Category: Gospels
The anointing!
Scripture reading for October 2oth: Luke 3-6
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” “Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:18-21
Not much is recorded about the life of Jesus from the time He was twelve until He was baptized by John at the age of thirty. We know that He worked with Joseph part of that time in their carpenter shop. He took part in normal family life and community life in the town of Nazareth. Can you imagine eating off of a table that Jesus had made? Or using an ox yoke that He had crafted?
At the proper time, Jesus went down to the Jordan River to where John the Baptist was baptizing. John had spoken of one who would come after him whose sandals he was not worthy to untie. When John saw Jesus, he immediately knew that He was this One! (John 1:29) Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove. A Voice from heaven declared: “You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22) How these words should speak to each of us who are adopted into God’s household! Jesus was then led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil for forty days. Each time Satan tempted Him, He successfully resisted because of the Spirit and God’s Word.
When he arrived in Nazareth at His home synagogue, He was invited to read from the scroll of Isaiah. The Spirit had anointed Him to preach the Good News and proclaim freedom to all who would hear. He was anointed to heal and deliver the blind and oppressed. He was to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. As they listened, Jesus was the fulfillment! (Luke 4:2) Through faith in Jesus Christ, the anointing and infilling of the Holy Spirit is available to us today!
Mary, the mother of Jesus!
Scripture reading for October 19th: Luke 1-2
I have a godly mother and am so thankful and blessed! My mother has a close walk with the Lord. She was faithful to read her Bible and teach her children. She was the Sunday School superintendent in our church as I grew up. Now 89 years young, she still joyfully serves her family and others by her godly example. She faithfully calls each of her many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren on their birthdays and sings to them a birthday prayer pointing them to Jesus! What a blessing now and to future generations!
Luke tells the story of two godly mothers who are key players in God’s work of salvation. Elizabeth is older and beyond the time of having children when God breaks into her life with a word from an Angel. This angel came to Zechariah, her husband, as he was offering incense before the Lord. He was told that his wife would have a son and his name was to be “John”. (A great name!) This son would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah. He would turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and prepare the people for the Lord. (Luke 1:13-17) As the angel predicted, Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months.
Mary was a virgin, engaged to be married. Gabriel, an angel sent to her by God, announced that she would bear a child who would be called the “Son of the Most High.” Mary humbly asked how this could be since she was a virgin. The angel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would conceive the child who would be the “Son of God”. Mary’s response was a picture of faith for all of us. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38)
This new mother had the joy of carrying Jesus Christ from conception to birth and then raising Him in her home. These women had the privilege of working with God to bring about His plan of salvation for all mankind. Their faith and obedience was a blessing to their children and families and has impacted each of us and countless millions around the world! Let’s say with Mary, the mother of Jesus, “I am the Lord’s servant.”
These signs will follow!
Scripture reading for October 18th: Mark 14-16
Mark’s Gospel told of Jesus Christ healing, casting out demons and preaching the Gospel to His own people. Jesus particularly sought out those who were lost and willing to listen. He gathered disciples who would be willing to leave all, follow Him and learn His ways. After sending them out, He would evaluate their work and encourage or correct them.
“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” …”Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.” Mark 16:15-18, 20.
This Gospel’s closing words are a call to Jesus’ followers to continue the work of God. They were to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit who would give them the power that was needed to be His witnesses. (Acts 1:8) Then they were to go and preach. As they preached, they were to act under the authority of the name of Jesus Christ. In His name supernatural signs would accompany the preaching of the Word. Demons would be cast out and sick people would be healed. People would be baptized in the Holy Spirit and would speak with new tongues. The disciples would have supernatural protection from attacks of venomous snakes or people trying to poison them.
These first disciples obeyed by going out into all the world preaching the Gospel. As they prayed for the sick and demon possessed, the promised signs of Christ followed their ministry! If you are seeking miracles, signs and wonders, the best place to find them is when you obey God’s command to go and preach! Are you willing to act in faith and experience the supernatural following your preaching and prayer? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
Mountain-moving faith!
Scripture reading for October 17th: Mark 11-13
In 1995 my son Marshal and I went on a study trip to Israel. While in Israel, we visited Bethany and walked up the road that went over the Mt. of Olives to Jerusalem. It was a walk of 2-3 miles that made this portion of scripture come alive in a different way!
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived in Bethany and Jesus often stayed with them. Jesus had come to Jerusalem to prepare for Passover week on Sunday, the first day of the week that we know as “Palm Sunday”. After riding into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey, He returned to Bethany for the night. The next morning He walked back over the Mt. of Olives and was hungry. Seeing a fig tree, He went to find early fruit. He found none and stated that no one would ever eat fruit from that tree again. He went on to the temple and did a cleansing job there that caused quite a stir. The next morning they went by the fig tree and it had withered from the roots! (Mark 11:20-21)
Mark 11:22-25 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, that whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Here is what we learned by walking where Jesus walked: There was still a fig grove on the Mt. of Olives in 1995. From that location one could see Bethlehem and a place called the “Herodium” where King Herod had moved a mountain to build his fortress! He took one hill and put it on top of another using thousands of slave laborers over ten years. In the distance the Dead Sea glistens in the valley below. When Jesus spoke that parable, He had an object lesson for his disciples! With faith in God, moving mountains is easy! Take time to meditate on these verses from Mark’s Gospel and put them into practice! Let your faith move the mountains in your life!
If you can believe!
Scripture reading for October 16th: Mark 8-10
As a Christian, have you ever faced a situation that was beyond your spiritual ability to know what to do? In today’s reading, we have the story of a man with a son who had an evil spirit that was trying to kill the boy. This boy was often thrown to the ground, into the fire, and foamed at the mouth and became rigid. The father had brought his son to Jesus’ disciples for deliverance, but they could do nothing.
“O, unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” (Mark 9:19) Jesus cried out from the depths of His being! He had spent many hours with these men and showed them the power of faith and of words. They were being ruled by sight! As the boy was brought before Him, the spirit caused another seizure to occur. Jesus asked the boy’s father how long he had been like this and he replied that his son had been that way from childhood. The man asked Jesus if He could help. “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Mark 9:23 “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”” Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, it left the boy and he was healed!
The disciples were perplexed as to why they had failed. Jesus explained to them that this kind of demonic activity could only be defeated by prayer. (Mark 9:29) At this point, we should stop and think about what has happened. Jesus called His followers to take up their cross and follow Him. He lived a life of prayer and of complete submission to His Father. He wanted us to know that by faith, all things are possible. When we are faced with an impossible situation, prayer (and fasting) often is the only way to victory. If we lack faith, we must seek to find His word on whatever obstacle we face. Faith always brings the victory!
A scriptural prayer is found on the lips of the boy’s father! Jesus’ answer to him had brought faith but he needed to drive out the unbelief! He saw the salvation of God because of his faith and Jesus’ mercy. May we enjoy growing in faith and experience His mercy in our lives today!
Jesus, please leave!
Scripture reading for October 15th: Mark 4-7
We who love Jesus can’t envision asking Him to depart from us! And Jesus wants to be with us as well! He came to earth to seek out and save lost people. (Luke 19:10) In our reading today, Jesus was on a mission that required crossing the Sea of Galilee with His disciples to find a very lost person.
After ministering to a crowd all day, Jesus told His disciples that they should go to the other side of the lake. They got in boats and Jesus got in the stern, found a cushion and went to sleep. As they crossed the lake in the night, a furious wind arose that threatened to swamp the boat. The disciples excitedly woke Jesus, pleading for help. Jesus rebuked the wind and waves and a calm suddenly fell upon them. He chastened them for their fear and lack of faith. (Mark 4:35-41)
When they got across the lake, a man with an evil spirit came from among some tombs to meet Jesus. He had chains on his hands and feet and looked like a madman. As He saw Jesus, he ran to Him and fell on his knees begging not to be tortured. The man’s name was “Legion” because of the large number of demons in him. As Jesus rebuked the evil spirits, they entered a herd of over 2000 pigs, causing them to rush over a cliff into the sea and drown!
The man was delivered, set free from the bondage, and in his right mind! (Mark 4:14-17) The people of the region, who depended on the pigs for their sustenance, were terrified and angry. They came to Jesus and asked Him to leave their region. Mark records that Jesus got into the boat to leave, and the delivered man asked to come along. Jesus sent him back to tell others in the region what the Lord had done for him.
As we reflect on this story, we are first reminded of how Jesus loves and cares for His own disciples. He’s always with us, even when we think He might be sleeping! Second, Jesus loves to find someone who needs help. He will go through water, storm, and forces of hell to reach a needy soul. Last, those who are into themselves are threatened by Jesus’ presence. May the Lord give us more insight into His marvelous grace!
Who can forgive sins?
Scripture reading for October 13th: Mark 1-3
Mark’s Gospel is concise and active. It is alive with the Good News of God here with us and in love with us. This revelation is found in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Son of Man! Mark wastes little time with preliminaries of the Jewish history of the Christ and prophesies of His birth. He gets right down to the action of Jesus living among His people and loving them by teaching, healing, and casting out devils. He ate with the people and told them stories that opened up for them the kingdom of heaven and their own need for a relationship with the Father.
In Capernaum, a crowd gathered around a house where Jesus was preaching. A group of men brought a friend who was paralyzed to Jesus for healing. Because of the crowd there was no way to get him inside so they carried him up on the roof. They opened a hole big enough to let the man down and lowered him into the room.
When Jesus saw the faith of the friends, He immediately responded to the man by saying: “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5) This caused some religious leaders who were present to begin to think about how wrong this statement was to come from a mere man. After all, only God could forgive sins! (Mark 2:7)
Jesus immediately understood their thoughts and sought to help them believe. He asked them why they were thinking these things and asked them which was easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven” or “Get up, take up your bed and walk”? In order to remove their objection, he told the man to get up, take up his bed, and walk. This the man did to the amazement of the crowd!
This story should motivate us to seek Jesus for answers to whatever problems we face. Jesus honors faith and no problem is too hard for Him. We may not have faith ourselves, but believing friends can bring us to Jesus. What friend do you know that needs help today to get to Jesus? Take a few minutes of your day to pray for him. As the Lord leads, get another friend or two and go and lift him to Jesus together! Miracles are waiting for those who break through! He truly is God!
Let His blood be on us!
Scripture reading for October 12th: Matthew 26-28
Those who have grown up in the church have heard the story of Jesus’ betrayal, trial, and crucifixion many times. This story is a key to our redemption from sin because it tells of a Savior who loved us so much that He gave His life for us. He offered it willingly on our behalf as a part of God’s plan to bring us back to Himself.
Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot for a mere thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave. (Matthew 26:14-15) We are told that Judas belonged to the evil one and was not one of the true disciples. He fulfilled Scripture from Zechariah 11:12-13 that told about him several hundred years in advance. Judas betrayed his master with a kiss.
Jesus was taken before Caiaphas, the High Priest, and the Sanhedrin. They met early in the morning to find a way to put Jesus to death. (Matthew 27:1) Caiaphas asked Jesus directly if He was the Christ, Son of the living God. Jesus answered “yes” and told him that in the future he would see Jesus seated at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 26:63-64) The council pronounced a death sentence, spit on Him, and struck Him with their fists. His trusted disciples deserted Him and Peter denied Him three times as Jesus predicted.
Jesus then stood before Pilate, the Roman governor, the only one with authority to put Him to death. Pilate listened to the Jews’ charges and then asked Jesus if He was the king of the Jews. Jesus answered “yes” but made no other defense against the charges. Pilate had been warned by his wife not to have anything to do with Jesus because of a troubling dream that she had. He tried to get the crowd to release Jesus but they demanded Jesus be crucified!
Pilate symbolically washed his hands of Jesus’ blood and placed the responsibility on the people. They willingly stated: “Let His blood be on us and on our children.” (Matthew 27:25) Ironically, it is the blood of Jesus alone that can cleanse us all from our sin. It was a wonderful act of grace that Jesus would even give His blood for the redemption of those who would crucify Him. May His blood cover each of us as well, and our children!
Beware! Be Ready!
Scripture reading for October 11th: Matthew 24-25
As they left the temple, Jesus remarked to His disciples about how not one stone would be left upon another. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:2-5)
Deception will be a mark of the last days before the return of Jesus Christ. The world we live in today is full of counterfeit religions and numerous cults that claim that they are the only way to God. Even in the church, there are numerous false teachers who are deceptive and seductive. In addition, Jesus pointed to wars and rumors of wars among the nations. There would also be famines and earthquakes in numerous places and great distress. Persecution of Christians would result in the death of the saints and betrayal and hatred toward God’s people would be common. Many would turn away from following Jesus and their love for God grow cold. (Matthew 24:6-13)
Jesus emphatically taught that no one would know the day or hour of His return. (Matthew 24:36) It would be like the days of Noah when the flood came suddenly and swept the world away. It would be like a thief coming suddenly at night. It would be like a master coming back to find his servant neglecting his duties and doing evil. Jesus would come back at a time when He was least expected!
To illustrate this point, Jesus told two parables. The first concerned ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. Five were foolish and five others were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps, but did not take any oil for them. The wise took oil along for their lamps and were ready. The bridegroom was delayed and they all fell asleep. The midnight cry of the bridegroom woke them when he arrived. But only the wise were prepared and went with the bridegroom to the wedding feast. The foolish were late and missed the party! In fact, they were shut out in outer darkness!
Are you prepared? May the truth of this message cause faith to arise to prepare yourself and your family! The trumpet could sound at any time!
The wedding banquet!
Scripture reading for October 10th: Matthew 20-23
“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.” Matthew 22:2-3
We read in the previous chapter that the chief priests and Pharisees knew that the parables they heard were about them. They were jealous because many people were following Jesus and thought He was a prophet. (Matthew 21:45-46) As they were looking for a way to arrest Jesus, He gave them this parable that was a further warning of their dangerous path.
The king was God the Father who sent His only Son Jesus to earth. His plan was to gather a bride for His son from those who would believe in Him. He came to the Jews first and invited them to the great wedding banquet. Israel was long considered the betrothed wife of God! When the banquet was ready, servants were sent to remind the guests and their need to come. These servants were the prophets. The people of Israel gave lots of excuses and most failed to respond. Worse than that, they beat the servants of the King and killed them. (Matthew 22:5-7) The king sent his army and destroyed those murderers and their city. This likely refers to the Babylonian captivity.
The King then instructed His servants to go into the highways and on the street corners and find those who would come to His Son’s wedding banquet. Many responded to the urgent invitation. One attended the banquet not properly clothed. This person was confronted and then escorted out. This man was speechless because he knew the proper clothing but in rebellion chose not to wear it. He was bound and cast out into outer darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 22:13)
“Many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) Jesus concluded this parable with these sobering words. The invitation to His wedding banquet has gone out to all the world. Many have responded and others have chosen to not respond. Their excuses will keep them out of the King’s presence. Others come on their own terms and will be forcibly cast out at the last judgment. Only the robes given by the King’s Son will be proper attire. Have you accepted the King’s invitation? Are you wearing the proper garment?