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The King with a crown of thorns!
Scripture reading for March 11th: Mark 15:1-47, Psalms 54:1-7, Proverbs 11:5-6
“They bound Jesus, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate. “Are you king of the Jews?’ Asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.” (Mark 15:1b-2) Jesus openly admitted that He was indeed king of the Jews. In fact, had He been asked, He would have told Pilate that He was the King of Kings. (Revelation 19:16) Pilate did not know enough to ask about that! Pilate was confused by all the charges leveled against Jesus. He asked Jesus to respond to these charges, but Jesus answered not a word! (Mark 15:3-5)
Pilate tried to get the crowd to release Jesus, but the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask for Barabbas instead. Pilate then asked the crowd what should be done with their king. “”Crucify Him!” they shouted!” (Mark 15:13-15) Because Pilate desired to please the crowd, he turned Jesus, King of the Jews, over to be crucified.
The soldiers took Jesus and dressed Him in a purple robe and twisted a crown of thorns and set it on His head. “And they began to call out to Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Again and again they struck Him on the head with a staff and spit on Him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took off the purple robe and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him out to crucify Him.” (Mark 15:18-20) The crown of thorns was mean to mock Jesus and cause Him greater suffering. They beat it into His brow, causing blood to flow as they taunted Him and bowed down in mock homage.
This crown really represented the curse of sin that Jesus willingly bore for us for our healing and deliverance. Jesus was made a curse for us and took the curse of God’s wrath on broken law. All who will bow before Him, repent of their sins, and ask for mercy will be forgiven and given eternal life! This King is really the King of Kings and has the power to give pardon because of the price He paid! Jesus bought justice by taking our place! Should you not bow before Him now in humble adoration, giving yourself to Him as a living sacrifice? It’s the only reasonable response!
Silent before accusers!
Scripture reading for March 10th: Mark 14:53-72, Psalms 53:1-6, Proverbs 11:4
Jesus was betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane by Judas with a kiss. The soldiers and religious leaders took Him off to bring Him before the high priest and elders of the Sanhedrin. They were looking for evidence against Jesus to put Him to death. It was not that they had evidence already, because all their attempts to catch Him had failed. Their law said that for offenses leading to the death penalty, two or three witnesses must testify and agree. They found false witnesses but their testimony did not agree! (Mark 14:55-59)
“Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.” (Mark 14:60-61) Jesus knew the high priest’s tactic was to get Him to incriminate Himself. He also knew the Scripture which told that Messiah would remain silent before His accusers. (Isaiah 53:7)
Peter later remembered this incident as well when he wrote, “When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” (1st Peter 2:23) Peter used this to encourage those in the church who were suffering for their faith. He knew that God was their defender as He had vindicated Jesus by resurrection from the dead!
“Again the high priest asked Him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”” (Mark 14:61b-62) Jesus could not tell a lie. He answered truthfully and gave a powerful revelation of His authority and coming glory! This should have caused those who were questioning Him to stop and ponder this. They had seen and heard about His miracles. He had fed thousands, healed countless sick people, cast out demons, and even raised the dead. His teaching was like no other!
But this statement was the one that these religious leaders jumped on to condemn Him! They chose to reject the truth and believe a lie for their own murderous plan to succeed. (2nd Thessalonians 2:10-12) In doing so, God would work His plan to show mercy to all who would believe the truth!
This is My Body!
Scripture reading for March 9th: Mark 14:22-52, Psalms 52:1-9, Proverbs 11:1-3
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take it; this is My body.” (Mark 14:22)
Jesus and His disciples were eating the Passover meal together. Judas had already betrayed Him and He had told them all that one of them had done this. They were saddened and one by one asked if it was them. Jesus, in Matthew, actually identified Judas as the one. (Matthew 26:25) Jesus knew exactly what had happened and would happen. He had a plan that the Father had revealed to Him and went about laying out that plan so that His followers would remember Him.
In the breaking of the bread, Jesus was giving the disciples a visual picture of His own body being broken for them. He first took the bread from the table, then He gave thanks to God for the bread, then He gave it to the disciples with this simple instruction: “Take it; this is My body.” This pattern of taking, thanking, breaking and giving, had been used in the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000 as well. (Mark 6:41, Mark 8:6) We have nothing that we have that is not given to us by God. We must take it willingly for ourselves. The bread was broken apart and distributed as Christ was Himself broken to be distributed to all who would believe. This bread of His Body must be taken with thanksgiving because of the sacrifice that it represented. It is a gift from God to all His children to nourish them for eternal life!
The final act was eating or feeding on the bread. Bread is the staff of life, and is used in almost every culture as a basic food. Jesus had declared, “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35) “I am the Living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51) When we eat this bread, we join the disciples of Jesus in the true Passover meal! We are nourished with the Living Bread unto eternal life! As we eat, we desire to be like Him!
Broken and poured out!
Scripture reading for March 8th: Mark 14:1-21, Psalm 51:1-19, Proverbs 10:31-32
“While He (Jesus) was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head.” (Mark 14:3)
This very unusual incident was recorded by Mark and marked another woman who served Jesus and was especially noted by Him. This woman’s name was Mary, and she was probably the sister of Martha. (John 12:1-3) She was known to have taken time to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to Him while her sister Martha served Jesus. Martha was rather upset with her for this, but Jesus noted that she had chosen what was better! (Luke 10:38-42)
Mary came to the dinner where Jesus was the guest of honor and reclining at table. He was the guest of Simon the Leper. We are not sure if Jesus had healed this man earlier, but he must have been clean for them to be with him for a meal. Jesus loved to be around sinners and those who were considered outcasts by the religious people. Mary came with a box or jar of expensive perfume, worth about a year’s wages. She broke the container and poured it’s expensive contents on Jesus’ head and even His feet. This was an act of extravagant love and prophetic worship.
Jesus, Himself, was preparing to be broken and poured out for the sins of the world. He was in Jerusalem for Passover week as the final sacrifice. He was being examined in the temple every day by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. They were plotting to have Him killed. Jesus said that this costly anointing was to prepare Him for His burial. (Mark 14:6-9) His blood would be a costly sacrifice that would atone for sin. His prayer for our forgiveness from the cross would be a fragrant incense to the Father of His complete obedience. His act of giving Himself would be an act of extravagant love for us and prophetic worship, enabling all to enjoy forgiveness of sins. As he was anointed in the home of Simon the leper, His sacrifice took place in this world to deliver us from the leprosy of sin! Take time and worship Him today with a thankful heart!
The great crash!
Scripture reading for January 8th: Matthew 7, Psalm 6, Proverbs 2:9-11
Jesus liked stories that His listeners could identify with. He was good at picking out simple stories that illustrated His teaching. Kingdom life was all about living in obedience to God by faith. Jesus picked a common story of two men building their houses to bring focus on the long-term results of decisions to obey God or not. As we read the story, the story reads us!
The first builder was a wise man. He knew about the weather, climate, and dangers of the country he lived in. He knew that any house that was going to last would require a strong foundation. He wisely located an area with rock under it and built his house there. He dug into the rock and anchored the house securely. Later, when the strong winds and storms came, his house would provide a secure shelter for him and his family!
The second builder was foolish. He knew about the weather, climate and dangers of the country he lived in, but loved the beach and the life offered there. He saw the nice flat sand and noted how easy it was to dig in some mooring for his home. He built his house there and had a fine looking home on the beach until a storm from the sea blew in and his house was washed away with a big crash!
Jesus warned his followers to stick close to His teaching because the gate was narrow leading to life and few would find it. Jesus was and is that gate! (John 10:7) The broad way was heavily populated and many were on their way to destruction. In fact, those who heard the word and obeyed it, putting it into practice were likened to the wise builder who built on the rock. His house would stand against any storm! Those who heard but didn’t apply His teaching were like the foolish man who built on the sand. His house came down with a great crash! (Matthew 7:24-27)
A great storm of God’s wrath is coming! Each person must choose their foundation, taking into account life’s storms. Only one foundation will stand the final storm of God’s judgment–Jesus Christ as Lord! How does this simple illustration help you to discern your future? Jesus wanted His followers to stand the test by hearing, heeding and applying!
“Come, Follow Me!”
Scripture reading for January 1st: Mark 1:16-20, 2:13-17, John 1:35-50, Isaiah 6:1-8
Our Good Shepherd Church family is again invited to read through the Bible using the Walk-through the Bible reading schedule of reading six days and resting on Sunday. We will begin in Genesis and read through to Revelation in one year.
This year, I am going to republish some of my past blogs and on Sunday use the Scriptures that I will preach on for that day. My hope is that those who come to Good Shepherd will be ready to hear the message of Jesus and will have already read the passage that I will preach on.
This year our theme for the year is “Come, follow Me!” taken from the call of Jesus to His disciples. My heart has been stirred to help the church become true disciples who are following closely in Jesus’ steps as He leads us in these last days. May the Lord stir you to follow Him as never before and actually make the changes that He directs you make as you hear Him speak through His word! God bless you and your family!
The Mission!
Scripture reading for April 29th: Luke 24:13-53
The resurrection brought fear, doubt, and amazement to the disciples of Jesus. On resurrection day, two disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus, talking about what had happened in Jerusalem. As they walked along, Jesus came along side of them and began to walk with them. They did not recognize Him and He questioned them about their conversation and experiences. They shared their hopes of redemption through Jesus and how He was crucified. Then they told Him how some of the women had told them that Jesus was alive and how others had found the tomb empty. They weren’t sure what to believe!
After listening to them, “He said to them, “How foolish you are, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” And beginning at the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:25-27) Jesus was instructing His disciples and correcting their unbelief and they did not recognize Him! These two disciples asked Jesus to stay with them that evening and as He broke bread with them, they did recognize Him. He then disappeared from their sight!
They quickly returned to Jerusalem to tell the others! As they were telling their story, Jesus appeared to them saying “Peace be with you.” (Luke 24:36) They were frightened and thought it might be a ghost! He showed them His hands and feet and invited them to touch Him. He even ate some fish with them. He was a real man with flesh and bones.
The real task for these disciples lay ahead. “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His Name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what My Father has promised: but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Jesus was still seeking out lost people and calling them to repent. These disciples would now be the witnesses who would share this truth. They would begin in Jerusalem and go to the nations! The gift of the Father would clothe them with power! This mission is still going forward!
Fervent Prayer
Scripture reading for March 17th: 1st Samuel 1-3
Prayer is an interesting subject. God encourages us to pray about everything. We know that God knows everything already and sometimes wonder why He wants us to ask of Him. Prayer is simply communication with God in the form of talking and listening. It often requires patience to receive the answer. Our timing isn’t always God’s timing and our hearts sometimes need preparation to handle the answer. The Book of First Samuel begins with a story about a barren woman who is bitter in her heart because God had closed her womb. She finally decided to pray! Has it come to this?
Hannah is one of two wives of Elkanah, an Israelite from the tribe of Ephraim. Don’t get thrown by the fact that this man had two wives. It was part of the custom of that day but not according to the plan of God! (Mark 10:6-9) Notice that these wives had conflict between them and were considered rivals! (1st Samuel 1:2-7) One wife had sons and daughters and Hannah had none. Hannah would weep bitterly when the other wife pointed out that she had no children. Elkanah was frustrated, too, because he loved Hannah and wanted to encourage her.
Hannah stood up and went to the temple herself! There she wept bitterly before the Lord and poured out her soul to God. She made a vow that if God would give her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord and give him to Him. As she continued to commune with God in her heart and silently moved her lips, Eli the priest noticed her. Thinking her drunk, he rebuked her sharply! (1st Samuel 1:9-13) Hannah explained her desperate prayer and Eli told her to go in peace, that the Lord would grant her request!
How hard would it be for you if your preacher accused you of being drunk in God’s house when you were merely desperate for God’s help? Would you get angry and give up? Would you take offense and hold a grudge? This woman patiently and respectfully explained her situation, and Eli confirmed that her prayer had been heard! It is easy to jump to wrong conclusions!
Hannah had a baby the next year and followed through on her vow! God does answer fervent prayer! Take time today and pour your heart out to God!
Rest and be blessed!
Scripture reading for January 2nd: Matthew 2, Psalms 2, Proverbs1:8-15
Dear Friends,
Greetings on this second day of the new year and first celebration of resurrection! Please join the people of God in worship at the church of your choice! Your presence is needed and God’s presence will greet you! By the way, Psalm 2 is tied for the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament with Psalm 110. Read God’s word and worship! God bless you! Pastor John
Sunday Rest and Reflection–Rest!
Dear Friends,
On this last Sunday of 2009, after reading and writing through the Bible, we can again rest because I can finish on time in four more days! As I reflect on this journey, I have learned to see Jesus in a fresh way. I feel that I know Him better and have an understanding of His mercy for us. He longs to have fellowship with each of us and desires that none perish or suffer the wrath of God against sin.
We are secure in Christ and can rest today in our salvation and our future. Every promise of Scripture is given that we might escape the corruption in this world and enter the abundance provided by Christ. His power and wisdom exceed anything that we even remotely understand. He is working out His plans to bring everything in heaven and earth and under the earth into harmony with God the Father. He is confident.
Government powers and world rulers are no match for Jesus either. All the armies, nuclear weapons, and political decrees can’t stop Him. Neither can religious deception and humanistic idolatry stop Jesus from destroying all sin and rebellion and ruling with absolute truth and justice. Both the Beast and False Prophet are thrown into the Lake of Fire, where they are tormented for ever and ever! The wicked are judged and get their just desserts!
The end of Revelation is a new beginning! A new heaven and new earth come into being and the righteous bask in the presence of the Lord and dwell with Him for ever and ever! These words are trustworthy and the One who spoke them is Truth Himself! We are so blessed to know these promises and by faith live in them today and for ever! Have a great day of rest!
In His Love, Pastor John