relationships (Mark 12:1-44) Having and Giving Control

(Mark 12:1-44)

And He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it, and dug a vat under the wine press and built a tower, and leased it to vine-growers and went on a journey. 2 And at the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive his share of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers. 3 And they took him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. 4 And again he sent them another slave, and they wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. 5 And he sent another, and that one they killed; and so with many others, beating some and killing others. 6 He had one more man to send, a beloved son; he sent him to them last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 But those vine-growers said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’ 8 And they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and put the vine-growers to death, and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not even read this Scripture:

     ‘A stone which the builders rejected,
     This has become the chief cornerstone;
11 This came about from the Lord,
     And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

12 And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He told the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

If we were looking at this parable with only a mind for business, we'd like to think that God would have dealt with these evil tenants immediately, with swift justice!  But now let's consider it for what it is, a spiritual overview of Israel over hundreds and hundreds of years up until that point.  God in His sovereignty, allows mankind the freedom to accept or reject Him and His way.  And one day, when Jesus returns to sit on the throne and reign over Israel and all the earth, there will be worldwide peace.  And finally, after giving each individual their fair opportunity to make their eternal decision, everyone will go to their eternal destination that they have chosen.

As Jesus is referring to how it is spiritually, we have to know that our sinful inclination in life is to selfishly control things.  In order to have our own way, we will even try to "create" God in our own image.  If we look around, we can see many religions and cults, and all of them involve mankind having the control, and insisting that they or you must do such-and-such to attain some higher level or status...  Sounds a lot like a business model, doesn't it!  But this is not God's way at all.

Christianity, which is to be a Christ-follower... is to give the Lord Jesus Christ the control, the honor and the glory... for so many reasons!  Even if we just assess ourselves honestly, we've got to know that we (mankind) do not have the answers!  We are NOT perfect, nor all-knowing, nor all-powerful, nor everywhere-present... Left to ourselves and our way, we will only make a mess of things. So...

What is jumping out to me right now is- just how loving and patient God is with us.  All the Lord wants and has ever wanted is a personal relationship with us.  This is why He created us in the first place, and this is why He came to die in our place!  And while we might impatiently wonder why God doesn't just wipe out all these selfish, power and money hungry tyrants, let's ask ourselves, here:  Have I ever been selfish and stingy with what God has given me?  Have I ever had negative thoughts towards spiritual leaders or well-meaning Christians who were just trying to encourage me?  Have I ever just wanted to do things my way, and completely ignore God's way?

To whatever degree, it would be impossible to say no to any of those questions.  Therefore, we can appreciate just how patient God has been with us, and in that, see our great need for the Lord to be in our lives.  As well, we should appreciate our steadfast Christian leaders, mentors and friends, who serve as accountability measures, and help guide us towards continuously growing closer in a healthy relationship with the Lord, which will then help us in our relationship with others.

This is what it means to have Jesus as our chief cornerstone.  And this is not about "having NO control".  As Christians, we have the control- to give God the control- for each and every step and decision that we make.  There is no autopilot to do this, because, very simply, the Lord is looking for a love relationship with us, in which we interact with Him, every day, every minute, all the time, for everything!  Our choice!

relationships (Mark 11:27-33) Game-Playing Doesn't Work!

(Mark 11:27-33)

27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him, 28 and began saying to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?” 29 But Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.” 31 And they began considering the implications among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 32 But should we say, ‘From men’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all considered John to have been a real prophet. 33 Answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Oh, these guys... Jesus just cleaned up His temple the other day, and they knew that Jesus was right in doing so.  But that didn't matter.  They hated Him, and they were just looking for an excuse to hate Him more, and to kill Him, because they wanted the control to do what they wanted to do- or not do.  And, they actually thought that they could outsmart Jesus and get Him to say something stupid, which would then incriminate Himself.  But- talk about a mic-drop-moment.

Yet, how often do we try to outsmart the Lord with false justifications, lame excuses, or attempts to distract Him from seeing something we did, or something we want, even though we already know it's wrong.  But if we continue down that wrong path, we are only hurting ourselves, and others, but most especially, WE are hurting our relationship with the Lord!  While we cannot lose our salvation, we can suffer the consequences of our actions.  And while we wallow in self-pity and selfishly, angrily cry out "Why?" and try to blame God, Jesus will be like- "Neither am I telling you..."

Here's the great part!  And if we say that we love the Lord, we have to know this!  Jesus is still here, still loving us, and waiting for us to return to Him and His will.  Things are so much better "there".  Us talking to the Lord, the Lord talking with us!  The Lord warning us about the dangers of sin... us wisely listening and obeying!   No need to play games, because it won't work anyway.  God knows everything!  And because we have chosen to love Him- BECAUSE He loves us- we KNOW that He cares, and desires the best for us, and desires that we have a close relationship with Him, and others!

relationships (Mark 11:20-26) Purposeful Meaning

(Mark 11:20-26)

20 As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. 21 And being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree that You cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted to him. 24 Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you for your offenses. 26 [But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your offenses.”]

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Remember from the devotion two days ago, this fig tree with leaves did not have any fruit in it, and therefore, it was known that this tree would not be producing any fruit at all, for the entire year, even in season. The symbolism was that some people might appear to be believers, but in that condition of not believing and not having faith in God, they would not have eternal life, and they would never produce any fruit.  But, is there any hope for these people?

Like most people, I enjoy seeing results!  If I'm working on something, and never see anything come of it, it can be totally disheartening.  Questions arise, like, "What is the meaning and purpose of all this, anyway?"  And this question will be asked of our lives, in general.  Of course, the answer is to put our faith in the Lord God!  

Here is our hope!  Here, Jesus tells the disciples to have faith in God.  In our belief, we will have a personal relationship with the Lord, allowing us to go to Him and make requests.  With God, there isn't any request too big.  With God, all things are possible.  Therefore, He will equip and help us accomplish whatever it is that He asks of us.  And God will bring down all obstacles opposing the things that He designates.  And in our relationship with and In Him, as we strive to live out His will, in His love, wisdom, guidance and strength, we will produce fruit, all to His glory.  

God's will includes us forgiving those who have hurt us.  Does that sound impossible to do?  Well, with God all things are possible.  Therefore, ask Him to forgive those people FOR you.  And trust me, I know from experience, this will lighten your load, and change you from the inside-out!  And this- and more- is the evidence of our faith in the Lord.  This- is the evidence that there is hope, truth, joy, purposeful meaning and satisfaction!

relationships (Mark 11:15-19) Sacrificial Love

(Mark 11:15-19)

15 Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple area and began to drive out those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16 and He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple grounds. 17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard this, and they began seeking how to put Him to death; for they were afraid of Him, because all the crowd was astonished at His teaching.

19 And whenever evening came, they would leave the city.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

It wasn't wrong for anyone to sell what was necessary for making sacrifices, but it was wrong to be carrying out this business inside the temple itself.  And perhaps, some of the sellers were making too large of a profit margin.  For instance, for certain sacrifices, if and when people couldn't afford a larger animal, it was fully acceptable to God that they sacrifice a dove.  

God was and is very practical in His expectations.  Take tithing, for example.  At the very least, only ten percent of one's income is expected.  And understand that ten percent of nothing- is nothing.  It is all about giving of the "first fruits" of all that God has given to us.  This is a physical act of sacrifice, demonstrating our faith and trust in God, that He will provide.  God even tells us to test Him in this.

God is not only faithful, reasonable, practical, and generous, but let's remember that He is love.  Take notice in verse 17, Jesus claims that His house is to be called a house of prayer FOR ALL THE NATIONS!.  Not just for the Jews.  

Remember, within the Abrahamic covenant, God promised that through their seed (descendants)- all nations would be blessed!  How so?  To replace the symbolic animal sacrificial system which temporarily covered people's sins, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, came in flesh to be the ultimate and final sacrifice for sin.  He went to the cross to pay for all sins, of all time, for all people.  He is our ultimate example of unconditional, sacrificial love!

relationships (Mark 11:12-14) Evidence of Love

(Mark 11:12-14)

12 On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. 13 Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

It is important to understand fig trees in that region in order to understand this allegory.  While it is still out of season, IF a fig tree has leaves, it will have some early fruit in it.  IF a fig tree has leaves but no fruit, in season or not, that tree will not bear any figs for the entire year.  

The lesson that Jesus is giving the disciples, is that there are some people who appear to be believers, but they are not.  They are just going through the motions, without God in their lives.  So, UNLESS and UNTIL they become true believers, they are "cursed".  Without salvation in Jesus, they will not have a personal relationship with the Lord, therefore they will not produce any spiritual fruit, nor will they get into heaven...

Anyone who is a believer, will produce fruit, to some degree.  Other people will sense that there is something different about us, because there will be evidence of God in our lives.  The closer we draw to the Lord, the more the Lord will be working in our lives, the more fruit we will produce with the Lord's help and guidance, because it will be all to God's glory... And this fruit that is produced in the love and righteousness of Jesus, will somehow help bring about God's nourishment to the souls of others.  Producing fruit doesn't get us into heaven, it is the evidence that we are true believers.

relationships (Mark 11:1-11) Spiritual Leads to Physical Peace

(Mark 11:1-11)

And as they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, 2 and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. 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 back here.” 4 They went away and found a colt tied at the door, outside in the street; and they untied it. 5 And some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them just as Jesus had said, and they gave them permission. 7 They brought the colt to Jesus and put their cloaks on it; and He sat on it. 8 And many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went in front and those who followed were shouting:

     “Hosanna!
     Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;
10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David;
     Hosanna in the highest!”

11 And Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple area; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

The people were crying "Hosanna"- "save us"!  And they were shouting out for the coming kingdom- when their Messiah would sit on the throne and usher in physical worldwide peace.  This is when the Israelites would have all their covenants fulfilled and receive their promised land, seed and blessings.  But the Jews were missing one very important factor- personal salvation!

The Lord knew that it was not time for the Millennial kingdom.  He still had to go to the cross, to die and rise again, to have victory over sin and death- to provide the way to Him and His salvation.  Where there is sin- there is death (physical AND spiritual, which is a separation between us and God).  All we have to do is shout "Hosanna"- "Save us- from our sins!" making Jesus our personal Lord, Savior and King, which brings us spiritual peace, and a recondition with God.

During the Tribulation, when the Israelites see the signs of Jesus' second coming, they will as a nation- believe- that Jesus was and is their Messiah (Christ the Lord)- the rightful King to sit on the throne of David, as well as the King of kings, and Lord of lords.  Meanwhile, we have the honor to serve the Lord God, and declare to the world the message of His wonderful, precious gift of salvation of spiritual peace, which can only be found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

relationships (Mark 10:46-52) Unencumbered Closeness

(Mark 10:46-52)

46 Then they came to Jericho. And later, as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a beggar who was blind named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they called the man who was blind, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 And replying to him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the man who was blind said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

All too many times, we worry about the optics for ourselves or maybe for someone we might follow and respect.  Obviously, we are to respect others, and unless life-threatening, it would be rude to interrupt or create a disturbance during a royal procession.  Afterall, there is to be decorum and crowd management, for safety reasons, as well as for all the other people to have the ability to fully enjoy the pomp and circumstance.  But here is a blind man, at the mercy and charity of others.  And there goes Jesus, making His way out of the city.  That was most likely this man's last opportunity, and he was going to do whatever he could to get Jesus' attention.

Now, this man was already a believer.  We can know this, because he referred to Jesus as the Son of David, and Rabboni, which translates to master- chief- prince- Lord- CHRIST!!!  Although blind and unable to read any scriptures, he had certainly been listening!  And this man knew that Jesus was their promised Messiah (Christ).

Now, also notice that Jesus doesn't go to the man- who is blind!  He calls him over.  I'm quite sure that this man, who KNEW the Lord as his personal Savior, could sense exactly where Jesus was standing!  And not only could he find his way to Jesus, he threw off his cloak, which was a very valuable article of clothing, which would also serve as one's blanket at night, and in the day, a collection bag of sorts.  The man wanted to be unencumbered by such "frivolous" things, so that he could hurry to Jesus' side!

Jesus had no stern warnings for this man.  Jesus didn't even speak to him about not sinning anymore.  Jesus simply asked what the man wanted, and then told him that his faith had made him well.  And then the man physically followed Jesus!

I'm struck here with a thought.  A few chapters back, we were told that Jesus left His hometown, unable to do many miracles there because of the lack of faith.  Here we see that because of the man's faith, his "prayer" request was answered and he was physically healed.  From other scripture, we know that sin impedes our prayers and that praying in God's will, with faith, will result in answered prayers... Therefore, we need to realize that lacking faith, belief and trust in God- is- a sin- which we should not only confess, but we can ask the Lord to help us in having more faith, belief and trust.  Just like the one man said, "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!"  Brilliant!!!  And this is a prayer request that God will definitely answer!

In a personal relationship with the Lord, we will know that He is God!  With God all things are possible... including and especially His work on the cross!  If and when we stray away- it is IF-AND-WHEN we decide to look for His light, we will see Him, so that we can run back to Him!  If and when circumstances bring struggles into our lives, it is IF-AND-WHEN we continue to get to know Jesus better, that we can sense His presence, so that we stay close to Him!  So, do we know Him enough to recognize His light and sense His presence?  In our needs and in our excitement, do we enthusiastically toss aside everything that encumbers us from being by Jesus' side and following Him?