July 31, 2009
Posted by Hector Gonzalez
Observations and comments of details that may seem minute, but add to the Lordship of Jesus:
- The accuracy of Jesus words in reference to the status of the colt and what the bystanders will say and how they would respond once the disciples said “The Lord has need of it”.
- I grew up in the city and have no experience with farm animals, but I’ve been told you can’t ride or sit on a horse, colt or donkey, unless they have been broken in. This colt allowed itself to be untied, and taken out of town w/o a struggle; Jesus also sat on this colt but there’s no indication the colt tried to knock Jesus off. The unbroken colt reacts in a broken fashion.
- The King arrives on a colt…, such humility!
Minute details, which I think display the knowledge, power and humility of Jesus.
I know this is silly, but this colt (you can see that I’m hung up on this animal) didn’t need to be ‘broken’ for Jesus to use it. I can’t say that about my own life…
Lastly, there is the Triumphant entrance of Jesus, when I read of it in the gospels, I can’t help think how quickly they (the worshippers) in one voice later on in the same week cry out “Crucify Him!”
But it’s all worth it isn’t it! His arrival meant that the bondage of sin and death would soon be broken.
In the book of Revelation there is a great song…
And they *sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” (Revelation 5:9-12)
July 30, 2009
Posted by Greg McKinney
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Large crowds of people of many different motivations are still following Jesus. I’m convinced most still don’t realize who it is they are following, and certainly do not understand where and why He was now headed. The closest to Him, the twelve, didn’t completely understand, and He had just plainly told them.
A crowd has a sound of it’s own. Dozens, if not hundreds of conversations, debates, arguments, chants, cheers, (probably some jeers) all going on at once combine chaotically. Through all of this, Jesus hears a distressed voice calling out.
The voice calls out ‘Son of David!’ and asks for mercy.
That Jesus hears this voice is incredible enough. But the ‘address’ the voice uses makes it stand out above all else that is going on. ‘Son of David’ carried a weight of recognition. Isaiah understood the weight of it. Jeremiah understood. Ezekiel understood. It was the prophetic term they used to prophesize about the ‘branch’ of David. The Messiah. And it stood out to Jesus as clearly as a mother’s child’s voice stands out among dozens of other children’s’ voices in a crowded playground.
Jesus recognized the voice immediately as belonging to one of his children and stopped everything to address him.
And then face to face, the blind man called Jesus his ‘Teacher.’ For some reason, it struck me as more than just being polite. It was sincere. Personal. And I think Jesus took it that way.
The whirlwind of a crowd cannot drown out the voice of those Jesus calls his own. Circumstance cannot. Lowly stature in this world cannot. He hears our voice. He wants communion with us. He wants our dependence. Though those closest to the blind man tried to hush him, Jesus contradicted, and told them to bring the man to him.
(It is noteworthy that this record follows Jesus’ instruction to the Twelve about the ‘greatest’ in His kingdom and servanthood…)
In the past, when reading the accounts of Jesus’ ‘miracles’ I found it very hard to understand Jesus’ statement to the fact that ‘your faith as healed you.’ I never could understand what the person had done to demonstrate faith.
A couple of thoughts occur today. I am reminded that the Lord sees and knows our heart and deeds, very much as He demonstrated with the Samaritan woman at the well.
The act of coming to the Lord during tribulation can be an act of faith in itself. But it is not complete in itself. Even unbelievers pray when their backs are against the wall. I believe the Lord recognizes a ‘heart of faith’-a humble heart, a heart that is not self-sufficient, a heart of sincere dependence upon the Him, that has demonstrated deeds of faith, and is open to acts of faith/obedience in the future. Though it is not in the text, I believe that was the heart of this blind man, not visible/recognizable to other men. Jesus did not have to ask the man to recite the Apostle’s Creed or to give some proof of faith at that moment. Jesus simply said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ He declared the man faithful. He saw the man’s heart. It was what marked this man as a child of the Lord, and Jesus responded.
We either come to the Lord with a ‘heart of faith’ or do not.
Lord, Son of David, thank you for your devotion to us. Thank you for hearing me above the commotion of this present circumstance. Help me protect my heart and incline it towards you, that I may hear your voice above my circumstance as well.
July 29, 2009
Read and meditate on Mark 10:35-45 today…
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%2010&version=31
35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
Then. Right after Jesus reminded His disciples that He was going to be betrayed, condemned, mocked, spit upon, flogged, killed, and then rise again, James and John approach Him with this request. Seems like a disconnect, doesn’t it? They heard Jesus. Jesus spoke plainly about what was going to happen. Betrayal. Intense suffering. Death. It certainly doesn’t seem like the opportune time to start asking personal requests. But James and John do…
Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask. If nothing else, you have to admire their boldness. They apparently pull Jesus aside and whisper this to Him. They don’t want the other disciples to know what is going on. “Jesus, we want something from You.”
In this context, the request seems out of place, inappropriate. How could they ask this at this time? But then I wonder…how often do I ask God the same thing? “God, I want You to do for me whatever I ask.” That pretty much sums up my prayer life! I can read God’s Word. I can hear His reminder that I will face trouble in this world. I can embrace His promise that everything in my life will ultimately work together for my good and for His glory. And after knowing all that, I can still basically pray, “Lord, I want this for myself.”
What is James and John’s request? For greatness.
“Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
We want the places of honor in Your kingdom, Jesus.
James and John really don’t understand Jesus’ talk about suffering and death. Perhaps they see it as symbolic of some great struggle that Jesus will have with the religious leaders and the Roman government. But when they hear that He will rise again, they must assume that this is Jesus’ ascension to rulership, to authority, to greatness. They want a piece of that. They want to be great.
How much of what I do is driven by a desire to be great? It is a hard question to ask myself. Yet the desire obviously abides in the heart of man, even in the heart of Christ’s most loyal followers. The disciples got into arguments about greatness. James and John bluntly asked for it. The other disciples were mad they didn’t have the audacity to ask first.
I think the desire dwells in men more than in women. Men value strength. Greatness is strength exemplified. But interestingly, in Matthew’s account (20:20), it is James and John’s mom who initially approaches Jesus with the request for her sons. She apparently has been following along in the background, proud of her sons, waiting for the day when their radical decision to follow Jesus begins to pay off. What would she stand to gain if her sons became great? Social standing. Personal accolades. Vicarious pride and joy in the success of her sons. Women may not be as driven for personal greatness as men. But they still long to have their needs met, to be seen as successful in life and in relationships, to have great husbands, homes, and children. (Women, feel free to share your thoughts here!)
Can I use Jesus for my own greatness? Can I follow Him simply for my own benefit, for what I can get? Can I actually use His name to try to make my own name great? The blunt answer is “yes.” Lord, forgive me. Deliver me.
What is the antidote? Servanthood.
24When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus has to assemble the disciples together. A rift is already starting to develop. Pride only breeds quarrels… (Proverbs 13:10). Is it possible that most, if not all, of our quarrels, divisions, arguments, conflicts are rooted in our desire for personal greatness? Jesus has to correct this.
“You want to be great in God’s eyes? Then be a servant. Serve others. Lower yourself and love others.”
God’s path to greatness has nothing to do with authority, with position, with titles, with accolades, with popularity, with attention or with fame. It has everything to do with loving and serving others.
Jesus did not come to gain attention or adoring crowds. Indeed, reading Mark’s gospel, I am struck by how many times Jesus tried to lessen His fame, put a cork on His popularity, keep His miracles in the background. Jesus came to serve and to give His life a ransom for many. To serve and to sacrifice. To care for individuals and to love them.
If no one ever knows your name. If you die quietly in the background. Yet you loved others with the love of Christ. You washed feet. You served faithfully. In God’s kingdom, you are great.
Lord, I am so enamored with the world’s idea of greatness. I find a pull inside of me toward titles, position, influence, accolades, attention, success. Forgive me. Teach me to serve others even if my name is never recognized. May the greatness of Your name, not my own, be my goal.
July 28, 2009
Posted by Carlton Huff
32They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33“We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
This passage follows a discourse on entering the kingdom of God that evidently astonished the disciples, but scared those who followed Jesus. How did that happen? Why were the reactions of the disciples so different from the reactions of the people who were following?
I figure the disciples got excited when Jesus told them in the preceding verses that if they left their jobs and family for Him and the gospel, they would reap bountifully. That was them. They were in for the long haul. Jesus called and they came without reservation. They might have been too excited to hear about the price that would be required – persecution, but we’ll save that for another discussion.
As for the rest of those following Jesus, they were afraid. Why? Did they think the promises Jesus had just made applied only to the twelve? Didn’t they want those things that Jesus promised? Didn’t they want eternal life in the age to come? Maybe, just maybe, they hadn’t really left their families, homes, and jobs. Maybe they were just there for the handouts and the healings. It reminds me of my two favorite words – free and food, especially when they are put together! Who of us wouldn’t be up for a freebie?
I don’t know what their reasons, but Mark says they were afraid. Were they hung up on the persecution aspect? I don’t think so. I think it was a matter of commitment. They weren’t sold out. They hadn’t bought in.
So, one lesson we can apply from this one verse is fairly obvious. Our response to the promises of Jesus will differ depending on the extent to which we have bought into Jesus. Like Peter said “We have left everything to follow You.” Have you left everything to follow Jesus? You don’t have to tell me, I can see it by the way you have responded to Jesus’ call on your life. You are either astonished…or afraid. If you have heard His call, leave your homes, your families, your jobs, and your fear behind and follow Him.
Lord of All, give us the courage to leave everything and follow Your Son without reservation or fear. Amen.
July 26, 2009
Read and meditate on Mark 10:13-16 today…
13People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Well, my four year old is sitting on my lap while I am trying to write this. At first I told him that he needed to get down so that I could type. Then rereading the passage I thought, “Maybe it’s best he stays on my lap.” It doesn’t make much sense to shoo away your four year old when you are talking about Jesus receiving little children to Himself!
Children teach us a lot. In Mark 9, Jesus used ministry to children as an illustration of servanthood. The disciples didn’t get it. Now, a chapter later, Jesus is using children to teach them about the kingdom of God. I have a feeling that the disciples still didn’t get it.
The disciples, at this point, see little children as a nuisance to the real ministry of Jesus. “Go away, little kids. Jesus has some important things to do.” The disciples are really mad at the parents for interrupting Jesus with such trivial matters. Jesus, in turn, rebukes the disciples.
Jesus had time for children. He operated under a totally different value system than the disciples. What was a nuisance to the disciples was a blessed interruption for Jesus.
But what is really intriguing is Jesus’ statement…the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.
Jesus is not talking about the supposed innocence of children. Children are not as guilty as adults but they still have a selfish nature that manifests itself quite early. It is not innocence that gets us into the kingdom of God.If so, then we are all in trouble!
Rather Jesus is talking about the dependence of children, the openness of their hearts, their willingness to receive gifts, their eagerness to jump into Jesus’ arms and be embraced by Him.
As adults, we start building walls around our hearts. We become hard, independent, untrusting, cold, protective. I guess if you have been through enough hurts, you realize that nothing comes easy in life and that no one can ultimately be trusted. If you are going to make it, you have to launch out on your own…trust no one…depend on no one…be vulnerable to no one…get things for yourself. Such an attitude may get you through earth but it will ultimately cut you off from heaven.
The kingdom of God is not populated with a bunch of self-made, hard-hearted, self-righteous, critical, pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps religious people. It is populated by those who are humble enough to recognize their need, broken enough to seek healing, and trusting enough to open up their hearts to the gift of Jesus Christ. The doors of heaven open to those who are willing to receive Jesus.
10He [Jesus] was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God… (John 1:10-12).
Have you opened up your heart to Jesus Christ? Have you recognized your need for a Savior? Have you allowed yourself to be led by the Creator and Shepherd of your soul?
The arms of Jesus were spread open forever on the cross. Those who miss the kingdom of God are those who refuse to accept His embrace.
Lord, give me the heart of a child.
July 25, 2009
Posted by Bob Galvin
These verses have always made me sad. No necessarily because it deals with divorce – but rather it addresses the stubbornness of man. We are reminded of our heart’s condition. It isn’t good. Although we clearly see God’s intention for a couple was to stay together – hurtful things happen in a marriage – and there are times that I think it’s best to separate. For example I have a sister that was getting the stuffing knocked out of her ( which she hid pretty good for a time until it became apparent). Finally aware of her circumstance my older brother and I went to the house and brought her home w/ only a few of her personal possessions ( books, pictures). She never saw her ex-husband again. 25 years later – I would do the same thing all of over. No question.
But getting back to the verses – the Pharisees approach Jesus with a plan to test Him. See if they can catch Christ in some wrongful response to a question. That’s their plan and with it they demonstrate their own sick heart condition. If they can only get Christ to say something wrong, something radical, something that would put a ding His armor. The crowds are following Him…He’s performing great miracles, He’s teaching the people….and crowds are following. I can only imagine that these jealous religious leaders are devising things to confront Our Lord with….and they pick the sensitive topic of divorce…..which I am sure was a lot easier on the husband back in those days than on the wife.
I continually love to see Psalm 139 in action. Jesus, Our Creator, knows the thoughts of our heart and the words of our mouth before we even speak them. In Psalm 139 David asks God to search his heart to see if there “be any way in me” . Jesus searches hearts….and He understood what the Pharisee were trying to do….He understood their heart. He asks them a question to show them the basis of their authority & their heart condition. They reply….that “Moses permitted a certificate of divorce” (Deut 24:1). However Jesus demonstrates His Authority over the Old Testament time….and clearly describes God’s original intent for marriage. We see God’s perfect and ideal plan.
What do I take away from these verses…..that God’s plan for man is perfect ( not just in marriage – but in everything ). Our LORD has the perfect plan and sometimes our stubborn / hardened hearts gets in the way. But there is great news…..Jesus is a heart specialist able to soften the hardest heart….able to do transplants. He did one on me. I am a patient and still need to take my heart pills – which include reading His Word, praying to My Father, being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Sometimes I don’t take my heart medicine and my heart beats the wrong way…..sometimes I need to be reminded to take my medicine. Thank God for an endless supply….a Pharmacy that is never closed and is free.
July 23, 2009
33They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
36He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
38“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
39“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us. 41I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
These verses are certainly apropo during VBS week!
The disciples get in an argument on the road over who is the greatest disciple. That in itself must have been quite a discussion! Imagine a group of twelve guys spouting forth on their discipleship credentials.
“I’ve cast out seventeen demons.” “Yea, but Jesus told me that he would build the church on me.” “What is a church?” “I don’t know but it sounds important.” “Well, I found the fish that Jesus used to feed the 5000.” “I walked on water!” “Yea, but you almost drowned. At least I had enough sense to stay in the boat!”
Disciples of Jesus never do that, do they? We are such a humble, selfless lot.
“I have the gift of evangelism.” “I memorized the whole book of James.” “I have a theology degree.” “My kids serve the Lord.” “My marriage is better than most people’s.” “My church reaches lots of people for Christ.” “I have a quiet time every morning.” “I am not critical and judgmental like most Christians I know.”
Jesus reminds His disciples that “being first” in God’s kingdom has nothing to do with gifts, successes, accomplishments, accolades, or even great self-discipline. Greatness in God’s kingdom is measured in smallness. Am I willing to serve others out of love? Am I willing to wash feet?
Jesus uses ministry to a child as an example. Children really have nothing to offer in return for our labors. They can’t pay us or advance our career. Think of the “great Christian leaders” we exalt today. How many of them regularly serve in the nursery or in children’s church? These seem like unimportant ministries to us. Things that have to be done but not the really important part of a church. We measure real success by crowds…and influence…and media clout…don’t we?
I think of the times that I watch my four year old, Joshua. I have to lower myself to enter into his world. I can’t play chess with him or discuss John Piper’s latest book or watch the evening news and see what’s going on in the world. None of this stuff interests him. Instead I have to get on the ground and play Star Wars….which means setting up action figures and bouncing balls at them to see who wins. Then I have to watch Blue’s Clues or the Sing Along Lion King DVD and read Goodnight Moon or Brown Bear, Brown Bear. The time I am frustrated with watching Joshua is when I think I have more important things to accomplish. The time I enjoy being with him is when I am reminded that my own inflated self-importance often gets in the way of the opportunity I have to love my son.
The disciple John obviously didn’t get it. He promptly responds, “Jesus, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name and we stopped him.” Or in other words, “Jesus, I really like the little child illustration but get this…I served you today by stopping someone from serving you improperly!”
How often do Christians do this? They think they are serving Jesus by running a ministry of critiquing other ministries. Really uplifting stuff, huh?
Jesus reminds His disciples that their focus is to be on loving God and loving others. Let God do the evaluations. God rewards the motives of the heart…and if someone even gives a cup of cold water in His name, for His glory, then they will surely receive a reward from God.
The smallest acts and the smallest ministries done with the greatest commandment in mind will receive the greatest reward.
Lord, help me not to lose focus. Save me from my own pride and inflated self-importance. Teach me how to serve in the smallest of ways for Your glory and not my own.
July 22, 2009
Read and meditate on Mark 9:30-32 today…
30They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
Jesus’ ministry begins to change after Mark 8. He goes from a very public ministry to a more private one with His disciples. Jesus is beginning to prepare His disciples for His rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection. But the disciples simply do not get it…and they are afraid to ask.
I find it interesting that the disciples are afraid to ask Jesus about His upcoming death and resurrection. I wonder why.
Is it the fear of a person who is sick but doesn’t want to go to the doctor for a diagnosis? Sometimes we simply do not want to know the truth. We would rather live in ignorance, in illusion. “Ignorance is bliss”…and quite frankly the truth can hurt. The disciples simply don’t like Jesus talking about suffering and death. It is not a pleasant topic and it does not match their preconceived notions of the Messiah’s ministry. “Messiah is to rule…and we are going to rule with Him. Suffering and death? Let’s not ask Him about it and maybe He’ll stop talking about it.”
I think of that line from A Few Good Men…”I want the truth!”…”You can’t handle the truth!” There are certain topics that are simply hard to talk about….sin, cancer, senseless suffering, persecution, death. When the topic is brought up, sometimes we would rather not follow-up on it. Let’s change the subject. Maybe it will go away.
Or is the disciples fear simply fear of being wrong? Asking the wrong question? Offending Jesus and getting another rebuke (a la Peter in Mark 8:33)? Or just plain looking stupid in front of others? The disciples are not immune to their image. We are going to find that out tomorrow in Mark 9:33-36. How many times have we not spoken up simply because we were afraid of being rebuked, being rejected, or being misunderstood? As Murphy says, “Better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.”
The Bible doesn’t say why the disciples were afraid. Perhaps it was a mixture of emotions and thoughts among the twelve disciples. Peter still smarting over his last rebuke. John struggling to accept the idea of Jesus’ death. Simon the Zealot wishing Jesus would drop the suffering talk and get on the offensive again. Judas afraid his duplicity will be discovered.
The main point is that fear can make us act irrationally and prevent us from doing what we should do. It is the “spirit of fear” that hinders the work of God (2 Timothy 1:7) and keeps us from following God fully. Ever since the Garden of Eden, fear has been the undercurrent of our lives. Fear of man. Fear of rejection. Fear of failure. Fear of suffering. Fear of looking weak. Fear of looking stupid. Fear of losing everything. Fear of death. Fear of fear.
It is amazing to me that right after the disciples’ fear is acknowledged, they get into an argument over “who is the greatest?” We often compensate for weakness by trying to appear strong. We try to cover over our fear and insecurity by projecting confidence, building muscle mass, climbing social ladders, growing social status, acquiring knowledge, gaining positions, subjugating others, winning arguments, excelling in athletics, etc. But the fear is still there. We are vulnerable, weak, mortal, and not in control…and deep down we know it…even we are afraid to face it.
What am I afraid to ask Jesus? What am I afraid to know? What truth am I afraid to face? What experience am I afraid to go through?
Later the disciple John would write these words…”There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
Bottom line…the disciples were afraid to ask Jesus because they did not fully trust Him or know His love.
A growing relationship increasingly drives out fear. The more I know God’s love, the more I allow myself to be embraced by His grace, the more I trust His Word and His design for my life, then the less fear will dominate my thinking and my actions. I won’t be afraid because I will know His power and trust His heart.
Lord, grow my love. Let your perfect love cast out my fear today.