to excite them. They sought Jesus for a recovery for this son and their faith was rewarded!
This story teaches us the simple truth of trusting the word of Jesus. Jesus honors faith and He speaks a word to us that strengthens our faith. Miracles can help people to trust in Jesus. We should always seek the Lord for His miraculous work to flow through us. Take Jesus at His word! Miracles are still happening!
The One and Only!
Scripture reading for April 30th: John 1:1-28
John was the disciple whom Jesus loved and the youngest of the apostles. John was the brother of James and together they were known as the ‘Sons of Thunder’. John was pictured in all pictures of the Last Supper with his head on Jesus’ breast. Jesus assigned responsibility for His mother to John in His final statements from the cross. John knew Jesus from being in the inner circle of the apostolic band.
John’s clear purpose in writing his Gospel is stated in John 20:31, “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” John uses many different descriptive words, personal encounters and miracles to prove his point. He wanted everyone who read his account to believe! He knew that in believing, they would find eternal life and the salvation that Jesus made available to whosoever would believe!
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4) This introduction identifies Jesus as the ‘Word’ that spoke creation into being from nothing! (Genesis 1:1-3) This ‘Word’ was with God at the beginning of creation. In Him was life and light for men. Apart from God’s Word, man cannot know or understand where he came from or why he is here. The eternal ‘Word’ reveals all that is hidden in darkness.
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) Jesus Christ is the ‘Word’ of God that was made flesh. He is the incarnate Word, existing from before the foundations of the world. He is the truth in living form and came to reveal that truth to mankind. When He was revealed, He showed forth the glory of His Father. There is none like Jesus! He alone is the unique ‘Son of God’. He was begotten by the Father supernaturally in the womb of Mary. He is the Truth and the Life! (John 14:6) He is the only way to God. He alone could bear our sins and save us!
Buy a sword?
Scripture reading for April 25th: Luke 22:35-54
“Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in Me. Yes, what is written about Me is reaching its fulfillment.” (Luke 22:35-37)
As Jesus approached the Garden of Gethsemane where His final hours would be excruciatingly painful. He reminded His disciples about their mission and His supply of all their needs. But then He told them of their need to use what they had to care for themselves. This curious passage has caused many questions over the years. Why would Jesus tell them to buy swords? Was He advocating the use of force to defend themselves? Jesus knew what was ahead, even that very night! He knew and foretold how these disciple’s faith would be shaken and Peter and the rest would deny Him.
At the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked them to pray that they not enter into temptation and He withdrew from them a short ways and knelt down to pray. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:42-44) The spiritual conflict was intense. He was wrestling in prayer, knowing that the final fulfillment of what was written must take place. In order to accomplish His mission of saving lost sinners, He must be numbered with the transgressors and die for their sins! Great drops of blood came from His body as He earnestly prayed!
The disciples slept, Jesus woke them as Judas appeared with the band of soldiers. Judas betrayed His Master with a kiss, and the disciples wondered if the time for swords had come. One cut off the high priest’s servants ear! “But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.” (Luke 22:51) The swords were not for this night! Jesus must finish His mission! What an interesting passage to ponder!
No one knows the day or hour!
Scripture reading for March 7th: Mark 13:14-37, Psalms 50:1-23, Proverbs 10:29-30
Mark’s account of Jesus’ teaching as they left the temple emphasized the need to be watchful in the last days. Jesus was asked by Peter, James, John and Andrew to explain when the temple would be torn down and the sign that these things would be fulfilled. (Mark 13:1-3) They were interested in understanding when the massive stones in the temple would be torn down and what things would precede that happening.
“Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name claiming ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen but the end is still to come.” (Mark 13:5-7) The first thing to watch out for was deception. The last days would be marked by false teachers and people claiming to be “Christ”. They would draw people after them who would be deceived. They would be gullible because they had never been born again and received the true Christ. They had never repented of sins and obtained Christ’s cleansing mercy through faith.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word will never pass away. No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You don’t know when that time will come.”(Mark 13:32-33) God has warned His people by His word, which will never pass away or change. Part of the deception would be people or religions that set the time of Christ’s coming. The Jehovah’s Witnesses have set the time of Jesus’ coming at least four times and been wrong. Many have been disillusioned by the setting of dates.
In fact, Jesus said that even He did not know the day or the hour, only the Father knew that timing! In other words, the end could come “in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If He comes suddenly, do not let Him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'” (Mark 13:35b-37) The best thing we can do is be ready regardless of when it might be. Worry is a sin, but watchfulness is obedience to Christ! Jesus is coming back! We must prepare and watch out!
Jesus watches the offering!
Scripture reading for March 6th: Mark 12:38-13:13, Psalms 49:1-20, Proverbs 10:27-28
“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people came and threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty, put in everything–all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)
Does God care what we give to Him? Jesus went to the temple near the end of His life on earth and sat watching people as they gave. There were many coming who had money and they put in large amounts. This was not wrong or evil, but they could afford to give of their excess. A poor widow came and put in a very small amount. Jesus seemed to know all about her and that she had given all that she had to live on.
This so impressed Him, that He called the disciples to come and look. He explained to them that this widow had put in more than any others in God’s eyes. God values sacrifice! When we give with a right heart and motive, our offerings are noticed by God. The amount of sacrifice is also noted by Jesus. How much of what we give is truly sacrificial in honor of God. Do we give in faith that God alone is our source and will care for us even if we give Him all we have to live on?
Let me ask you a tough question. If Jesus were watching you as you give in the offering this week, what would He say about your giving and faith? Would you impress the Lord by your honoring of Him with what you are giving and the heart that you give with? Do you believe the word, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”? (Acts 20:35b) If you are ashamed by how you have to answer these questions, the good news is that you can change and do something. The only place we are commanded to test God is in the tithe and offering. (Malachi 3:10-12)
The most important commandment?
Scripture reading for March 5th: Mark 12:18-37, Psalms 48:1-14, Proverbs 10:26
Men are always trying to reduce the requirement to get into heaven to a simple formula. They seem to want to find the line that God requires and then get as close to it as possible and still maintain their freedom to do as they please. Instead we should be seeking complete obedience with joyful and thankful hearts!
“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked Him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. 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: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12: 28-31)
Jesus did not give this teacher one of the ten commandments that he may have been expecting. Instead, Jesus gave this man the greatest commandment. It is the law of love that God Himself set in place and which, if kept, can fulfill all the requirements of the ten commandments. Loving God involves keeping the commandments. “Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him.” (John 14:21) True love of God involves obedience to His commands. If we keep His commands, we will love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. This is the first five of the ten commandments. We will also love our neighbor as ourselves. This is the second half of the ten commandments.
Jesus commended the teacher when he agreed with His instruction. He told him that he was not far from the kingdom. (Mark 12:34) The last step needed would be to place faith in Jesus Christ. Confessing our sins to God and asking Him for mercy would bring the needed cleansing. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives us power to love God and our neighbor as God does. Have you repented of breaking God’s laws? Do you know you are in His kingdom (not just close)? Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Where did Jesus get His authority?
Scripture reading for March 4th: Mark 11:26-12:17, Psalms 47:1-9, Proverbs 10:24-25
“They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” (Mark 11:27-28)
Jesus had just cleansed the temple, overturning the tables of the money changers and teaching the people about God’s house being a house of prayer. This caused the religious authorities to begin looking for a way to kill Him. They feared Him because all the people were amazed at His teaching and were drawn to Jesus. They did not understand why Jesus felt that He had authority to take charge in their assigned domain of the temple. They were insecure and felt threatened and their worldly way of handling this was murder! This was in the face of the Son of God and directly opposed to the commandment of God that told them “Thou shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13)
These men came to Jesus and asked Him where He got His authority. “Who do you think you are?” would be a modern day translation of this confrontation. Jesus answered them with another question and told them He would reveal His source of authority if they could or would answer His question. “”John’s baptism, was it from heaven, or from men?” Tell Me.” (Mark 11:29b) These leaders discussed their possible answers. They could have said “from heaven” and Jesus would have asked them why they didn’t believe John’s word that Jesus was the “Lamb of God”. They feared saying that it was from men, because the people all believed that John was a prophet who spoke from God. So they simply avoided an answer and Jesus refused to give them an answer directly.
Jesus was really probing what they really believed and getting at the root of all faith. Who do you really believe that Jesus is? Where do you think Jesus got His authority? It comes down to a matter of faith and God will give us all the evidence we need to believe if we open our hearts and want to know. If we are really plotting Jesus’ destruction, even the truth standing in front of us won’t matter! Have you settled this question in your heart? Today is a good time!
A House of Prayer!
Scripture reading for March 3rd: Mark 11:1-25, Psalms 46:1-11, Proverbs 10:23
When Solomon dedicated the temple about a thousand years before Jesus visited it, he had dedicated the temple as a place where people could seek the Lord for healing, forgiveness, and deliverance. The presence of the Lord was in the midst of the nation, with God dwelling there in the Holy of Holies. People were to come there with their needs and seek God in humble prayer. “If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that My Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” (2nd Chronicles 7:14-16) God watched over the temple and it was consecrated as a place of prayer!
When Jesus came into the temple on the first day of Passover week, He came riding on a colt of a donkey with the people crying out, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-10) He entered the temple as the Son of God and with His eyes He saw and observed what was happening there. The sight must have grieved Jesus for He went away to pray overnight.
The next day He returned, entered the temple, and began driving out those who were buying and selling sacrifices and changing money. He overturned tables and caused quite a stir with His righteous anger. He taught them, “Is it not written: “‘My House will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of robbers.'” (Mark 11:17) Jesus quoted from Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 where the prophets had re-emphasized the role of God’s house and rebuked the people for using it for their own selfish purposes.
Now we are the temple of God and God dwells in our midst! Take a moment to think about your life. Is your life marked by prayer, not only for yourself, but all nations? Let your house be marked by prayer! Remember, the same God lives in you today!
Shout to the Lord!
Scripture reading for March 2nd: Mark 10:32-52, Psalms 45:1-17, Proverbs 10:22
How desperate are you to get the Lord’s attention? Would you be willing to make a scene to get Jesus to stop and touch you? Do you have to embarrass yourself or others to get His attention? In today’s reading, Mark describes an incident where a man was desperate enough to do whatever he could to reach Jesus.
“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”” (Mark 10:46-48)
Bartimaeus was blind and had to resort to begging to meet the needs that he had for life. When begging, a person’s pride must be set aside and they must humbly ask for mercy. A haughty person finds little sympathy and one who is too shy to even ask will have little chance of receiving. Bartimaeus learned to stay alive by asking people for help. He was blind and desperate and willing to ask!
When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he began to shout out his request for mercy. His blindness did not hinder him from knowing that Jesus was a ‘Son of David’, able to touch and heal him. His loud cries caused others to try and quiet him, but he pressed on in by shouting even louder! This ‘blind’ man could see with inner eyes of hope that Jesus was his only hope and would not be deterred!
Jesus called for him to come and Bartimaeus jumped to his feet and hurried to the Master. Jesus asked him what he wanted from Him. “The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go”, said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”(Mark 10:51-52) Jesus had the man say exactly what he wanted. Sometimes people with disabilities only want money or provision, they do not want healing. We must be desperate for wholeness and clearly ask! If you have a need today, why not shout to the Lord? He is nearby!