Jesus at twelve!
Scripture reading for March 5: Luke 2
“And when His parents saw Him, they were astonished. And His mother said to Him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And He said to them, “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that He spoke to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:48-52
Children sometimes give their parents reasons for stress and distress. Our oldest son once decided to go on a self-proclaimed retreat without letting us know where he went or for how long. This was before cell phones or air tags! We looked all over and finally got word that he was camping several miles away. This same thing happened to Jesus’ parents after a trip to the temple in Jerusalem for a festival of Israel. Jesus failed to join the journey home and his absence was finally noticed part way there. The parents returned distressed and looking for Him. They found Him in the temple asking questions and listening to the rabbi’s and teachers.
When Mary and Joseph asked Jesus why He had treated them so disrespectfully, He answered them with a curious statement: “Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” Mary and Joseph did not know how to process that at this point. Their world-view was being challenged by their Son. There is no comment on how Joseph dealt with this, but Mary, His mother, pondered these things in her heart. Jesus submitted to their will and understanding and lived in obedience. As He did, He grew in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. That’s good advice for us all and a good word for your children!
Have you ever been misunderstood by those in your family? Have you ever been the cause of distress for your parents? How did they and you end up handling this?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for causing distress in the lives of those in authority over me. Help me to continue to grow in wisdom and favor with You and those around me. I treasure in my heart Your Word and ponder Your instructions to obey in faith. Amen.
A Word from God
Scripture reading for March 4: Luke 1
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and your shall call His Name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever and of His kingdom there will be no end.”” Luke 1:26-33
Can you imagine the thoughts that went through Mary’s mind in this encounter with Gabriel, the angel sent from God’s throne? This angel was sent to a specific location and to a named individual and knew that that Mary was a virgin. He knew she was betrothed to Joseph, of the line of David. The angel understood Mary’s fear and bewilderment. The declaration that she was a ‘favored one’ and that the Lord was with her made her wonder and search for how to respond.
The next statement would really shake her world view: she was to become pregnant and bear a Son, but not any son, the Son of the Most High! This Son was to be given the Name Jesus and He would become a King ruling on the throne of David. His rule would be over all Jacob and His kingdom was eternal! Mary, seeking understanding, asked how this might take place since she was a virgin. The angel helped her see and understand with another clear Word from God: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God.” Mary responded in faith: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your Word.” Luke 1:35-38
How does this story of an angel visiting a virgin girl named Mary fit with your current world view? Is it comforting or fearful to know that God knows your name, location, family ties, and thoughts? Would you want to know God’s plans for you and your life and offspring?
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You reveal Your knowledge and plans for us in ways we can understand and respond to. Thank You for the faith that Your Word brings to us to yield ourselves to Your will and plans. Have Your way in me today and each day fulfill Your plans in me and through me. Amen.
Jesus rebukes unbelief!
Scripture reading for March 3: Mark 16
“Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and He rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole 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 the will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:14-18
In our permissive and spoiled culture we tend to let each person believe as they want and accept their attitudes and actions. But Jesus had a different assessment of His own disciples who had been given the opportunity to walk with Him for three years. They had watched and then participated in healings, deliverances from demons, and even raising the dead. They had witnessed Jesus teaching and demonstrating His authority and the Father’s compassion. They had been plainly told on numerous occasions about Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. He had patiently appeared to many of them on numerous occasions after His resurrection and eye witnesses had shared, but they had refused to believe and had hardened hearts.
After Jesus’ loving rebuke, He charged them with a clear mission of doing what He had taught them to do and preaching the Gospel to all. He emphasized that those who would believe and baptized would be saved. Those who hardened their hearts and refused to believe would be condemned. By faith God would work with them and through them to continue Jesus’ ministry of compassion and spoiling Satan’s kingdom of demonic oppression, sickness, and withstanding Satan’s attempts to destroy them. Their faith would move them forward to go, preach and obey in response to Jesus’ powerful Word.
Have you ever mocked or rejected a believer in Jesus who sought to witness to you? Have you responded to the Gospel message of Jesus and His followers? What does Jesus’ rebuke to His disciples say to you and your current life direction?
Prayer: Loving Father, thank You for Your life-giving rebuke for those who follow Jesus and harden their hearts. I have been there and done that. Thank You for the clear instructions on how to walk in faith and fulfill the Great Commission to preach the Gospel and proclaim Satan’s defeat. Use me today! Amen.
Crucify the King?
Scripture reading for February 28: Mark 15
“And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered Him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify Him.”“ Mark 15:8-13
After the early-morning arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus had faced a trial with the leaders of the Jews where false witnesses accused Him. He remained silent at their accusations. When asked if He was the Christ, the Son of God, Jesus answered, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:52) This brought His death sentence as they deemed Him a blasphemer of God. But they could not put Him to death as that was in Rome’s jurisdiction. They sent Jesus to Pilate where he questioned Him as to His status as King of the Jews. Jesus simply answered Pilate, “You have said so.” (Mark 15:2) He remained silent after that.
Pilate could find no fault in Him but perceived the malice and envy of the religious leaders in accusing Jesus. His own wife had warned him about Jesus. So Pilate responded to the crowd, seeking a way to release Jesus. He asked them if they wanted him to release their King. But the religious leaders stirred up the crowd to ask for the release of a murderer, Barabbas. They shouted out their demand that Jesus be crucified! People who had worshiped Jesus as Messiah and King a few days before now demanded His execution in place of a murderer! How easily the opinion of people can influence our world view and ability to see the truth!
Have you ever fallen for crowd pressure to do something you know is wrong? Describe the battle you see in Herod as he knows the motive of the religious leaders and his own wife’s warning about Jesus and the crowd’s demands. Why was Jesus silent and did not defend Himself?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for revealing to me Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah, Your Son. I want to be ready to see my King coming on the clouds of heaven. Keep me from the deception of peer pressure and emotional thinking. May my world view reflect Jesus and my confession be ‘Jesus is Lord.’ Amen.
Costly anointing oil
Scripture reading for February 27: Mark 14
“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 an uproar among the people. And while He was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over His head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her.” Mark 14:1-5
When we look at everything through the lens of profit, we don’t see as Jesus sees. Some of the disciples, Judas in particular, saw the woman pouring expensive anointing oil on Jesus. They deemed this a waste of potential profit to help the poor as it was worth a year’s wages. It seemed like a noble and godly way to look at things, since God does commend His people in caring for the poor. (Proverbs 14:31) But Judas, as treasurer of the disciples, had hidden motives as he had been taking from the treasury for himself. (John 12:5-6) We also note that Judas left after this incident and agreed with the religious leaders to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. His greed cost him and led to his own destruction.
Jesus viewed this act of worship by the woman as an honor. He said that she did that to prepare His body for burial, again telling them of His coming death. Jesus promised the disciples that wherever the Gospel was preached, this act of kindness would be remembered. That’s why it was written into God’s Word for us today and for all who will hear and believe. Our worship of Jesus through giving is honoring of Jesus and He takes note and rewards eternally!
As you consider this story, how would you judge this woman pouring out a year’s wages on Jesus? What do you think she was thinking as she made this offering? What change in your world view is Jesus calling you to with this story?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for my stingy eye when what I view as wasteful is really extravagant worship. Help me to see clearly what is of real value and worth in this world. May my worship be extravagant like this woman’s and pleasing to You. Amen.
“Stay Awake”
Scripture reading for February 26: Mark 13
“”But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. 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 door-keeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning–lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Mark 13:32-37
Everyone likes to know the future if possible. For example, if we knew what was going to happen in the stock market tomorrow, we could invest and make a fortune. If we knew what numbers were going to be called in the mega-lottery jackpot, we could cash in big time. If we knew when our time on earth was up, we could make the changes and preparations for those left behind and for our future. But the Scripture and very words of Jesus do tell us about what is coming in the future and how to prepare and cash in!
Jesus answered His disciples question of “when will these things take place?”. He told them plainly that no one knew that answer except God the Father. That was followed with a warning, “Keep awake.” He told them it was like a master leaving on a journey and putting servants in charge of his work and property telling them “Stay awake.” They would not know the time of his return. He would likely come suddenly at a time when they were not expecting. Woe if the master found his servants asleep! Jesus then applied these illustrations to all: “Stay awake.”
Have you seriously considered the message that Jesus is sharing with His disciples and us today? How would you evaluate your readiness for the time of Jesus’ return? Would Jesus be pleased with your work as His steward with your talents and property?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this stimulating teaching concerning the time of Jesus’ return. I don’t want to be found sleeping instead of caring for Your property and Your mission to save lost people. Continue to use me to call out to those asleep or dozing. May all be ready and watching! Amen.
Jesus sees our giving!
Scripture reading for February 25: Mark 12
“And He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small 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 offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”” Mark 12:41-44
God is Love and love means giving and generosity is a result of that love. God, Himself, is a cheerful and generous Giver. “For God so loved the world, He gave His One and Only Son, that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish, but will have eternal life.” John 3:16 When on earth, right before leaving earth, Jesus took a seat opposite the temple treasury. There He observed those who gave and how much they put in in relation to what they had in their possession. He called His disciples over to comment on those giving and told them that the poor widow had put in the most in comparison to what she had.
That poor widow had put in two small copper coins that equaled on penny. The others had put in much more. But it was the widow who caught Jesus’ attention so much that He used her gift and giving heart as an example of what God holds dear. Jesus sees things differently than the world. Jesus sees our hearts and attitudes. He values faith and the widow gave all she had in trust that God would take care of her needs. She gave as an act of worship that pleased God extravagantly! God took notice and we are remembering her giving and attitude yet today! Jesus boasted to His disciples about her attitude.
When it comes to giving at church, do you ever think that God is watching you and your attitude? How would Jesus evaluate your giving in relation to what He has blessed you with? What worth do you ascribe to God with your worship through giving?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your love and giving of Your Son that we might have forgiveness of sins and eternal life through Him. Help me to please You with my giving to You as You have blessed me. Teach me to truly worship You through giving. Amen.
Forgive, believe and receive!
Scripture reading for February 24: Mark 11
“”Rabbi, look! The fig tree that You cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also Who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”” Mark 11:21-25
As human beings, we are not accustomed to our words having power. We often make requests that are ignored and ask for certain things to happen that never come to pass. We make declarations of our intentions but fail to follow through. We develop our lack of trust over repeated failures of our own efforts and others who don’t respond as we asked. Then when it comes to God, we are full of unbelief because we are centered on ourselves. Forgiveness is needed for all.
Jesus wants to alter our view of God and life in His kingdom. In this story of cursing the fig tree, Jesus was teaching multiple lessons to His disciples as His time to be physically with them was soon coming to a close. The kingdom of God works through faith because of love. God is love and this implies a relationship where God wants the best for us. We are to have faith in God as the central relationship in our lives. He has promised to answer prayers prayed in faith. Faith believes in God and His goodness and ability to do whatever is asked. Because God has forgiven us through Jesus, we must also forgive others and maintain the loving relationship that fosters faith. Forgiveness also takes faith to give and receive. Mountains of bitterness and hills of resentment can be easily removed when faith works in love!
Have you ever felt bitterness and cynicism come into your heart because of your own or others failures? Have you asked God for something you desperately needed and felt He failed to respond? Have you forgiven others as Christ has forgiven you?
Prayer: Father God, forgiveness requires great faith in You and Your amazing goodness and justice. As I mature in Christ Jesus, help me to more freely forgive others and myself when I fail. Prompt me to ask and believe that I will receive the answers I need. Perfect Your love in me to improve my faith. Amen.
A Word of Knowledge!
Scripture reading for February 21: Mark 10
“And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, He began to tell them what was to happen to Him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days, He will rise.” Mark 10:32-34
This passage of Scripture describes the disciples and Jesus walking on the road to Jerusalem for the last time. Jesus had already told them on two other occasions that He would suffer and die in Jerusalem and then rise again on the third day. This was not fully understood by the disciples, and they were afraid as the journeyed onward. It is insightful that Jesus walked ahead of them. A good leader goes ahead and Jesus sought to help them by telling them what lie ahead as well. Through prayer and consultation with His Father, Jesus knew in detail the path that He would walk. He understood the mission and the demonstration of love that He would give to bring many souls to salvation and glory.
Jesus gave His disciples a word of knowledge of events to come. He demonstrated that as God, He knew the end from the beginning. He revealed details of the events to come that we know today took place just as He had foretold. Not only that, these events fulfilled Scripture thus proving God’s awesome fore-knowledge. He is comforting these disciples and us as well as He reveals the triumphant resurrection after three days. Our world view is expanded by Jesus’ amazing words of truth.
Have you ever followed Jesus with amazement and fear at the same time? Was there ever a time in your life when someone or God gave you a word of knowledge that calmed your fears? How does this story help you to trust Jesus Christ and His knowledge of your future?
Prayer: I thank You Father, that You know all things past, present and future. Thank You for calming my fears and amazing me at Your understanding and knowledge of details to come. As I call to You in my fear, reveal what I need to walk in faith through my trial. Amen.
All things are possible!
Scripture reading for February 20: Mark 9
“And they brought the boy to Him. And when the spirit saw Him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his Father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”” Mark 9:20-23
Jesus had been on the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James and John. There they had witnessed Jesus in a glorified body meeting with Moses and Elijah and heard the testimony of God the Father concerning Jesus. When they returned to the rest of the disciples, there was a commotion over a failed healing and deliverance. A man had brough his demon-tormented son to the disciples for help, but they could not help. Jesus rebuked them sharply for their unbelief and requested the boy be brought to Him. Upon seeing Jesus, the boy convulsed violently and was thrown to the ground foaming at the mouth.
Jesus questioned the father concerning the boy’s condition. He had been tormented from early in life. The father asked Jesus for help, if He could do anything. This father was skeptical after the disciples had failed and he had lived with the condition in his son all his life. Jesus mildly rebuked him. The ‘if You can’ attitude must be repented of and replaced by faith and confidence in God’s goodness and power. The father’s confession and prayer help us to have the correct attitude of faith and dependence: “I believe! Help my unbelief.”
Have you ever gone to God or God’s people with a need that seemed impossible? Have you faced failure and become skeptical of God’s ability or willingness to help? Take a moment and pray a prayer inspired by this story in Scripture designed to help you receive the ‘impossible’ by faith!
Prayer: Father God, I do believe but have become complacent and possibly skeptical about Your willingness and ability to help me or my relatives. Forgive my unbelief! I believe that with You, all things are possible as I fully believe in You. Amen! Amen!