Category: Gospels
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 joy 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 for forgiveness for breaking God’s law. 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 say “from heaven” and Jesus would ask them why they didn’t respond to John and believe John 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!
Turning loose is hard!
Scripture reading for March 1st: Mark 10:13-31, Psalms 44:8-26, Proverbs 10:20-21
The world and it’s goods have a powerful pull on us. Having things and money bring security that we can control and can use to provide for our needs. But sometimes our grip on material things keeps us from experiencing the best that God wants to give us as we walk by faith in His provision!
Mark records the story of a man who came running to Jesus and fell on his knees to inquire of Him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good–except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'” (Mark 10:17b-19) Jesus pointed the man to his need to keep God’s commandments. This man felt that he had kept these commandments.
Mark records that Jesus looked at the man and loved him. Out of His love, He told the man one more thing that he lacked. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.” (Mark 10:21-22) Jesus put His finger on the idol in this man’s life. His great wealth was hard to turn loose from. It would mean losing his security and ability to live life as he pleased. He would have to trust God to help him. This proved to be too much to let go of for this man.
Jesus went on to comment on this man and others like him. It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom. The disciples were amazed and wondered if anyone could be saved if this was the requirement. Jesus assured them that with God all things were possible! “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for Me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields–and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Mark 10: 29-30) You can’t out-give God! He pays very well– if you turn loose!
Hell is real!
Scripture reading for February 28th: Mark 9:30-10:12, Psalms 44:1-7, Proverbs 10:19
Hell is not a subject that many like to talk about. Some believe it is a scare tactic that Christians use to brow-beat people into becoming believers. A Pew research poll in 2008 found that only 59 percent of 35,000 respondents believed in a literal hell. This is down from 71 percent in 2001! (74 percent said they believed in heaven.) It is time that people look to the Bible and what Jesus taught to determine the validity of their beliefs!
Jesus warned those He spoke to about their need to avoid hell at all costs. “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hand to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye that to have two eyes and be throne into hell, where “their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.”” (Mark 9:43-48)
Jesus taught that hell was real. It was a place of fire that burned eternally. It was a place of worms eating flesh and weeping and gnashing of teeth. It was a place to avoid, even if you endured life here maimed, crippled or blind! Jesus had also taught them that the road to hell was broad, and many people were on that broad road. (Matthew 7:13) The road to life was narrow, with only a few people on it. In fact, Jesus is the only way to find life and avoid the broad path to destruction in hell! (John 14:6)
Man has an inner knowledge of eternity put into his heart by God. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) He knows that he is an eternal being and will face a judgment. We should not hesitate to talk with people about their eternal future and their preparations to avoid hell. The Holy Spirit will work with us as we share. God wants none to perish in hell, but all to come to salvation through repentance and belief of the truth. (1st Timothy 2:3-6)
Come out!
Scripture reading for February 27th: Mark 9:1-29, Psalms 43:1-5, Proverbs 10:18
Jesus was a man who spoke with authority and was not afraid to rebuke demons or His own disciples! Mark records an incident in which a man had brought his son to the disciples. The son had an evil spirit that often tried to kill the boy by throwing his systems into symptoms of a seizure or stroke. The disciples tried to cast the spirit out but were unsuccessful. (Mark 9:17-18)
“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 rebuked the people and especially the disciples for their unbelief. Jesus had demonstrated their authority to cast out demons and they had been sent out and also had experienced people getting delivered. (Mark 6:7, 12-13) The problem was not with the evil spirit, but with those who should have had faith to see it leave!
When the boy’s father brought his son to Jesus, he asked Jesus to help him if He could. “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” “Immediately the boys father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”” Jesus again corrected the father’s doubting request with a question. “If” is a word indicating doubt, not faith in the possibility! According to Jesus, there is nothing that is not possible for the person who will believe! This man cried out spontaneously for help with dealing with the unbelief! This was an honest prayer and Jesus answered by rebuking the spirit in the boy. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” (Mark 9:25b)
When they left this family, the disciples wanted to know from Jesus why they could not drive out the demon.
“He replied, “This kind can only come out by prayer.”‘ (Mark 9:29) Some manuscripts added “fasting” after the prayer. Our power comes only from God through faith in Him and His ability to do anything. These disciples were encouraged to focus on prayer as they dealt with situations like this. Only prayer will drive out unbelief and enable us to successfully confront Satan’s power.
Take some time to pray today for help with driving out your unbelief. Jesus wants His disciples to walk in authority and power that comes through faith in God! (Mark 11:22-24)
Ashamed of Christ?
Scripture reading for February 26th: Mark 8:10-38, Psalms 42:1-11, Proverbs 10:17
“He (Jesus) then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.” (Mark 8:31-32) Peter was not at all happy with Jesus when He told the disciples of the coming events that would culminate with His death. Peter began to scold Jesus and tell Him not to talk like that. Jesus then rebuked Peter with a stern command, “Get behind me Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Mark 8:33)
Jesus used this exchange to appeal to His disciples and the crowd that followed Him. If anyone wanted to follow Him, they must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow as well! Anyone wanting to save their life would lose it and anyone losing their life, would save it. Jesus knew the tendency of our flesh to want to preserve life as we know it. We all want to be in control and think that by our own efforts can have the best life. But we can’t have the world and it’s adulterous ways and Christ too! The way of the cross and death somehow leads to gain and life.
Jesus asked a question of the crowd and His disciples: “What good is is for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37) Our true life is eternal life and to enjoy that we must have our soul redeemed. We must lose our “life” here to gain “eternal life”. Jesus gave His listeners the answer, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.” In Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection, we have our only hope of redeeming our soul. We must die to our flesh and boldly stake our claim on Jesus and His words! He is coming again soon!
Healing techniques!
Scripture reading for February 25th: Mark 7:24-8:9, Psalms 41:1-13, Proverbs 10:15-16
Jesus came to preach the Good News and bring healing to people who were oppressed by the devil. Mark records some accounts of Jesus working with various people to bring healing to their bodies and family members. When we study this with a desire to find out how He did it, we find a variety of techniques being used.
The first woman mentioned in this passage was a Greek lady who was born in Syrian Phoenicia. She had a daughter who was under the control of an evil spirit and came to Jesus begging for help. Jesus responded to her in a way that could have brought offense. “First let the children eat all they want,” He told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” (Mark 7:27) He was telling her that He came to bring healing to the Jews first, for the Gentiles were called “dogs” in that culture. This woman pressed through by telling Jesus that even the “dogs” under the table eat the children’s crumbs. Jesus was so impressed by her faith that He told her to go and her daughter would be healed!
Next, Jesus traveled to the Decapolis near the Sea of Galilee. Here a man who was deaf and could barely talk was brought to Jesus. Jesus took him away from the crowd and put His fingers into the man’s ears. He then spit and touched the man’s tongue. Jesus looked up to heaven and said one word of command, “Ephphatha!” (which means “be opened”.) (Mark 7:34) This man was healed and he could speak again!
We ponder these two incidents and try to learn how to bring healing to those we find. We see that Jesus responded to faith. The first woman came to Jesus begging for help for her daughter. She was not deterred by Jesus’ comment, but pressed Him for help. Jesus responded! In the second incident, the man was brought to Jesus by friends who begged Jesus for help. The man was deaf and could not speak plainly for himself. Jesus took him aside and privately ministered to him. He physically put his fingers in the man’s ears and spit and placed his finger on the tongue. The prayer was a simple command. Jesus always did things well in response to faith!