Mark 12:1-12 Jesus' Parable of the Vineyard Owner

1 Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 2 “Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. 3 “And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 “Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. 5 “And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. 6 “Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 “But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 “So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. 9 “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. 10 “Have you not even read this Scripture:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
11 This was the LORD’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
12 And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

Devotional
Jesus’ parable here is His follow up Word to the chief priests and elders who seeing Him in the Temple demanded to know by what authority He was doing these things, that is driving out those who bought and sold in the Temple. The parable is given then to refute their rejection of His Person and Authority to do so. And through it Jesus reveals that He Himself is acting on God’s authority as His finial Messenger to Israel. Jesus then begins by using an analogy that was very familiar to them; employing a vineyard owner, his vineyard, his servants, his beloved son and the men to whom he leased the vineyard too. Now the man who planted the vineyard in Jesus’ parable is God and the beloved Son is Jesus Christ Himself. While the vineyard is the nation of Israel, the vinedressers to whom the man leased the vineyard are the leaders of the nation of Israel, i.e. the elders, chief priests, scribes, Pharisees etc. that Jesus was speaking too and about (vs. 12; Luke 20:19). Or more generally all the leadership in the nation of Israel; whether of the priestly or ruling classes who down through the ages have been hostile to the Word of God, and thus the will of God given to them through the ages through His servants the Biblical prophets (Jer. 7:25-26).

Now the vintage time refers to after the formation of the nation of Israel and the giving of the Law through Moses and the nation becoming established in the land of Canaan after Joshua. That would be a good starting point of reference. Yet because of the immediacy of Jesus’ crucifixion, and what He has already foretold about the imminent destruction of the Temple and uprooting of the nation, “vintage time” is anytime God comes seeking the fruits of God from His Word wherever it is sown. And so in verse two Jesus says at vintage-time the owner of the vineyard sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers (vs. 2). Their response though instead of yielding some of the fruits to the servant is to take him and beat him and send him away empty handed (vs. 3). Again the owner sends another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head and they sent him away shamefully treated (vs. 4). “And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.” Vs. 5 And so with that Jesus says of the owner of the vineyard, as a final move, having sent all of his servants, which again are all of God’s prophets and wise and righteous men throughout the nation’s long and tormented history that God has sent to them to bring them back to Himself, right up until John the Baptist. Having then sent all of His servants, the owner, that is God, now sends His one and only beloved Son to them (vs. 6), saying ‘They will respect my son.’ vs. 6
But instead of doing so Jesus says in His parable of them: “But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 “So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.” Vs. 7-8 And with that Jesus then says: 9 “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others.
10 “Have you not even read this Scripture:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
11 This was the LORD’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?” vs. 9-11

Notice first that the vinedressers did indeed recognize the owners Son for who He is. Therefore it’s not that they didn't know who Jesus was, (or who His servants were and are) it was that they did! And realizing that Jesus was far more than just a Man who taught great things, but by His very Words and Works they at some level realized that Jesus Himself is a Man sent from God, as both John the Baptist and He Himself declared Himself to be, both God’s Christ and God’s Son, for which the Jews wanted to kill Him (John 10:22-42). And thus the Scriptures says Israel’s leaders also sought to kill Jesus because they wanted to keep their places of authority and privilege which Roman rule afforded them (John 11:45-48). Which is one of the grave pitfalls of leadership, whether religious or secular, self preservation at all cost, even if that means destroying a fellow brethren. Therefore Jesus in speaking this parable to them is not only answering their previous question on whose authority He was doing all those things which they heard and saw, yet opposed (See Mark 11:27-33). But He was through His parable, prophesying of His own death at their hands, and ultimately their and the nations judgment at the hand of God for doing so. And thus Jesus' warning in His parable about the vineyard being taken from them and given to others, is His foretelling of God giving the Kingdom and it's blessings and privileges to all who now have faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, of both Jews and Gentiles. Who enter it by Holy Spirit rebirth through faith in the Lord Jesus' Person, and thus are under the Lordship of Jesus Christ by His Presence and Spirit dwelling within them (Gal. 2:20). The nation of Israel as a whole being set aside until the fullness of the Gentiles is accomplished, and then Israel’s salvation will come (Rom. 11:25-27). So with their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ; who is the Rightful Heir of all of God's inheritance and Ruler of the nation of Israel; they fulfilled God's Word by their rejection of Him. Jesus then through their disobedience has taken His rightful place as the Chief Cornerstone of all of God's eternal redemption plans. Both for the nation of Israel and for the believing Gentiles of the world. Therefore Jesus concludes His parable to them by quoting from Psalm 118:22-23:
10 “Have you not even read this Scripture:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
11 This was the LORD’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?” vs. 9-11

Thus Jesus concludes His parable to them with the Scriptures which already foretold what Israel's leaders reaction would be towards His Person. And so it is that Jesus was rejected by unbelieving man, so that He might established by God. For Jesus is the stone, the chief cornerstone, the foundation upon which all that God is building for His people which will be established forever. Therefore take heed upon what your building your life on. Build on another foundation and your building on proverbial sand, that will only be washed away and all that is built on it, when God brings it all under His scrutiny and final judgment, of both believers (1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor 5:9-11) and unbelievers (Heb 10:26-31; Jude 5-19; Rev. 20:11-15).

Now verse twelve goes on to say that they clearly understood that Jesus had spoken the parable against them. Therefore they wanted to lay hands on Him, that is take Him by force, but they didn't at that time because they feared the multitude, "...So they left Him and went away." Which is what you may do as well if you prefer to have your own ways rather than believe God's Son and obey His ways. For just as they choose instead to lay their own crumbling foundations, you may do as well if your faith is not entirely on the Lord Jesus Christ's Person crucified and raised from dead for the remission of not only your sins, but all people's sins, with obedience to His Word (Consider Jer. 2:13; 19). For anything less is not the gospel (Acts 10:34-43).

7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:7-10

Take heed then that you are diligent to receive God's Living Word into your heart and life. For the Lord Jesus Christ is the Chief Corner Stone of everything that God is building for all eternity. For the salvation of God, the righteousness of God, the life transforming Presence and Power of God, only comes into our lives and persons by faith in Jesus Christ’s Person. Apart from all works of man or woman (Rom. 3:19-28; Acts 13:38-38; Gal. 2:16, 19-21, 3; 4; 5:1; 4-5). For that is the Good News that God loves everyone and saves anyone who repents and believes in His Son. That is the simplicity of the gospel (2 Cor. 11:3-4) which shows no partiality whether to Jews or Gentiles, or makes a distinction between good and bad people, as if one is more deserving than another, for “…the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Gal. 3:22
Therefore I implore you all to open your hearts to God through His Son, (Rev. 3:20). Believing that God loves you and sent His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to be crucified for you, then on the third day Jesus rose from the dead. Finally He ascended back to heaven waiting until all His enemies are made His footstool. And so having vanquished death forever the Lord Jesus Christ now imparts new and everlasting life into everyone who believes in Him. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16


Scripture Quotations:
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 11:27-33 Jesus' Authority Questioned

27 Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 28 And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” 29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 “The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.” 31 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 “But if we say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. 33 So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”


Devotional
Jesus’ return to Jerusalem and specifically the Temple was the day after He cleansed the Temple of the selling of wares that was going on inside of God’s House. And so it was that as He was walking in the Temple that “...the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 28 And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” Vs. 27-28 Notice that it is the three main elements of power within the Temple; the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders who approach Jesus in regards to His having cleansed God’s House. For these were the men who were permitting these practices, and likely were themselves profiting from such practices, and thus these are the men who now confront Jesus about His doing so. Notice to that the Pharisees are not mentioned in regards to this incident since their authority lay outside of the Temple’s domain. While the Sadducee's, the other frequently mentioned group in the gospels is akin to the chief priests, since the high priest was generally drawn from their ranks. While the elders were leading elder men in Israel who like the Sadducee's formed a type of ruling aristocracy both within the Temple and the Sanhedrin counsel (of which the Pharisees belonged, but again did not have any authority in regards to Temple affairs), and thus through the Sanhedrin, Jewish religious affairs were governed, while they were under the auspices of the Romans, through their appointed tetrarch’s or regional governors, which came from the Herod family dynasty and Pontius Pilate in Judea and Samaria.

That’s the backdrop of their authority and their approaching and questioning Jesus on what authority He was doing these things, which was His ending the buying and selling of goods within God’s House. Therefore they rather emphatically want to know who gave Jesus the authority to do so. Now we know the answer and that is God gave Him His Authority, both as His Son, (Luke 20:9-19) as well as Jesus being the Messiah. Therefore their questioning Jesus’ Authority in doing these things, which He did in His Messianic Authority (Mal. 3:1-3) is both their blindness too and their rejection of Him as the Messiah. Something that they demonstrate over and over again throughout the gospels, and so it will be with their questioning Jesus on whose authority He did those things that He will likewise question them, saying: …“I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 “The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.” Vs. 29-30

Now Jesus’ questioning them about John’s baptism as to whether it was from heaven or from men is linked directly with Himself. For John’s Baptism of repentance was to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord (Matt. 3:1-12). It didn’t bring salvation, it prepared all those who believed him and repented at his preaching, to receive God's salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:15, 18-34, 3:22-36; Acts 19:3-4). For God does not allow men and women to pick and choose what they will believe about Himself, or His Son, or His messengers (that is the Biblical prophets) and thus His Word which He sent by His Spirit into the world through them. You either accept all the revelation of God as declared in the Scriptures (that is both New and Old Testaments) or ultimately you will receive none of it (consider John 5:31-46). Therefore with their reply that they did not know whether John’s baptism was from heaven or from men. Jesus says He will not tell them by what authority He was doing these things. Since they having already the rejected God’s witness given them; first through John the Baptist, then through the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, no more will be added (Luke 7:30). So with their reasoning amongst themselves by which they seek to avoid any further inquiry by the Lord, as well as any potential hostility from the crowds, they only go on to deny acknowledging that John’s baptism was indeed from heaven and so with that Jesus says to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” vs. 33 For again revelation from God is always directly linked to how much one receives and believes about His Son.

Have you then come to believe in Jesus Christ, putting all of your hope and faith for God’s forgiveness on Him? For it is only by the righteous work of God through the crucifixion death of His Son Jesus who suffered and died in our place, that God has ransomed back everyone who believes in Him from their sins and death. For the Scriptures having declared “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Rom. 3:23 There is nothing we can do to deserve or earn God’s salvation. We can only believe in Jesus and thus receive it by faith through God’s grace. For God in His love for us all gave His only Son Jesus Christ to suffer and die on a cross to pay for all our sins and thus ransom us back from sin and death. Then three days later Jesus rose from the dead so that we might have new and everlasting life when we believe in Him. That is why it is only said of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Scriptures: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
If you have not made a personal decesion for the Lord Jesus Christ please do so today. For there is nothing that is more life changing than that! For when you do you will find and experiance both the peace and love God in your heart and soul. Now to do that Jesus says it is just a matter of inviting Him in; of opening ones heart to Him and saying yes Lord Jesus I believe in You and I want you in my life (Rev. 3:20). Now you can do that by prayer, by simply praying something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe that You suffered and died on the cross so that I might have remission of all my sins, then You rose from the dead three days later so that I might have new and everlasting life. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be my Lord and Saviour, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 11:20-26 Jesus Returns to the Fig Tree

20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Devotional
Previously Jesus had cursed the fig tree on His way into Jerusalem when seeing it from afar and having leaves He thought there might be some fruit (i.e. figs) on it. However after approaching it, it became apparent that it did not have any, for it was not the season for figs. And with that Jesus said to it …“Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” Mark 11:14
Now for us this became a sort of symbol of Jesus’ visiting Jerusalem and specifically the Temple as the Messiah looking for the fruits of God within its midst, but not finding any. And so the lesson that we drew was that we too must likewise be ready for Jesus Christ’s coming, which can be at any time. Not just “ready” on Sunday morning when we are in church, but at any time living our lives in expectation of Jesus Christ’s return as He warns us all: “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Please read Matt. 24:36-44, 45-51). For Jesus’ second coming will be both for His church, which the Scriptures call His bride, as well as for the judgment of the unrepentant and unbelieving. Therefore the Scriptures warn: “…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” Heb. 9:27 A judgment which will be for the rewarding of those who put their faith in Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead for their sins remission, as well as a “rewarding” for those who did not repent and believe in Him. These will find an eternity of separation from God for their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ as well as a punishment for the sinful things they have done here in their flesh (2 Thess. 1:10; Rev. 20:11-15).

Now in stating that, it’s not that God will not pardon people’s sins, God is abundant in mercy and fully willing to pardon even the most heinous of sins and sinners. However if someone refuses His grace, that is His offer to freely forgive and restore them to Himself by faith in His Son, then that person will stand alone on the Day of Judgment. Are you ready to face the Lord Jesus Christ whom God has appointed Judge of all things? The Bible says there is but one way to be prepared for that day; repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Therefore the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son suffered and died on the cross as the finial and complete sacrifice for all our sins (Heb. 10:14) so that we can receive new and everlasting life when we believe in Him (John 3:16). And thus we can be prepared for the judgment to come, on the unrepentant and unbelieving, having our souls, indeed our whole persons, purified by the Lord Jesus Christ’s Person whose blood washes away all our sins, while He sanctifies us by God’s Word and His indwelling Holy Spirit. Who through His regenerating work in our lives progressively transforms our inner person into Christ likeness. Therefore our responsibility as Jesus Christ’s disciples, and recipients of the grace of God is to keep Jesus Christ’s Word. Since keeping His commandments and walking in brotherly love is the mark of all of His disciples (1 John 3:3-11). For “…Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Heb. 9:28

Now returning back to Marks gospel, and the passage at hand, Jesus in verse twenty two in response to the disciple’s amazement at how quickly the fig tree He cursed the previous day had withered away, responds by saying: ...“Have faith in God.” 23 “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. vs. 22-24

Please consider then that Jesus' opening Words “Have faith in God.” Vs. 22 are foundational to everything that is Christian. For that is the beginning of not only having ones prayers answered, but of having a relationship with God. For it’s not what we do (or haven't done) that brings us into a relationship with God, it’s what we believe about His Son. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9  Therefore all prayer as Jesus says must begin by faith in God, not faith in oneself, or someone else, but faith in God. Since it is God alone who has all Power and all Authority at all times, so as to be able to do anything at anytime. Therefore Jesus though seemingly using a hyperbole, to emphasize our need for faith in God when we pray, is in reality being quite literal in that He is emphasizing there are no limitations to the possibilities through believing prayer that one may achieve that would otherwise be impossible to achieve, any other way: “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Vs. 23-24

Now unfortunately Jesus’ Words have been misused by people who seemingly think His Words are an invitation to satisfy their own greedy and lustful hearts, (which they are not) for the Apostle James refuted such when by the Holy Spirit he wrote saying, “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:2-3

Therefore Jesus’ Words were not given as a Divine promise for those kinds of prayers, but for believers to pray in faith to God. For the person who sets out to do the will of God as the disciples were doing, will inevitably run into mountains that they will need moved. Just as we will. Therefore Jesus’ Words are a promise of Divine Intervention or Help when we are faced with problems or obstacles that we by natural means cannot overcome. Yet when we pray in faith, in God’s ability to overcome or move them, believing He will, Jesus Promises He will. Consider the disciples were twelve relatively unknown and insignificant men, even in the eyes of their own countrymen; they were merely untrained and uneducated men (Acts 4:13). Yet they were chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ to be His agents of bringing His Person and His Message to the ends of the world. Therefore they would need far more faith in God than any sort of self reliance on their own giftedness or abilities. For in a world separated from and often hostile towards God. And seemingly being run and at times overrun by Satan and his forces. Accomplishing the whole task by natural means is quite impossible (Zech. 4:6). Yet Jesus says to us all “have faith in God”. For ultimately it is our Sovereign Lord of the Universe who is fulfilling everything His Word declares. And thus He is steadily and unwaveringly accomplishing His own will and purposes, through and for His people, even while allowing the free will of mankind and spiritual forces of wickedness to do theirs. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Rom. 8:31-32

Now Jesus also went on to say that praying in faith to God is also to be a time of forgiving those who have sinned against us, since prayer is also a time of confessing sins and or seeking God’s Power to overcome them. Therefore prayer is not only a time of believing God to do what we cannot. But it is to be a time when we are to be forgiving the wrongs others have done to us. For if we do not forgive others who sin against us, as Jesus said, neither will our Father in heaven forgive us our trespasses. For that is what Jesus Christ did for us all when He took all our sins on Himself on the cross, while we were still sinners, demonstrating God’s love for us all (Rom. 5:8).
Therefore having received the reconciliation which God worked freely and mercifully for us all through His own Son, we as recipients of the grace of God are to be like minded towards everyone who sins against us, if we expect the same forgiveness from Him, now as His children, when we sin and trespass against Him. For God our Father freely and mercifully forgives us when we ask Him (1 John 1:9) hence we are to extend the same grace to others as well (Matt. 18:21-35). Yet how many of us fall into Satan’s (2 Cor. 2:1-11) or is it our own selfish and prideful hearts trap of holding out for justice, even while in prayer with God and seeking grace from Him. Somehow forgetting that Jesus Christ doesn’t demand justice from the Father when we sin against Him, instead He acts continually as our High Priest Advocating before the throne of grace on our behalf (Heb. 4:14-16; 1 John 2:1-2). For the Lord Jesus Christ though sinless and guiltless in every possible way did not decry the horrible burden God the Father laid on Him when He ask Him to bear the sins of us all, so that we might be forgiven by Jesus’ shed blood and sacrificial death on the cross for us all. Therefore in light of such things there is something terribly evil and unjust about our unwillingness to forgive those who sin against us when Christ Jesus the Lord bore such humiliation and pain and suffering just so we could all have God's forgiveness and new and everlasting life by faith in Him. Therefore Christ’s command is clear, forgiveness from God is linked to our forgiving others. Again God the Father is clear, forgive and you will be forgiven.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 11:15-19 Jesus Cleanses the Temple

15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ” 18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. 19 When evening had come, He went out of the city.

Devotional
After Jesus cursed the fig tree He now goes on and re-enters Jerusalem with the twelve (not the throng of multitudes as He had the previous day for His public declaration or unveiling as the Messiah to Jerusalem). Therefore what transpires today is Jesus Christ’s work as the Messiah (before His crucifixion death) in cleansing His Father’s house, the Temple, that was to be a place of prayer for all nations, but instead under the auspices of the Sanhedrin counsel, the religious counsel headed up by the high priest; and thus the counsel at that time over saw all the religious affairs of Israel. Though their primary influence lay in Jerusalem, and specifically the Temple and its ministry, where the chief priests of the sons of Levi ministered, yet they had allowed God’s House to become a den of thieves.
Nonetheless God’s House, the Temple, which symbolized God’s Presence amongst His people was to be a sacred place; a place where all people’s who sought God and His mercies, could come and find Him (1 Kings 8:22-52). That is what King Solomon prayed at his dedication of the original Temple, after God Himself filled the Temple with the glory of His Presence, after both Solomon and people consecrated it to Him (1 Kings 8:1-21). Therefore God’s House which bears His Name to all peoples was to be a place where anyone could seek Him and find His mercies, (Isaiah 56:1-7). Instead it had become a “den of thieves.” And as the Old Testament prophets reveal, when that happens, God’s response is unequivocal (See Jeremiah 7:1-11).
Now we know how it became a den of thieves; by allowing the buying and selling of goods in the Temple courts required for God’s commanded offerings, and thus worship of God became a means for profiteering; which the Lord Jesus upon visiting the Temple; twice took great offense at. And in this most evil practice, they made those foreigners who were seeking God exchange their money through currency exchangers, that they allowed in the Temple courts and through these charged an extremely unjust rate for the Temple coinage, which they required of the worshippers (Consider Micah 6:8-11).

It also became a den thieves in that they were profiteering off their own who were commanded by God; that is all males over twenty years of age; who were three times a year under the law to appear before Him (Ex.34:21-24) and bring their offerings to Him on their yearly Feasts, the principal one being the Passover. And since some could not make the journey by bringing their sacrifices with them, they allowed sellers of these things to set up a market in court of the Gentiles, where these could be purchased, of course at a profit for the sellers; all which is contrary to God’s Holiness and purposes for both His House and His sacrifices revealed in both the Law and prophets. And which the Lord Jesus thoroughly rebuked, when seeing these practices at His first Temple visitation, He said of these things: …“Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” John 2:16

While in Jesus’ second visitation, just before His betrayal and crucifixion death He says that they have made His Father’s House “a den of thieves”. For the first always precedes the second. Since the peddling of “wares” in God’s House inevitably leads to an environment where the thieves will find a sanctuary for themselves (2 Cor. 2:17; 1 Tim. 6:5-10; 2 Peter 2; Jude 3-19). Therefore Jesus’ cleansing the Temple was clearly to fulfill prophecy in opposing all such practices amongst the sons of Levi and in God’s House (Malachi 3:1-3; Psalm 69:9). Because God’s house is to be as Jesus said “a house of prayer for all nations”, not a place where thieves, as Jesus calls them, can profiteer or peddle their goods, since God’s house, and distinctly God’s people are to be called out from the abominations of the world around us (Rev. 18:3-4). For when one reads Revelations chapter eighteen, one sees a real connection between evil and those who for love of profit align themselves with it (Consider Luke 16:13-15; 1 John 2:15-17).

Now upon cleansing God’s house Jesus will heal those who were blind and lame in the Temple. Which would cause praise to rise up to God in the Temple by the children there, thus fulfilling the Word of God Yet this would only bring about the indignation of the chief priests and scribes there (Matt. 21:10-17). For Mark’s gospel declares that upon hearing Jesus’ Words the scribes and chief priests wanted to destroy Him. Yet they feared the people and thus they refrained, for the people were astonished with His teaching.

Now Jesus’ cleansing of Temple also reveals Himself as not only Lord of the Temple, but also that God’s house is His Body; that is where John’s gospel picks up on Jesus’ first Temple cleaning (See John 2:19-22). In sense this the Temple is His literal Body as He said, in another Christ’s Body of believers is God’s Temple in that it is through His Spirit He indwells all who believe in Him making each individual believer the Temple of the Lord (John 14:23; Acts 7:48-50; 17:24-25; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 6:16-18). For after the Holy Spirit’s outpouring it’s not the Temple made with human hands that sanctifies the worshipper, it is the presence of the Lord indwelling the worshipper. Therefore Jesus Christ the Lord is the true Temple of God for all who believe in God, for only those who believe in Jesus Christ the Lord will enter His Eternal Temple, of both Jews and Gentiles, having their names written in the Lamb’s Book of life (See Rev. 21:1-8, 21:22-27). For it is God in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ who took on human flesh so that He could come and dwell inside all believing men and women (Gal. 2:20) by the Holy Spirit (John 14:23); for it pleased God that in Christ all the fullness of God should dwell (Col. 1:19 paraphrase). For it is by Jesus’ Christ’s death on a cross that God has paid the penalty for all our sins which had separated us from God. Therefore with our sins permanently atoned for God can restore to us what we lost when Adam and Eve sinned and that is life; through the Holy Spirit God restores us to a holy union with Himself when we come to Him by faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:13-14).

For salvation from start to finish is purely a work of God, being born out of His love for all people to spare from the judgment to come regardless of their sins. For God rejects no one! Only those who reject His offer to pardon all their sins through His Son Jesus Christ’s crucifixion death will He reject if they choose to carry on in their sins and own ways rather than accept His grace and life transformation for them. Therefore God invites everyone to partake of His life by believing in His Son. For the Lord Jesus Christ’s invitation to new and everlasting life is to all: "And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17


Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 11:12-14 Jesus Curses a fig tree

12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.

Devotional

Now Jesus coming out of Bethany and seeing a fig tree from afar having leaves on it yet not finding any fruit on it is in many ways symbolic of His visiting Jerusalem as the Messiah. For like with the fig tree which having leaves from a distance gave the impression of fruitfulness, so with Jerusalem, which one could likewise see from Bethany. However when Jesus came to the fig tree; as with Jerusalem He found no fruit on it, for it was not the season for figs. And so in response to the fig trees barrenness, which again in many ways parallels Jerusalem which was also barren of faith in Jesus as the Messiah, when He visited it, Jesus said to the fig tree: “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”

Thus Jesus cursed the fig tree (vs. 21). Whether or not you transfer that curse directly onto Jerusalem is up for interpretation, yet Christ’s own Words, as well as the historic evidence which followed Jesus’ Words; which chronologically occur later in the gospel about Jerusalem’s, indeed the nations and the Temple’s destruction lay a strong basis for interpreting it that way. For ultimately the city Jerusalem, indeed the whole nation of Israel itself will not bear the fruits of God, which others may find salvation by, until they receive Jesus Christ as their Lord (See Matt. 23:37-39).

Now as Jesus without warning visited Jerusalem so He will visit each and every one of us if our lives upon hearing the gospels message about faith in Jesus Christ’s Person through His crucifixion death and resurrection from the dead, as the sole basis by which we receive remission of all our sins and new life, are being lived devoid of faith. For there is nothing more discordant with the gospel than Sunday morning “religion” that does not bear any semblance or likeness to the fruits of God during the rest of the week. For it is by the Holy Spirit and His fruits in our lives that the gospel’s message is often authenticated too, and embraced by, those around us.

Therefore in the gospels Jesus clearly warns that those who take His delay in coming again as opportunity for folly and lawlessness and begin to beat their fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, will be visited by Him on a day and hour they do not expect (Matt. 24:45-51). Similarly John the Baptist warned that every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire (Matt. 3:10-12). And so it became with Jerusalem the religious epicenter of Israel. They were as God’s covenant people to be living lives of faith in expectation of the Messiah’s visitation (Malachi 3-4), just as we are, but when Jesus visited Jerusalem they were unprepared for Him. That is why Jesus warns us all “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matt. 24:44 Now Jerusalem had all of the outward ceremony, but none of the inward life which only comes from believing in and seeking to obey God. Not by the traditions of men, but as Jesus said by the commandments of God (Matt. 15:1-9). Which He Himself now has giving us both directly and by the Holy Spirit through His Biblical Apostles (Acts 1:2; Rev. 14:12). However when Jesus visited Jerusalem and the Temple and He looked at all the things there He did not find the fruit of God in its midst. Instead the nation and specifically its leaders were divided into various religious and political factions that were either vying for power within Roman rule, or some sort of autonomy by which they themselves could rule, not for God; for His setting up His Kingdom, as promised in the Scriptures and which Jesus Christ came to fulfill, but for themselves (Mark 12:1-12). The prophet Zechariah clearly foresaw all of this, as the state of the nation when the Messiah would visit it, as well as their rejection of Him and thus their horrible destruction (see Zech. 11:4-14). The Apostle John specifically tells this, that the religious leaders were more concerned about maintaining their own places within the status quo than in anything having to do with God’s plans through Jesus Christ the Messiah, for either Israel, or the world (See John 11:45-54); while Jesus Himself declares in a parable this as the state of affairs in Israel to their leadership, to both the Pharisees and chief priests (Matt. 21:33-46). Nonetheless though Israel was cut off for a season, until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled (Rom. 11:25-27) they will be restored when they receive the One whom they have pierced (Zech. 12:1-13:1; Matt. 23:37-39). At that time never again will unjust men rule in Israel, but Jesus Christ the Lord.

Scripture Quotations

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 11:1-11 Jesus' Triumphal Entry

1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; 2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 “And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.” 4 So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?” 6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!”

11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Devotional
In ancient times traveling to Jerusalem from Jericho meant that you passed through Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives; a series of gentle rounded north to south hills that rises to about 2600 ft; which was in ancient times covered by dense olive groves, and thus its designation. And so Jesus with the twelve and a large throng of followers are now headed west from Jericho onto Jerusalem. But to get there they must pass through Bethany, a village on the southeastern slopes of the Mount of Olives about three kilometers east of Jerusalem, near the road to Jericho (Nelsons). If you’re a student of the Bible you may remember that Bethany was the home of the siblings Martha, Mary and Lazarus and it was here that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11). While Bethphage was the finial village that one passed by on the road to Jerusalem. According to Nelson’s Bible Dictionary, it has been described as a suburb of Jerusalem. While the Mount of Olives is such a prominent feature in the Bible, where so many important and crucial events took place; and are still to take place, one cannot possibly mention them all here. Suffice it to say that as one crested the Mount of Olives on the ancient road leading to Jerusalem, the city of Jerusalem and its most prominent feature, the Temple came spectacularly into view***. And it was the Temple (and all the institutional corruption there) that Jesus as the now heralded Messiah was heading towards. To first cleanse His Father’s house, as the Scriptures foretell He would, before He would be betrayed and crucified to death by those who would defend the corrupt status qua. And so it was while on the way to Jerusalem that Jesus wept over Jerusalem, before pronouncing its destruction, because they did not discern that this was the time of their visitation (Luke 19:41-44). Now the Mount of Olives is where the garden of Gethsemane is located, which will be the scene of Jesus’ last night, spent in prayer, before His betrayal by Judas, then arrest by the chief priests and their forces. And so it is from the Mount of Olives, before Jesus enters Jerusalem, that He sends two of His disciples telling them to go into the village opposite you; which may mean either opposite of the one they were currently in as Matthews parallel account seems to indicate (Matt 21:1-17) or these disciples Jesus sent may have been residents of either Bethphage or Bethany and thus the village opposite you would be the one not native to them. Therefore having giving them the command to go into the village opposite them, Jesus tells them what they will find when they enter the village: …“Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 “And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.” Vs. 2-3

Now the significance of Jesus’ Words here must not be lost on us. For in Jesus saying to them to go and bring a colt on whom no one who had ever sat, Jesus was fulfilling the Word of God spoken through the prophet Zechariah who foretold of this very act of how the Messiah would arrive (Zech. 9:9). Not on a war horse (as the Jews always wanted to conquer the Gentile nations) but first on a gentle lowly donkey offering salvation and peace to every person and nation who will turn from their sins and trust in Him. Now there will be a time when Jesus returns again, when He will indeed be on a conquering war horse to destroy all who rejected Him and His offer of salvation and peace with God through His Person and His work alone, but instead choose for themselves their sins and ultimately Satan (See Rev. 19:11-21). Therefore Jesus' coming to Jerusalem on a lowly colt was to be another sign to the Jews (and to all who know the Scriptures) that the Messiah of the whole world had arrived, the day of salvation is now! Now as the disciples go into the village, as Jesus commanded them, they find the colt tied just as He described it would be, and so they loosed it (vs. 4). And when they loosed it, the Scripture says that some who were standing by said to them …“What are you doing, loosing the colt?” vs. 5 But they responded to them just as Jesus told them to do, saying ‘the Lord has need of it’ and with that they let them go (vs. 6). Suffice it to say that when they heard Jesus’ Word’s repeated to them, they immediately recognized the authority of them, and quickly yielded the colt to the disciples whom Jesus sent for it. How about us? When we hear Jesus Words how quickly do we respond to them? For it’s not in our reading or hearing the preaching of Jesus Christ’s Words that we come into a right relationship with God. Rather it’s in our personally responding to them in repentance and faith by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ here and now as our Lord and Savior that we enter into life and thus our faith grows stronger and God blesses us (Matt. 7:24-27; James 1:22-25; Rev. 3:20). Now when they brought the colt to Jesus, they threw their clothes on it and Jesus sat on it (vs. 7), and many people spread their clothes on the ground, or laid leafy branches on the ground before Him (vs. 8). All which is reflective of the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:40) though the significance here is not that they are heralding in one of the Harvest Feast celebrations the Jews under the Law of Moses were commanded to observe, rather Jesus’ triumphal entry (as it is often called) into Jerusalem as the Messiah, saying:

“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!” vs. 9-10

Now Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was triumphal in that Jesus was no longer commanding anyone to conceal His true identity. For this was the Lord Jesus Christ’s public unveiling to Jerusalem; the religious center of Israel; and thus the nation, as Messiah. Yet in doing so Jesus does not come as a military conqueror, but again rather as one offering peace and salvation to all. That is how Jesus will come to you if you will receive Him here and now, not as a conqueror of your person, but just and lowly as your Savior and friend (consider Luke 9:51-56);  17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:17-18
Therefore it is incumbent upon us all that we believe and thus receive the Lord Jesus Christ here and now, trusting only in Him for the remission of all our sins and the salvation of our souls, and thus our deliverance from the wrath to come on the unbelieving and unrepentant world.
Now the jubilant declaration of the multitudes in verses nine and ten are principally taken from a psalm the Jews would sing in Messianic expectation, either on the way to and or in the Temple, being derived mostly from the passage of Psalm 118:26. And thus their words here being both a declaration of praise as well as a call for God through the Messiah to save them, indeed the entire nation. Their declaration then is almost an extension of the earlier blind man’s unsilenceable faith back in Jericho who continued to appeal to Jesus as the Son of David; even when warned not to; until Jesus healed him, and thus they too are now declaring Jesus Christ to be the Messiah. And so it will be against that backdrop of the worshiping multitudes, that Jesus will enter Jerusalem, and having looked around at all things, He leaves and returns to Bethany and lodges there with the twelve.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Note: Jesus' Temple Visitation, and His cleansing of it, is found in Mark 11:15-18

Mark 10:46-52

46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” 50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

Devotional
Jesus having come into the region of Judea on His way to Jerusalem by way of the ancient region and city of Jericho a city which was on a common travel route which linked to Capernaum north and south and Jerusalem east and west. In N.T. times the city of Jericho actually lay two kilometers south of the O.T. location. And it was near here that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and received the Holy Spirit from His Father when He began His public ministry. Now Jericho lies 800ft below sea level at the foot of the ascent to the Judean Mountains amongst which Jerusalem is situated some 2500ft above sea level. And thus serves as a wonderful metaphor for Jesus Christ’s ascension towards His destiny; a crucifixion death outside of the walls of Jerusalem by which He will save believing mankind from sin and death. For it’s not Jerusalem the holy city that saves men and women, its Christ’s cross (John 3:16). Now the passage says Jesus having come into the city of Jericho; and likely having preached and or healed there, that as He went out of the city, a great multitude followed Him and His disciples, and it was while this great procession was walking along the road with Jesus and His disciples going towards Jerusalem that a blind man named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road begging (vs. 46). The significance of which was that when the blind beggar Bartimaeus, heard that Jesus of Nazareth was coming towards Him that he begins to loudly cry out, saying: …“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” vs. 47

Now the passage says that as Bartimaeus did this, many people warned him to be quiet. In Luke’s gospel it gives some additional information saying that those who went before Jesus and the disciples warned him that he should be quiet (Luke 19:39). These were probably men who wanted to make sure the road was clear so as to keep the Lord’s progress from being hindered. They likely thought what they were doing what was right, as the disciples previously did when they similarly rebuked those who wanted to bring their children to Jesus so that He might bless them, but which only made Jesus greatly displeased when they did (Mark 10:13-16). Nonetheless though they warned him to be quiet Bartimaeus, would not be dissuaded; instead the Scripture says he cried out all the more, again saying, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” vs. 47 The significance of calling Jesus the Son of David is that Bartimaeus is acknowledging Jesus as the heir of King David's throne and thus the Messiah. Suffice it to say that Bartimaeus' literal blindness did not keep him spiritually blind from Christ while "seeing" Israel largely remained blinded and remains blinded until this day.

Therefore Bartimaeus would not be silenced, instead he kept calling out to Jesus, even after the people warned him not to; for to be quiet at such a time as this might be to lose the only chance he might ever have to connect with Christ. A chance he wasn’t going to take. And so with Bartimaeus’ continuing to do so, Jesus commands that he be brought to Him. Now when Jesus did so the people called to Bartimaeus, and said to him: “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” Vs. 49 Upon which Bartimaeus without hesitation throwing aside his garment rises and immediately comes to Jesus (vs. 50); quite a contrast to the rich young ruler who wouldn't leave his possessions to follow Jesus Christ. Now in doing so, Bartimaeus I believe, exemplifies a recklessness of faith (or maybe it is better described as an abandonment of ones life for Christ) that God always honors when anyone’s heart desires to know Him.

Look people may not understand everything about Jesus; but when someone acts in faith on the revelation that they have, of what they understand of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. God, I believe, always responds personally to them as Jesus does here with Bartimaeus. Whether this is through their reading His Word, or hearing a sermon preached, or through a believer’s testimony, or a Bible tract, or a Christian artists song, or book, or even through creation itself, without my finite mind trying to define this. I believe in the God of infinite possibilities; who calls things that do not exist into being so that they do exist; who will directly speak to their heart in some way, to communicate something of Himself and His gospel to them that they might believe and be saved. Since that is why the Lord Jesus Christ became a Man to bring men and women into a personal relationship with God the Father through faith in Himself.

Now clearly Bartimaeus being Jewish had come to believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah who was to come through King David’s linage as the Scriptures declare. And that is all Bartimaeus knew. Yet for Bartimaeus it was enough at that time, because he put all his faith in the revelation God had given Him of His Son. And that is all that God requires of us to put our trust in what He has done to save us, through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. You don’t need to be a Bible scholar to do that, or be able to explain all the great prophetic mysteries of the Bible, all you need is faith. Mustard seed sized faith that God will grow up in you as you let more and more of His revelation take root in your heart. A revelation when properly understood always point's people to Jesus Christ, God's Son as testified to in the Scriptures as the only Person for our salvation, worship and adoration, not someone or something less than Him (Rev. 19:10).
And so when Bartimaeus is brought before Him, Jesus says to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” vs. 51 To which Bartimaeus responds: “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Vs. 41 Notice Bartimaeus publically calls Jesus “Rabboni”***, which is an Aramaic term meaning: “My Great Master.” Now this was an official title normally reserved for the President of the Sanhedrin counsel. Which was a religious counsel made up of the two prevailing Jewish theological parties in ancient Israel, the Sadducees and the Pharisees who ruled over the Jews regarding all their religious affairs, thus by so doing Bartimaeus was publically declaring that Jesus Christ was his one and only Lord. And with that great declaration of Jesus Christ’s Supremacy, not just a rabbi, but the Rabbi or Lord, Jesus says to him … “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” Vs. 52 After which the Scripture says: …“And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.” Vs. 52 Now in the gospel of Luke it also says that after Bartimaeus received his sight that he followed Jesus, glorifying God, And when all the people saw that he was healed from his blindness they also began praising God (Luke 19:43).

Now just as Jesus healed Bartimaeus of his physical blindness, so Jesus can heal you of your spiritual blindness. For the Lord Jesus Christ alone has the Power to heal your soul and restore you to God the moment you believe in Him. Jesus Christ is the One who can satisfy what you have been trying to satisfy by your own means for so long. So instead of trying or pursuing more of this and that which always leaves you feeling empty inside, just surrender your heart to His, invite Jesus in, and He will bring God's love, joy, peace into your heart and soul. For God's invitation to new and everlasting life is to all.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Additional Resources
***W.E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine’s complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996.

Mark 10:32-45 Jesus foretells His crusifixion & teaches on Service

32 Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: 33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 “and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39 They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 “but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Devotional
Now as Jesus leads the disciples it says that He was going before them, not just physically but spiritually, for He was fully aware what lay ahead of Him at Jerusalem. And yet with boldness and conviction He moves courageously towards His destiny. Now the passage says that as Jesus was going before them that the disciples were amazed, and as they followed Him they were also afraid (vs. 32). Likely being amazed with the purpose and conviction Jesus was going forward, but likely also afraid (phobeo) because they as yet did not understand all that it would entail for Him or likely themselves.

So Jesus knowing their trepidation takes the twelve aside and begins to tell them again all that will happen to Him and says: “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 “and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” Vs. 33-34

Jesus had already spoken about this to the disciples, (Mark 8:31-9:1) but now with a greater urgency Jesus again tells the disciples again what is about to happen to Him. Now within Jesus’ graphic Words of His humiliation and death is His declaration of the eternal victory He will achieve with His death, then His resurrection on the third day for us all who believe. For through Jesus Christ’s crucifixion death, then His resurrection from the dead, God will accomplish victory over sin and death, and strip Satan of his power over death, which came to him because of mankind’s fall into sin and thus death when Adam and Eve transgressed against Him. Therefore Jesus Christ’s resurrection must proceed everyone else’s who believes in Him, so that we too can likewise rise from the dead to new everlasting life with Him. A resurrection life that began to be poured out into believer’s lives after Jesus’ own resurrection, then His ascension back to the God the Father, forty days after He rose from the dead on the third day. At which time He sent the Holy Spirit into the believer lives at Pentecost, which He continues to send into everyone who believes in Him, until His triumphant return for His own. Therefore Jesus Christ’s disciples will find that Jesus’ sufferings (to lesser or greater degrees) will likewise become their own. For as with the Lord Jesus Christ who first endured suffering and humiliation at the hands of sinful and wicked men before His own resurrection glory, so too must those who believe in Him. Therefore Jesus Words here are for the disciple’s encouragement, as these words are. That their faith might not fail when they encounter these things (Rom. 8:17), for truly Jesus Christ had to suffer many things and be crucified, then rise from the dead, so that He might bring many sons and daughters through faith in His Person into God’s eternal glory (Rom. 10:9-10, 13).

Now that’s the first part of the passage. And so with Jesus’ declaration of His humiliation and death, then His resurrection from the dead, He seems to have quelled the disciple’s fears. Yet in receiving the Word of God about Christ’s glory (and our living hope) through Jesus’ own resurrection from the dead (1 Peter 1:3), the brothers James and John only show (at that time) their carnal nature as Peter did when Jesus previously foretold these things to the twelve (See Mark 8:31-9:1). In that they only seek for themselves places of privileges with the Lord Jesus, saying: “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” Vs. 37

Now Jesus’ response is interesting in that He first seeks to quell their selfish ambitions by saying “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” vs. 38 To which they respond rather unabashedly, saying: “We are able” vs. 39 A rather audacious assertion given what Jesus just foretold. That it is only He who can suffer and die, and rise again for the sin of the world. Nonetheless Jesus graciously responds to them again by saying: …“You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 “but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” Vs. 39-40 Now in Jesus’ response first there is His foretelling of every believer’s co-death (i.e. “drink the cup”) and baptism with Himself. After He first attains to it for us all, then as people come to believe in Him, crucified and risen from the dead, they will share in it (See John 15:19-21; Rom. 6:1-11; Gal. 2:20). Now Jesus concludes His response to John and James request to sit at His right and His left in glory by indicating that it is not in the Will of God for Him to dish out places of privilege according to their (or any other) disciples desires, but rather “…it is for those for whom it is prepared.” For Jesus already promised the twelve disciples, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matt. 19:28 James and John’s request then was simply pure selfishness, at a time when Jesus was trying to prepare them (and Himself) for what lay ahead of them.
Now when the ten heard it the Scripture says that they began to be greatly displeased with James and John (vs. 41.). Notice that they began to be greatly displeased, but Jesus interceded before their displeasure could arise further. Instead Jesus calls all the disciples to Himself and says to us all: …“You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Vs. 42-45

Notice, Jesus says those who are considered rulers, lit. “rule” (i.e. are first in political rank or power, Strong’s) amongst the Gentiles lord it over them. For that that is what the Gentiles, and thus Jesus means unbelievers do; both in politics and in business, or wherever power is wielded and coveted. Therefore in contrast to how the world generally operates and defines a person’s significance; by what men and women attain for themselves, Jesus says: 43 “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Vs. 43-45

Notice that Jesus says if one desire to become great, they must be your servant and whoever desires to be first must be a slave of all. Now Jesus Words are not just an antidote to selfish ambition, though they certainly will quell that. But rather they are a command by which His leadership is to be defined and enacted. For Jesus concludes His mandate by saying: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Therefore Jesus Words are not an injunction against structures of leadership in the church, or anywhere else. For Jesus had already commissioned the twelve as His Apostles who would go on and lead and guide the early church. But for now they needed to learn what Kingdom leadership is to be like, for Jesus is not calling His disciples; and that means all of us who believe in Him; to worldly ambition, but rather servant hood with Him, and thus if someone desires to become great, than they shall be a servant of all. Not a lord, not a worldly ruler, but a servant of all of God’s people. For that is how the Lord Jesus Christ Himself lived. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Therefore greatness in the Kingdom of heaven is not, nor will it be measured by the positions of privilege one attains to, or by the power one yields, rather how they follow Christ in caring for and serving His people. Therefore the Biblical motif of the shepherd leading, seeking and caring for his flock in both Testaments, is the only model on how God’s people are to be shepherded (Num. 27:16-20; Isaiah 40:10-11; Luke 15:1-7: Ezekiel 34:1-16; John 10:11-18; 21:15-19; Acts 20:28-38; Heb. 13:20-21; 1 Peter 5:1-5 etc.).

Scripture Quotations:
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Additional Resources:
New Strong’s dictionary of Hebrew and Greek words, James Strong editor, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996.

Also consulted the King James Bible Commentary on verses Mark 10:38-40: Jerry Falwell, executive editor; Edward E. Hinson and Michael Kroll Woodrow, general editors.

Mark 10:23-31 Jesus teaches on true riches

23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” 28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” 29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 “who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Devotional
The rich young man having walked away after Jesus’ call to him to sell his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, and to take up his cross and follow Him. Jesus now looks to His disciples and says: “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” Then Jesus follows that up with an explanation: …“Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Vs. 24-25

Jesus' declaration of the impossibility of the rich entering the Kingdom of God, linking that with one trusting their riches is an important lesson for us all. For Jesus frequently cited the peril of not only trusting riches, but also the folly of being rich towards oneself and not being rich towards God (Luke 12:14-21). And more perilously of trying to serve God and mammon (Matt. 6:21-24). Now when Jesus warned the people of trying to serve God and money. The Pharisees who themselves were lovers of money derided Him, but Jesus responded to them by saying: “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15

Therefore those who distort the gospel and make it into a means to get rich are utterly out of step with the gospel of God (2 Cor. 2:17; 1 Tim. 6:5-10). Though that is not the Lord’s emphasis here, rather the impossibility of those who are rich (i.e. who trust in their riches) entering the Kingdom of God. Which caused His disciples to be greatly astonished and they began to say among themselves …“Who then can be saved?” 27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Vs. 26-27

Therefore what man cannot do for himself, to save himself, God can do for him, “…for with God all things are possible” vs. 27 I believe that is the point, that it is God's grace alone given to us through faith in Jesus Christ which saves us (Eph. 2:8-9). Yet for those who are rich, who make wealth their trust they will find entering the Kingdom of heaven impossible, since God will be subservient to nothing or no one (Consider Mark 8:34-9:1). Unfortunately that trust in wealth was clearly demonstrated in the rich young man’s attitude when he both justified himself to Jesus (Consider Rev. 3:17-22), but also thought to purchase the Kingdom of heaven by doing a “good thing.” All which Jesus exposed by telling to him to go sell all that he had and give it to the poor, and then come pick up the cross and follow Him. In other words first go and free yourself from what is holding your heart, so your heart might take hold of Mine. To which he became sorrowful and walked away for he had great riches. Now Jesus pronounced woes on those who are rich, saying they have their reward (Luke 6:24). Therefore we should all wisely heed what the Apostle Paul exhorted when by the Holy Spirit he wrote; 17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim. 6:17-19

Therefore we who believe should all seek to develop and grow a generous and giving heart in this life so that God might entrust us with eternal riches. For when the unrighteous mammon fails, as it always does; failing to deliver one’s soul (Ps. 49:6-9) as well as preserve one’s life (Job 36:17-19). People might receive us into everlasting habitations, as Jesus said in Luke 16:9-13.

Now returning to the passage, when Jesus had spoken these things to the disciples 28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” 29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 “who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Vs. 28-31

Here then the Lord Jesus promises proportional rewards for those who have sacrificially followed Him. For salvation is the same for everyone, coming solely as a gift of God's love to all who believe in Jesus. Nobody earns it, and nobody by their conduct deserves it, it is the solely gift and prerogative of God (Rom. 9:11).

Therefore in contrast to the rich young man who was first in this life and who walked away from Jesus for his mammon (or riches) treasuring them, and likely his status in the community more than eternal life. The Apostle Peter now, rather unabashedly asserts how both he and the disciples have left all to follow Jesus. And with that Jesus responds by saying, not that they have purchased eternal life for themselves by doing so. For that would be an affront to His Person, Purposes and cross which alone purchases eternal life for us. Rather by doing so they have now gotten eternal riches, beginning in this life. For Jesus says they, and all who do so, will be repaid a hundred fold. Likely meaning with new Christian relations and thus homes and lands where they (and all who believe) will be welcome; along with persecutions where they (and all who believe) will not be welcome; Nonetheless all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will have “…in the age to come eternal life”.

Now Jesus in saying that those who leave behind a “…house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s…” is not saying that Jesus wants people to forsake their earthly responsibilities, i.e. A father who leaves behind his wife and children for Jesus Christ’s sake and the gospel’s does not mean that he leaves them to fend for themselves, or that he abandons them altogether. Forsaking all for Jesus Christ never entails such things as that. Jesus’ point is simply to assert that whatever sacrifices anyone makes in this life for His sake and the gospel’s, because they believe in Him, will be bountifully repaid. That is the point Jesus is making in verses twenty nine-thirty. Now Jesus concluded by saying “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” vs. 31

Notice too Jesus doesn’t say all who are first “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Clearly indicating that those who prioritize their lives affairs for this life are setting themselves up for a lower position in eternity.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 10:17-22 Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler

17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” 20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Devotional
Jesus having already said that unless one has child like faith or trust in Him they cannot enter the Kingdom of God, now is approached by a man who by outward appearances appears both eager and humble to do just that, as he comes running to Jesus and kneels before Him. Yet by his brief conversation with Jesus he will reveal a fundamental error in seeking to enter the Kingdom of God when he says to Jesus: …“Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” vs. 17
Now his greeting of Jesus and question to Him seems harmless enough, yet it reveals a fundamental error in his view of himself, and the human condition, as Jesus rejects his calling Him Good Teacher by immediately responding back to him, saying: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” Vs. 18 For if people are fundamentally good as the man asserted that Jesus was (which of course Jesus is) but judging by Jesus’ response to him, that was how that man saw himself, as a fundamentally good person, then there would be no need for Jesus Christ to be crucified. The whole human race would not need both atonement for their sins and their sin nature, which makes us all corrupted in the eyes of God, but we all would not then need regeneration by God's Spirit to transform our persons and thus make us fit for the Kingdom of heaven. We would simply need to be taught how to be "good people" and all the evil, violence, immorality, wickedness, greed, maliciousness and on it goes would simply end. People would simply love one another and do unto others as they would have done to them, as Jesus commands of us all. And the world would be a peaceful and happy place. Yet as we know even so called "good people" have within themselves both the means and will to do evil, to be manipulative, greedy, hateful, unforgiving, unloving, unkind, selfish, rude, arrogant etc. and thus manifest the fruits of such through their own so called "good" lives. Therefore the man’s basic premise that he or anyone else was fundamentally good was fundamentally flawed. For as Jesus would retort back to him, "No one is Good but God alone."
And so when we compare ourselves to other people (in this case to a good person) that we think is like person, we can easily justify ourselves. And that is what the rich young ruler was essentially doing when he greeted Jesus in that manner. He was putting himself on a plane of righteousness which belongs to God alone. Now in response to the rich young ruler's inquiry about what he must do to enter the Kingdom of heaven, he by inquiring as much also revealed that he himself did not yet see that through the Law, and by ones own obedience to it, no one can inherit eternal life. For as the Law reveals, both through the nation of Israel, as well as the individuals who were charged with keeping it, (if not our own lives as well) “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” Rom. 3:23 Therefore no one has ever kept God's commandments in such a way as to stand justified in His sight by their obedience to them. For that is what is required to have eternal life to be justified by God who alone is Good. And so from the greatest of the Old Testament saints to least of them, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. And so this young rulers wrong perception of himself Jesus will now tactfully expose, by first giving him opportunity to justify himself, which he had already done when he approached Jesus in that manner, (not in childlike faith, but rather in his own self-assurance that he could do something to earn salvation for himself), than Jesus will challenge him to follow in such a way so as to reveal what was really the "god" of his heart and life. Therefore having stated the exclusive Goodness of God, Jesus goes on to answer the man’s initial question, “…what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Not so that the man will think to gain eternal life by his own efforts, but rather so that he might see his own sinfulness and thus his need to be justified by God through faith (i.e. trust) in His Person. And so Jesus begins by stating six of God’s Ten Commandments which were to keep His people in a covenant relationship with Himself. Notice the ones Jesus cites, all have to do with one's relationship towards one's fellow person. ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” In the Laws table the first four Commandments have to do with one’s relationship to God. While the next six have to do with one’s relationship to their fellow person. It seems than Jesus intentionally did not cite those having to do with one’s relationship with God, since as we will see the man had an idol in his life which was keeping his heart from God. And thus having cited our duty towards our fellow persons, the man responds to Jesus by saying: “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Vs. 20 No doubt the man was a moral and principled person in that he tried to live in such a way so as not to do any intentional harm to his fellow person/s, by committing adultery, or murder, or stealing, or bearing false witness, or defrauding anyone., even honoring his parents, the man was sound in his life. Just as there are people today who though not having eternal life conduct themselves in an upright manner before God, and thus have His approval for doing so.
And so it is when the man declared these things to Jesus, the Scripture states: “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” Vs. 22 Notice first that Jesus having heard his response looks at him and He loves him. Loves him for his obedience to God, yes, but loves him for who he is, a person who is honestly seeking eternal life. And so it is that with the mans declaration of having kept God's commands, Jesus will now say to him; “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” Vs. 21 Now I want to be quite specific on what Jesus said here that His Word was spoken to this man in the context of this man asking Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Therefore Jesus’ response to him is not a formula for buying eternal life for oneself by selling all their possessions and giving the proceeds to the poor. Eternal life is a gift from God which cannot be purchased either by money or by our own self sacrifices (Eph 2:8-9). Instead by saying as much to Him Jesus was showing him just how much his wealth and privileges as a rich young ruler had come to mean to him. For God is not opposed to our having possessions, just their possessing us. Yet when Jesus asked him to forgo his possessions, to sell them and give the proceeds to the poor, promising him treasures in heaven if he did, and then come and take up the cross and follow Him, the man at Christ’s Word went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. For it appears he had made them his “god.” And thus his life was being lived in their service, not God’s. For though he kept several commandments of God his trust was not in God, but in his riches, which as the Jesus warns elsewhere cannot be held in parallel with God (Matt 6:19-24). Therefore Jesus knowing that these were keeping him from God, told him to sell whatever he had and give the proceeds to the poor; assuring him he would have treasures in heaven if he did; and then come, take up the cross, and follow Me. In other words God wants our hearts wide and unconditionally open to Him. He doesn't just want us to do a “good thing” for Him, He wants us to surrender our lives to Him. Therefore whatever is a hindrance to our following the Lord Jesus Christ we must forsake. For the man thought eternal life was something which one earned for himself, and then simply added it to his life along with all of his other possessions and pursuits. Therefore the man did not understand the fundamental nature of it, nor of himself, that he was utterly incapable of self redemption, of earning salvation through his own efforts. Yet when Jesus asked him to surrender the one thing that was keeping him from eternal life. Though he had been moved towards Jesus when he saw the way Jesus loved the children and blessed them. He would not forsake his riches for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake and the gospel. His love of his possessions outweighed His desire for eternal life (consider Jesus' warnings in the Parable of the Sower about this, see Matt. 13:22; Mark 4:19). And so it is that his love of his possessions would keep him from having the love of God, forever.
And so it is when the rich young ruler came to Jesus wanting to justify himself, putting himself on an equal plane with God by his own self righteous assertion of having kept God's commandments, Jesus allowed him his own righteousness. Yet in doing so he never got to the grace of God. Instead he just went away from Jesus, sad, because he treasured the things of this life that he had acquired for himself more than eternal life. For again unless we forsake all that we have Jesus says we cannot be His disciple (Luke 14:33). Now in regards to this consider what the Apostle Paul wrote of himself regarding  the things he formerly "treasured", that he thought commend him to God or commended him in the sight of others: 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Phil. 3:7-11

Have you then come to place of wanting eternal life more than whatever? Are you willing to follow Jesus no matter what the cost? Don't trade your soul for what will not last (Mark 8:36-39). The Lord Jesus Christ 's invitation to eternal life is right here and now for you. But you have to make a personal decision to pick up the cross and to daily follow Him. Which begins by first inviting Him into your heart and life. For following Jesus always begins with first seeing one’s own sin and need to be redeemed from it, and so begin by acknowledging your own brokenness to God, that you need Jesus Christ to save you because you cannot save, nor change yourself. Therefore if you believe and see your need for Christ, and want Him to be your Lord and Savior, then please pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe you died on the cross and rose from the dead for my sins forgiveness, so that I could have new and everlasting life the moment I believe in You. Lord Jesus I do believe in You and by faith I accept You as My Lord and Savior, in Your Name Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Now if you have made that wonderful decision to believe in God’s love for you and trust His Son Jesus Christ’s death on the cross to save you, than you are saved (John 3:16). For the Scripture says we are sealed with the Holy Spirit the moment we believe (Eph. 1:13-14). Now it is the Holy Spirit who not only brings us into a relationship with God the Father through our faith in Jesus Christ His Son but it is He who also transforms our person to be more and more like Jesus Christ's, which is God’s plan for us all who believe to be His image bearers. For in bearing His image we also find our own. Therefore I encourage you to seek out God’s Word and learn what Jesus Christ not only commands of us, but also has laid up for us with Himself. Since He is always with us and is always Advocating for us as we move through this life on our journey’s home. May God bless you and yours, and may His love, Jesus Christ’s eternal love, richly fill you all, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.