COME! FOLLOW!

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MUSINGS - December 30, 2018

COME! FOLLOW!

Matthew 4:18-22
As he was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew. They were throwing a net into the sea because they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come, follow me! I will teach you how to catch people instead of fish." They immediately left their nets and followed him. As Jesus went on, he saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee preparing their nets to go fishing. He called them, and they immediately left the boat and their father and followed Jesus.

Jesus said, "Follow me." and they did! They literally dropped everything that mattered to them, their family and their livelihood. And what was their enticement? "I will teach you how to catch people instead of fish." Did they have even an inkling of what that meant? I doubt it. But when God the Son commands, "Come!" they came.

Not everyone that was called came. Matthew 19:20-22
The young man replied, "I have obeyed all these commandments. What else do I need to do?" Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, sell what you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then follow me!" When the young man heard this, he went away sad because he owned a lot of property. What did Jesus ask of this man that he did not ask of the others? Nothing! Jesus always asks that he be our only true treasure. Luke 14:26-27
"If people come to me and are not ready to abandon their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as their own lives, they cannot be my disciples. So those who do not carry their crosses and follow me cannot be my disciples.

It is my strong belief that the gift of free will is the only thing that we have that truly belongs to us. And that is the one thing that God requires us to give the him. "Not my will but thine." We have to give Him permission to override our free will. This is what Jesus was looking for in those first disciples. And it is still what he is looking for in me and you.

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CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK AND ACT

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MUSINGS - December 29, 2018

CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK AND ACT

Matthew 4:12-17
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he went back to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. This was in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. So what the prophet Isaiah had said came true: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, on the way to the sea, across the Jordan River, Galilee, where foreigners live! The people who lived in darkness have seen a bright light. A light has risen for those who live in a land overshadowed by death."

From then on, Jesus began to tell people, "Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near!"

With his cousin, John, in prison, Jesus begins preaching the same message that John had begun. "Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near!" This message had not changed in the last 2000 years. The only change maybe it's that the kingdom of heaven is nearer now than then.

The kingdom is here now but it's incomplete. The followers of Jesus declare him as their King, the Messiah, the anointed one. It is the duty of each and every person in the kingdom to carry that same message everywhere and everywhen, "Turn to God and change the way you think and act."

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JESUS' TEMPTATION

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MUSINGS - December 28, 2018

JESUS' TEMPTATION

Matthew 4:1-11
Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Jesus did not eat anything for 40 days and 40 nights. At the end of that time, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread." Jesus answered, "Scripture says, 'A person cannot live on bread alone but on every word that God speaks.'" Then the devil took him into the holy city and had him stand on the highest part of the temple. He said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, jump! Scripture says, 'He will put his angels in charge of you. They will carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.'" Jesus said to him, "Again, Scripture says, 'Never tempt the Lord your God.'" Once more the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms in the world and their glory. The devil said to him, "I will give you all this if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Go away, Satan! Scripture says, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came to take care of him.

40 days and 40 nights appears so often in the Bible

God destroyed the earth with water it to rainef 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:12).Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 24:18).
Moses interceded on Israel’s behalf for 40 days and 40 nights (Deuteronomy 9:18, 25).
The Israelite spies took 40 days to spy out Canaan (Numbers 13:25). 
Goliath taunted Saul’s army for 40 days before David arrived to slay him (1 Samuel 17:16).
When Elijah fled from Jezebel, he traveled 40 days and 40 nights to Mt. Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).

Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 24:18).
Moses interceded on Israel’s behalf for 40 days and 40 nights (Deuteronomy 9:18, 25).
The Israelite spies took 40 days to spy out Canaan (Numbers 13:25). 
Goliath taunted Saul’s army for 40 days before David arrived to slay him (1 Samuel 17:16).
When Elijah fled from Jezebel, he traveled 40 days and 40 nights to Mt. Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).

All of these 40 days had to do with times of trial and temptation. Because it is a recurring time if testing, some have said that it is not to be taken literally but symbolic. I see no reason to believe that it is both symbolic of testing and a literal time if trial.

Whether you take it symbolicly or literally the truth is that Jesus was tested by every sin that we are. He was both fully God (who can not be tested be sin) and fully human it was necessary that he be vulnerable to sin and yet remained sinless.

Hebrews 2:18
Because Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered, he is able to help others when they are tempted.

Hebrews 4:15-16
We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn't sin. So we can go confidently to the throne of God's kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time.

Because Jesus understands sin from the human perspective, he is the perfect judge for our frailties and failures.

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FAITHFUL JOSEPH

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MUSINGS - December 23, 2018

FAITHFUL JOSEPH

Matthew 2:13-15
After they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel said to him, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and kill him." Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and left for Egypt that night. He stayed there until Herod died. What the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true: "I have called my son out of Egypt."

It is a good thing that God had given Jesus Joseph as a father. Had I been his father, I would have tried to negotiate with God. "Why do we need to go all the way to Egypt? There are plenty of countries a lot closer where we could hide. Plus I've got a business to run with steady clients. If we go that far away, I'll have to try to make s living in a land where I don't even speak the language."

However, Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and left for Egypt that night. He didn't argue or make suggestion to God. He woke from his dream, gathered his family, and left for Egypt.

We here s lot about Mary being chosen by God to birth Jesus. I seldom think of how Joseph was also chosen to raise the Son of God to manhood. What an awesome task and responsibility Joseph was given.

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TRULY WISE MEN

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MUSINGS - December 22, 2018

TRULY WISE MEN

Matthew 2:9-12
After they (the wise men from the east) had heard the king, they started out. The star they had seen rising led them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were overwhelmed with joy to see the star. When they entered the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary. So they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they left for their country by another road.

When the wise men visited King Herod of Judea and said that they were seeking the King of the Jews, Herod wasn't happy. He was man jealous of his power. So much so that Herod murdered his wife Mariamne, her two sons, her brother, her grandfather, and her mother because he suspected that they were plotting against him.

Then men from the east came seeking a new King. He told the wise men to find this new King and report back to him so that he might go and worship him.

They were not fooled and followed the warning from God not to return to Herod.

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GOD'S PLAN

MUSINGS - December 19, 2018

GOD'S PLAN

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Matthew 1:18-25
The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. His mother Mary had been promised to Joseph in marriage. But before they were married, Mary realized that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly. Joseph had this in mind when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him, "Joseph, descendant of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus He Saves, because he will save his people from their sins." All this happened so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true: "The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel," which means "God is with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him to do. He took Mary to be his wife. He did not have marital relations with her before she gave birth to a son. Joseph named the child Jesus.

About 700 years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah warned the Jewish people,
"Listen now, descendants of David," Isaiah said. "Isn't it enough that you try the patience of mortals? Must you also try the patience of my God?

Their constant rejection of God and refusal to follow His commandments was testing His patience. But God had a plan in place for the redemption of all people.

So the Lord himself will give you this sign: A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel God Is With Us. (Isaiah 7:13-14,)

We are at the end of Advent and the celebration of Christ's birth is near. We will hear the remarkable stories of angelic announcements to the shepherds, the birth in a stable, and the visit of the wise men. Matthew doesn't mention any of that.

Earlier he established Jesus long earthly ancestral lineage from Abraham through David to Jesus. Now he reveals his true heavenly lineage from God, She is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. And reminds his readers that God had revealed that to His people long ago.

God always has had a plan for our/your/my salvation. This is the true reason we celebrate Christmas.

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DIDN'T BELIEVE

MUSINGS - December 17, 2018

DIDN'T BELIEVE

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Mark 16:9-13
After Jesus came back to life early on Sunday, he appeared first to Mary from Magdala, from whom he had forced out seven demons. She went and told his friends, who were grieving and crying. They didn't believe her when they heard that he was alive and that she had seen him.

Later Jesus appeared to two disciples as they were walking to their home in the country. He did not look as he usually did. They went back and told the others, who did not believe them either.

There was a lot of disbelief going on that Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead. The women who went to embalm him encountered an angel who told them that Jesus was alive, but they didn't believe and fled in fear.

When Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene she ran to tell the good news to the disciples, they refused to believe her.

When Jesus appeared to two of his disciples they ran to tell the others but were not believed.

When I was first told of a risen savior, I didn't believe. Much later I had my eyes opened and believed.

Jesus has commanded his followers to spread the good news where ever we go. We can only tell. We can not force belief upon them. However, by telling others the good news, we've opened the way for Jesus to appear to them also.

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THIS MAN WAS THE SON OF GOD

MUSINGS - December 12, 2018

THIS MAN WAS THE SON OF GOD

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Mark 15:33-39
At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" When some of the people standing there heard him say that, they said, "Listen! He's calling Elijah." Someone ran and soaked a sponge in vinegar. Then he put it on a stick and offered Jesus a drink. The man said, "Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down." Then Jesus cried out in a loud voice and died. The curtain in the temple was split in two from top to bottom. When the officer who stood facing Jesus saw how he gave up his spirit, he said, "Certainly, this man was the Son of God!"

It had always amazed me that in this whole narrative of the crucifixion only one man saw Jesus for who he truly was/is. An officer in the army of Rome currently identified Jesus as the Son of God. It wasn't because of Christ's mighty works of power or his incredible revelation of the true meaning of the scriptures that convinced this soldier. It was Jesus death, how he gave up the spirit that demonstrated to this man the righteousness if Jesus. Mark doesn't record the words that Jesus spoke from the cross that other gosples do. They show Christ's strength and compassion. They show how even in death he asked God to forgive his tormenters and executioners.

It is for us to live lives that reflect the face of Christ's to those around us so that they might also believe.

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PICK UP YOUR CROSS

MUSINGS - December 11, 2018

PICK UP YOUR CROSS

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Mark 15:21
A man named Simon from the city of Cyrene was coming into Jerusalem from his home in the country. He was the father of Alexander and Rufus. As he was about to pass by, the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus' cross.

Who was this man, Simon, whose name and those of his sons is included in this narrative? The Bible sheds no further light than that which is given here. However since the names of the sons are given, it can be sent y assumed that they were known by the original readers.

I did a Google search and found this information.

Cyrene was located in northern Africa in eastern Libya. A Greek city in the province of Cyrenaica, it had a Jewish community where 100,000 Judean Jews had been forced to settle during the reign of Ptolemy Soter (323–285 BC) and was an early center of Christianity.

The Cyrenian Jews had a synagogue in Jerusalem, where many went for annual feasts. Some interpret the passage as indicating that Simon was chosen because he may have shown sympathy with Jesus. Others point out that the text itself says nothing, that he had no choice, and that there is no basis to consider the carrying of the cross an act of sympathetic generosity.

Mark 15:21 identifies Simon as "the father of Alexander and Rufus". Tradition states that they became missionaries; the inclusion of their names may suggest that they were of some standing in the Early Christian community at Rome. It has also been suggested that the Rufus (in Greek: Ῥοῦφον or Rhouphon) mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:13 is the son of Simon of Cyrene. Some also link Simon himself with the "men of Cyrene" who preached the Gospel to the Greeks in Acts 11:20.

Whoever he may have been, Simon certainly did not know when his day began that he would be called upon to carry a cross. Likewise, we never know when a figurative cross may be ours to carry. Troubles seldom come upon us with prior warning. We must always be prepared to pick up our cross and follow Jesus.

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LONG LIVE THE KING OF THE JEWS

MUSINGS - December 10, 2018

LONG LIVE THE KING OF THE JEWS

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Mark 15:15-20
Pilate wanted to satisfy the people, so he freed Barabbas for them. But he had Jesus whipped and handed over to be crucified. The soldiers led Jesus into the courtyard of the palace and called together the whole troop. They dressed him in purple, twisted some thorns into a crown, and placed it on his head. Then they began to greet him, "Long live the king of the Jews!" They kept hitting him on the head with a stick, spitting on him, and kneeling in front of him with false humility. After the soldiers finished making fun of Jesus, they took off the purple cape and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

At last Jesus is greeted as King of the Jews, which is the same as the term translated as Messiah. But it is not by the Jewish people. It is by the Roman soldiers. And it not in earnest but mockingly. Dressed in a robe fit for a king and given a crown of thorns they kneel before him in contempt.

Little did they know that He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, death on a cross. This is why God has given him an exceptional honor-- the name honored above all other names-- so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will kneel and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8-11)

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BRAVERY IN WEAKNESS

MUSINGS - December 08, 2018

BRAVERY IN WEAKNESS

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Mark 14:66-72
Peter was in the courtyard. One of the chief priest's female servants saw Peter warming himself. She looked at him and said, "You, too, were with Jesus from Nazareth!" But Peter denied it by saying, "I don't know him, and I don't understand what you're talking about." He went to the entrance. Then a rooster crowed. The servant saw him. Once again she said to those who were standing around, "This man is one of them!" Peter again denied it. After a little while the men standing there said to Peter again, "It's obvious you're one of them. You're a Galilean!" Then Peter began to curse and swear with an oath, "I don't know this man you're talking about!" Just then a rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered that Jesus said to him, "Before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don't know me." Then Peter began to cry very hard.

I've heard so many times about Peter denying Jesus that I totally missed an important fact: Peter was there at the temple. The others had abandoned Jesus and gone into hiding. But Peter was there. Even after the servant girl accused him the first time, he stayed near his Master. Again she saw him and called attention to him and he denied Jesus, but he still stayed near. A third time he is recognized as being a Galilean and a follower of Jesus. If he was recognized by his accent, that means that he had been talking, probably trying to get information on how the trial was going. Again, he was there.

Previously, when reading this section of scripture, I've always focussed on Peter's weakness, his betrayal. But now I see that he was the bravest of Jesus's followers even in his weakness. He was there. His remorse was so great that he cried and cried very hard.

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YES I AM

MUSINGS - December 07, 2018

YES I AM

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Mark 14:53-65
The men took Jesus to the chief priest. All the chief priests, leaders, and scribes had gathered together. Peter followed him at a distance and went into the chief priest's courtyard. He sat with the guards and warmed himself facing the glow of a fire. The chief priests and the whole Jewish council were searching for some testimony against Jesus in order to execute him. But they couldn't find any. Many gave false testimony against him, but their statements did not agree. Then some men stood up and gave false testimony against him. They said, "We heard him say, 'I'll tear down this temple made by humans, and in three days I'll build another temple, one not made by human hands.'" But their testimony did not agree even on this point. So the chief priest stood up in the center and asked Jesus, "Don't you have any answer to what these men testify against you?" But he was silent. The chief priest asked him again, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus answered, "Yes, I am, and you will see the Son of Man in the highest position in heaven. He will be coming with the clouds of heaven." The chief priest tore his clothes in horror and said, "Why do we need any more witnesses? You've heard him dishonor God! What's your verdict?" All of them condemned him with the death sentence. Some of them began to spit on him. They covered his face and hit him with their fists. They said to him, "Prophesy!" Even the guards took him and slapped him.

Illegally arrested and illegally tried. The "verdict" was decided long before this mockery of a trial began: The chief priests and the whole Jewish council were searching for some testimony against Jesus in order to execute him.

Many lies were told that night but one truth rang out: Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus answered, "Yes, I am. The truth was told but they couldn't handle the truth. Instead of the truth setting him free it convicted him.

Many today refuse to accept Jesus for who he claims to be. But millions of witnesses over the last two thousand years have testified that he is their Lord and savior, the one true Messiah.

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THE ARREST

MUSINGS - December 06, 2018

THE ARREST

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Mark 14:42-52
Get up! Let's go! The one who is betraying me is near." Just then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles, arrived. A crowd carrying swords and clubs was with him. They were from the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people. Now, the traitor had given them a signal. He said, "The one I kiss is the man you want. Arrest him, and guard him closely as you take him away." Then Judas quickly stepped up to Jesus and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. Some men took hold of Jesus and arrested him. One of those standing there pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of the chief priest's servant. Jesus asked them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as if I were a criminal? I used to teach in the temple courtyard every day. But you didn't arrest me then. But what the Scriptures say must come true." Then all the disciples abandoned him and ran away. A certain young man was following Jesus. He had nothing on but a linen sheet. They tried to arrest him, but he left the linen sheet behind and ran away naked.

An armed mob came to arrest the Lamb of God. He was a public figure, always in the Temple or the synagogues, never hiding but confronting those so called religious and civil leaders. And yet they set upon him at night when he was at prayer. How they must have feared him to come in great numbers and armed with weapons if war.

They may not have believed that he was the long awaited Messiah, but they had witnessed his miraculous power and feared it. I'm reminded of the old hymn lyrics, "He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set him free." He could have slain them with a word. But he didn't come to murder but to save ... even those who came against him. In his dying breath he prayed, "Father, forgive them. They know not what they do."

How great a love he had and has for all of us.

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THEY HAD ONE JOB TO DO

MUSING - December 03, 2018

THEY HAD ONE JOB TO DO

Mark 14:32-42
Then they came to a place called Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, "Stay here while I pray." He took Peter, James, and John with him and began to feel distressed and anguished. He said to them, "My anguish is so great that I feel as if I'm dying. Wait here, and stay awake." After walking a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible he might not have to suffer what was ahead of him. He said, "Abba! Father! You can do anything. Take this cup of suffering away from me. But let your will be done rather than mine." He went back and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn't you stay awake for one hour? Stay awake, and pray that you won't be tempted. You want to do what's right, but you're weak." He went away again and prayed the same prayer as before. He found them asleep because they couldn't keep their eyes open. They didn't even know what they should say to him. He came back a third time and said to them, "You might as well sleep now. It's all over. The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. Get up! Let's go! The one who is betraying me is near."

This person had one job to do, paint two parallel yellow lines in the middle of the road. For mile upon mile he had done just that. And then something happened. Maybe he dozed for just a moment or maybe he was distracted momentarily. For what ever the reason, he failed to do the one thing he was supposed to do.

Jesus gave Peter, James, and John one job to do, wait and stay awake. He had told them, "My anguish is so great that I feel as if I'm dying." Three times he prayed and they slept. One simple job, and they failed ... repeatedly!

Imagine for a moment that your best friend had just told you that they felt like they were dying and they asked you to wait and watch over them while they prayed. What would you do? Now put yourself in the other place. You are the one who feels like your dying. What would you expect of your friends?

I would expect to pray with my friend and have them pray with me. I certainly wouldn't expect them to fall asleep when I was at my darkest hour.

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YOU DON'T MEAN ME DO YOU?

MISSING - December 01, 2018

YOU DON'T MEAN ME, DO YOU?

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Mark 14:17-21
When evening came, Jesus arrived with the twelve apostles. While they were at the table eating, Jesus said, "I can guarantee this truth: One of you is going to betray me, one who is eating with me!" Feeling hurt, they asked him one by one, "You don't mean me, do you?" He said to them, "It's one of you twelve, someone dipping his hand into the bowl with me. The Son of Man is going to die as the Scriptures say he will. But how horrible it will be for that person who betrays the Son of Man! It would have been better for that person if he had never been born."

Jesus declared, "One of you is going to betray me.' It is nearly inconceivable that those who traveled with him, who heard him speak, and who witnessed all that he had done, would betray him. As we read in yesterday's devotion, Judas was making plans to do just that. If you are at all familiar with the Easter story, you know that Judas did indeed betray him by leading the authorities to him. As we get further along in this narrative we'll discover that all of them betrayed him, not as Judas did, but abandoned him when he could have used their support and their testimony at his trial.

But if I pull back my judgement of these men, and ask myself, "Would I have done better?" I have to answer honestly, I don't know. I pray that I'm strong enough to be able to stand and claim him as my Lord even when faced with the cruelest that men can devise. However, I also pray that I'm never put to that test.

Christ declared in Matthew 10:32-33, "I will acknowledge in front of my Father in heaven that person who acknowledges me in front of others. But I will tell my Father in heaven that I don't know the person who tells others that he doesn't know me."

I try to live my life so as to daily give him his honor and glory. I pray that his light shine through me. Do you?

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AN ANGUISH SO GREAT

MISSING - November 30, 2018

AN ANGUISH SO GREAT

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Mark 14:12-17
Killing the Passover lamb was customary on the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The disciples asked Jesus, "Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?" He sent two of his disciples and told them, "Go into the city. You will meet a man carrying a jug of water. Follow him. When he goes into a house, tell the owner that the teacher asks, 'Where is my room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?' He will take you upstairs and show you a large room. The room will be completely furnished. Get everything ready for us there." The disciples left. They went into the city and found everything as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the twelve apostles.

"You will meet a man carrying a jug of water." With these words Jesus sent two of his disciples into the city to find a place to prepare the Passover feast. A man carrying water would most likely be a servant bringing water to ritually clean the space in which the feast could be prepared. At this late day for preparation it would most likely be a room for rent to the many coming to Jerusalem for the holy days.

Several questions come to my mind here. First among them is, why go to a stranger's house for the feast of unleavened bread? He had friends and followers in Jerusalem (Mark 11:8-10*) why not feast with them? Perhaps it was because he knew that his enemies would be watching those places and didn't want to further endanger them. Maybe it was because he desired to spend this holy day with his closest friends.

We just recently celebrated Thanksgiving and most of us gathered with those closest to us. It is a very human thing to do. And Jesus was very human at this point in time. He knew that very shortly he would be beaten nearly too death an then would be publicly executed in a horrendous manner. In Matthew 26:38-39 we read as he confessed to his friends, "My anguish is so great that I feel as if I'm dying. Wait here, and stay awake with me." After walking a little farther, he quickly bowed with his face to the ground and prayed, "Father, if it's possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. But let your will be done rather than mine." Is it any wonder that he desired to eat this meal with them? He said in Luke 22:15, "I've had a deep desire to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." And he then instituted what we now call Holy Communion.

Remember the next time you partake of the grape and the grain how much this meal meant to him want was about to die for us.

*Mark 11:8-10
Many spread their coats on the road. Others cut leafy branches in the fields and spread them on the road. Those who went ahead and those who followed him were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is our ancestor David's kingdom that is coming! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

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THE LONG ANSWER - PART 6

MUSINGS - November 27, 2018

THE LONG ANSWER - PART 6

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Mark 13:3b-4
Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him (Jesus) privately, "Tell us, when will this happen? What will be the sign when all this will come to an end?"

Mark 13:24-27
"Now, after the misery of those days, the sun will turn dark, the moon will not give light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the universe will be shaken. "Then people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. He will send out his angels, and from every direction under the sky, they will gather those whom God has chosen.

Matter, antimatter, dark matter, quantum mechanics, string theory, unified theory, gravity, light, and all the physical properties that humans have worked so hard to understand will be shaken. Everything that we think we know about our world and universy will become null and void. The One True Power, God, while intervene as he hasn't since creation. people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power. This is when Jesus will call his own from everywhere and everywhen. This is not the beginning of the end. This is the end of the beginning.

Jesus said in Mark 13:23
Be on your guard! I have told you everything before it happens. Be prepared for that transformational moment when history ceases and everything is made new. By "be prepared" I don't mean have food and water stored in an underground bunker. I mean prepare your soul. Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn't ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly. (2 Timothy 2:15)

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THE LONG ANSWER - PART 5

MUSINGS - November 26, 2018

THE LONG ANSWER - PART 5

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Mark 13:3b-4
Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him (Jesus) privately, "Tell us, when will this happen? What will be the sign when all this will come to an end?"

Mark 13:21-23
"At that time don't believe anyone who tells you, 'Here is the Messiah!' or 'There he is!' False messiahs and false prophets will appear. They will work miraculous signs and do wonderful things to deceive, if possible, those whom God has chosen. Be on your guard! I have told you everything before it happens.

Jesus cautions his followers to Be on your guard! The false messiahs that I know of in my time on this Earth seem to me to be easier to spot than the false prophets. Jim Jones , David Koresh, Charles Manson, Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles, L. Ron Hubbard, and Sun Myung Moon. Are just a few that come to mind. I'm sure there are many more lesser known "messiahs" out there it seems a quick way to gain power and wealth. As a matter of fact the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard is wired as saying, “If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion.” Though these other cut leaders never said it publicly, I'm sure it was a big motivatingq factor.

As I said I think that modern day prophets are harder to spot. The bookshelves in any bookstore are filled with Prophets. And the only true way to judge a prophet it's after their predictions come true. And if there predictions are for the end time, well at the true end time the predictions no l longer matter.

Again I say, immerse yourself in the Bible and be on guard. Those who deceive the people of God will receive a terrible punishment ... but so will those who are lead astray.

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THE LONG ANSWER- PART 4

MUSINGS - November 25, 2018

THE LONG ANSWER - PART 4

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Mark 13:3b-4
Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him (Jesus) privately, "Tell us, when will this happen? What will be the sign when all this will come to an end?"

Mark 13:14-20
"When you see the disgusting thing that will cause destruction standing where it should not (let the reader take note), those of you in Judea should flee to the mountains. Those who are on the roof should not come down to get anything out of their houses. Those who are in the field should not turn back to get their coats. "How horrible it will be for the women who are pregnant or who are nursing babies in those days. Pray that it will not be in winter. It will be a time of misery that has not happened from the beginning of God's creation until now, and will certainly never happen again. If the Lord does not reduce that time, no one will be saved. But those days will be reduced because of those whom God has chosen.

These now are signs of the end times. When you see the disgusting thing that will cause destruction standing where it should not. I'm not a prophet nor a great theologian but I see that where stood the Temple in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, the current site Al-Aqsa Mosque, that to me could be fulfillment of this prophesy. The final Temple was destroyed by the Romans within forty some years s after Christmas predicted it. That effectively destroyed the Jewish nation until 14 May 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, declared "the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz-Israel, to be known as the State of Israel. By then the mosque, which was built between 1168 and 1174, had been on the site of the Temple for 774 years.

As I said many others have tried to understand this prophesy and interpreted it many different ways. However, whatever else is true we have Christ's word that those days will be reduced because of those whom God has chosen. We read in Ephesians 1:4-6
Before the creation of the world, he chose us through Christ to be holy and perfect in his presence. Because of his love he had already decided to adopt us through Jesus Christ. He freely chose to do this so that the kindness he had given us in his dear Son would be praised and given glory.

We know that the end will not come until the Gosple has reached everyone (Mark 13:10) so it is our duty, as those chosen by God, to shorten the time by sharing it with everyone.

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THE LONG ANSWER - PART 3

MUSINGS - November 23, 2018

THE LONG ANSWER - PART 3

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Mark 13:3b-4
Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him (Jesus) privately, "Tell us, when will this happen? What will be the sign when all this will come to an end?"

Mark 13:11-13
When they take you away to hand you over to the authorities, don't worry ahead of time about what you will say. Instead, say whatever is given to you to say when the time comes. Indeed, you are not the one who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit will. "Brother will hand over brother to death; a father will hand over his child. Children will rebel against their parents and kill them. Everyone will hate you because you are committed to me. But the person who endures to the end will be saved.

Some of what Jesus foresees sounds like the nightly news. And yet it isn't new news. These horrible things have gone on since Cane killed Able. Christ's followers have been persecuted since he called the twelve apostles to follow him. In some parts of our world people are literally dieing for processing their faith. In America the mistreatment of Christians is more subtle but our rights to express our Christian beliefs are slowly eroding. The good news is But the person who endures to the end will be saved.

The apostle Paul wrote to the
Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil's strategies. This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. For this reason, take up all the armor that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days. Once you have overcome all obstacles, you will be able to stand your ground. (Ephesians 6:11-13) as a matter of fact, read all of chapter 6 as a lesson in how to ensure until the end.

Immerse yourself in the word.

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THE LONG ANSWER - PART 2

MUSINGS - November 23, 2018

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THE LONG ANSWER - PART 2
Mark 13:4
"Tell us, when will this happen? What will be the sign when all this will come to an end?"

Mark 13:7-10
"When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don't be alarmed! These things must happen, but they don't mean that the end has come. Nation will fight against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes and famines in various places. These are only the beginning pains of the end. "Be on your guard! People will hand you over to the Jewish courts and whip you in their synagogues. You will stand in front of governors and kings to testify to them because of me. But first, the Good News must be spread to all nations.

Jesus said, wars, earthquakes, and famines are not signs of end times. They have been happening nearly from the beginning of time. Christ's followers have been and will continue to be persecuted. These again are not signs of the end times but part of the human condition since the fall from Grace in the garden of Eden.

The good news is that the Gosple will be spread to every nation before the end comes. By God's continuing grace everyone will have the opportunity to hear the Good News.
As of October 2017 the full Bible has been translated into 670 languages, the New Testament alone into 1,521 languages and Bible portions or stories into 1,121 other languages. And we still have not reached the entirety of humanity.

Are you doing your part in spreading the Good news to those to those around you?

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THE LONG ANSWER - PART 1

MUSINGS - November 22, 2018

THE LONG ANSWER - PART 1

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Mark 13:1-6
As Jesus was going out of the temple courtyard, one of his disciples said to him, "Teacher, look at these huge stones and these beautiful buildings!" Jesus said to him, "Do you see these large buildings? Not one of these stones will be left on top of another. Each one will be torn down." As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives facing the temple buildings, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, "Tell us, when will this happen? What will be the sign when all this will come to an end?" Jesus answered them, "Be careful not to let anyone deceive you. Many will come using my name. They will say, 'I am he,' and they will deceive many people.

Mark behind this narrative with Jesus prophesying the destruction of the temple. The disciples then asked, "When?" The answer is not a simple date And time. His answer goes on from Mark 13:5 to 13:37. Today we are going to address the destruction of the temple.

The Romans Destroy the Temple

at Jerusalem, 70 AD

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In the year 66 AD the Jews of Judea rebelled against their Roman masters. In response, the Emperor Nero dispatched an army under the generalship of Vespasian to restore order. By the year 68, resistance in the northern part of the province had been eradicated and the Romans turned their full attention to the subjugation of Jerusalem. stronghold. By the year 70, the attackers had breached Jerusalem's outer walls and began a systematic ransacking of the city. The assault culminated in the burning and destruction of the Temple approximately 35 years after Jesus predicted it. This is confirmation of his ability to foresee the future. His word is true.

Tune in tomorrow for part two of the Long Answer.

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FAITH OR FATALISM

MUSINGS - November 21, 2018

FAITH OR FATALISM

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Mark 12:41-44
As Jesus sat facing the temple offering box, he watched how much money people put into it. Many rich people put in large amounts. A poor widow dropped in two small coins, worth less than a cent. He called his disciples and said to them, "I can guarantee this truth: This poor widow has given more than all the others. All of them have given what they could spare. But she, in her poverty, has given everything she had to live on."

For years I have heard sermons on the great faith this woman had. Only I'm not sure that faith was what drove her motives.

Jesus observed this woman putting in the last of her money and his only comment was that she had given everything that she had to live on.

I find it interesting that he didn't say something like, " Her faith will be richly rewarded." Indeed his only comment was that she had given more than the others. He said nothing at all the praise her faith for doing this nor did he condemn her for her foolishness in giving everything she had to the temple.

So I'm left wondering why she did what she did. Was she giving up? Did she realize that these two coins weren't going to sustain her so she might as well give them away. Was it fatalism that drove her actions like the widow in 1Kings 17:12 who told Elijah, "I solemnly swear, as the LORD your God lives, I didn't bake any bread. I have one handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I'm gathering wood. I'm going to prepare something for myself and my son so that we can eat it and then die." She was resigned to die. That is not seem act of faith.

On the other hand perhaps the woman with the two coins really believed Malachi 3:10 which said,
"Bring one-tenth of your income into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way," says the LORD of Armies. "See if I won't open the windows of heaven for you and flood you with blessings. Perhaps all those sermons were correct and this woman's faith was greater than all the rest. And by the way, the woman who fed Elijah was rewarded,
The jar of flour never became empty, and the jug always contained olive oil, as the LORD had promised through Elijah. (1 Kings 17:16)

How is your faith?

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FINALLY!

MUSINGS - November 19, 2018

FINALLY!

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Mark 12:28-34
One of the scribes went to Jesus during the argument with the Sadducees. He saw how well Jesus answered them, so he asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of them all?" Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. So love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second most important commandment is this: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." The scribe said to Jesus, "Teacher, that was well said! You've told the truth that there is only one God and no other besides him! To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself is more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices." When Jesus heard how wisely the man answered, he told the man, "You're not too far from the kingdom of God." After that, no one dared to ask him another question.

Jus1areligious leaders are all arrogant, self-important, and foolish, this scribe comes to Jesus. He comes with no tricky questions. He does not offer empty flattery. He was on the sidelines when Jesus was confronted by the Sadducees.* He saw how wisely Jesus had seen through their intentions. Now he comes with sincere respect and asks his question, knowing that Jesus will give a truthful, well thought-out answer. And he is not disappointed. He asked, Which commandment is the most important of them all?"

Jesus instead, of picking one of the comments, summarized them all. Jesus was impressed by this scribe and told him, You're not too far from the kingdom of God."

I'm sorry that Mark's narrative ended there. I'd like to know if this scribe took the next step. Did he recognized Jesus as the Messiah? Did he become a follower? Or did he remain not to far, so close but not yet there?

What a wonderful place to be ... not far from the Kingdom. What a terrible place to be if he stopped there. I'm reminded of the the hymn Almost Persuaded. One verse is so terrifying to me:
Almost persuaded,” harvest is past!
“Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last;
“Almost” cannot avail;
“Almost” is but to fail!
Sad, sad that bitter wail—
“Almost—but lost!”

It was that hymn that led me to take that final step. I had been standing just outside the kingdom, looking in, but afraid to take that final step. I was afraid to let go of my self-will and accept God's will

If you find yourself not too far from the Kingdom, I encourage and urge you to move forward. Take that last step! Place your life in the hands of the one who created you** and loved you as no other can.***

*Mark 12:18-27

**Psalm 139:13-16

***John 3:16

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KITS, CATS, SACKS, WIVES

MUSINGS - November 18, 2018

KITS, CATS, SACKS, WIVES

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Mark 12:18-27
Some Sadducees, who say that people will never come back to life, came to Jesus. They asked him, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us, 'If a man dies and leaves a wife but no child, his brother should marry his widow and have children for his brother.' There were seven brothers. The first got married and died without having children. The second married her and died without having children. So did the third. None of the seven brothers had any children. Last of all, the woman died. When the dead come back to life, whose wife will she be? The seven brothers had married her." Jesus said to them, "Aren't you mistaken because you don't know the Scriptures or God's power? When the dead come back to life, they don't marry. Rather, they are like the angels in heaven. Haven't you read in the book of Moses that the dead come back to life? It's in the passage about the bush, where God said, 'I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.' He's not the God of the dead but of the living. You're badly mistaken!"

As I was going to St. Ives,
I met a man with seven wives, Each wife had seven sacks, Each sack had seven cats, Each cat had seven kits: Kits, cats, sacks, and wives, How many were there going to St. Ives?

This nursery rhyme riddle has been around for a very long time but people are still fooled by the misdirection of it. It sounds like it is a math problem with the number of kits, cats, sacks, and wives. However, the answer is in the first line, "As I was going to St. Ives." Only one person was going to St. Ives.

The Sadducees attempted to trick the Lord using a similar method. They tried to bury their true intent in a long drawn out example with seven brothers who each consecutively married the same woman. The true question was not about marriage it was about resurrection. But Jesus was not fooled and answered their true question by explaining what they had missed in Moses's teachings.

In yesterday's Musings we had the story of the Pharisees trying to entrap Jesus and how they failed. One of the points of doctrine that the Pharisees and Sadducees disagreed on was life after death. Pharisees believed in it and the Sadducees did not. So their test was designed not only to entrap Jesus but also to confirm their belief that death was final.

Once again be careful of those who wish to debate with you about your beliefs. Ask yourself why they are asking the question. Are they seeking the truth or are they just trying to justify their beliefs? Be wise. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidence.

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TRUTHFUL LIES

MUSINGS - November 17, 2018

TRUTHFUL LIES

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Mark 12:13-17
The leaders sent some of the Pharisees and some of Herod's followers to Jesus. They wanted to trap him into saying the wrong thing. When they came to him, they said, "Teacher, we know that you tell the truth. You don't favor individuals because of who they are. Rather, you teach the way of God truthfully. Is it right to pay taxes to the emperor or not? Should we pay taxes or not?" Jesus recognized their hypocrisy, so he asked them, "Why do you test me? Bring me a coin so that I can look at it." They brought a coin. He said to them, "Whose face and name is this?" They told him, "The emperor's." Jesus said to them, "Give the emperor what belongs to the emperor, and give God what belongs to God." They were surprised at his reply.

Here is a riddle for you, when is the truth not the truth? When it is not believed. These leaders came to Jesus faining belief when they said, "you teach the way of God truthfully." Though it was true, it was a lie in their hearts. Jesus heard their words but he also knew their hearts.

They wanted to trap him. But he saw their intent and turned it around on them. He told them a truth that they had not expected.

Beware those who flatter you, as they may have evil intentions. Jesus warmed his followers, "I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as cunning as snakes but as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16) So beware of wolves in sheep's clothing.

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YOUR CHOICE

MUSINGS - November 16, 2018

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YOUR CHOICE

Mark 12:1-12
Then, using this illustration, Jesus spoke to them (the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders*). He said, "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, made a vat for the winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to vineyard workers and went on a trip. "At the right time he sent a servant to the workers to collect from them a share of the grapes from the vineyard. The workers took the servant, beat him, and sent him back with nothing. So the man sent another servant to them. They hit the servant on the head and treated him shamefully. The man sent another, and they killed that servant. Then he sent many other servants. Some of these they beat, and others they killed. "He had one more person to send. That person was his son, whom he loved. Finally, he sent his son to them. He thought, 'They will respect my son.' "But those workers said to one another, 'This is the heir. Let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' So they took him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. "What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the workers and give the vineyard to others. Have you never read the Scripture passage: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The Lord has done this, and it is amazing for us to see'?" They wanted to arrest him but were afraid of the crowd. They knew that he had directed this illustration at them. So they left him alone and went away.

These were learned men who were familiar with the scriptures. When Jesus began his illustration with, "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it," the immediately knew that the planter was God and the vineyard was Israel.* They knew that the servants were the prophets of the LORD. And they knew that Jesus was claiming to be the son in this story. Which meant he was claiming to be the son of God. They also knew that Jesus was casting them in the role of the murderous renters (the priests could not own any land.***)

They were very angry with Jesus for casting them in the role of the villains. But they were enraged by his claim to be the rightful owner of the land, the Messiah, the anointed King of Israel. And it was, in their eyes, blasphemy for him to lay claim to be the son of God. And it would have been blasphemy if it were not true. And the crime of blasphemy carried the punishment of death.****

Jesus left them only two choices: believe he was who he claimed to be or kill him.

Each of us must also choose: believe it deny. Your choice.

*Mark 11:27

**Isaiah 5:1-7

***Deuteronomy 10:9

****Leviticus 24:13–16.

WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT

MUSINGS - November 15, 2018

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WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT

Mark 11:27-33
Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple courtyard, the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders came to him. They asked him, "What gives you the right to do these things? Who told you that you could do this?" Jesus said to them, "I'll ask you a question. Answer me, and then I'll tell you why I have the right to do these things. Did John's right to baptize come from heaven or from humans? Answer me!" They discussed this among themselves. They said, "If we say, 'from heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'from humans,' then what will happen?" They were afraid of the people. All the people thought of John as a true prophet. So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus told them, "Then I won't tell you why I have the right to do these things."

Finally, the chief priests had asked Jesus the right question. For years they have asked questions to entrap him. And it had never worked. Now they had, at last, asked the core question about Jesus. What gives you the right to heal, to teach new truths about God's kingdom, and to prophesy?

People were calling him Rabbi. But he had not gone through the years of training to become a Rabbi. He hadn't even gone online to www.themonastery.org to become legally ordained. Though he wasn't recognized by the religious authorities as a Rabbi, the people recognized his teaching as powerful and as one who had authority.

And if that wasn't bad enough, there people were starting to call him Messiah, the truly anointed King of Israel. And he had not been truly anointed by the ruling hierarchy.

In short, he was taking away their power over the people. So they asked the question that they should have asked from the beginning.

However, Jesus knew their hearts. He knew that they couldn't handle the truth. And they certainly would not accept the truth that he was God incarnate.

It still goes back to the question that Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Who do you say Jesus is?

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DEAD TREE AND MOVED MOUNTAINS

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MUSINGS - November 13, 2018

DEAD TREE AND MOVED MOUNTAINS

Mark 11:12-14
The next day, when they left Bethany, Jesus became hungry. In the distance he saw a fig tree with leaves. He went to see if he could find any figs on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves because it wasn't the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, "No one will ever eat fruit from you again!" His disciples heard this.

Mark 11:20-24
While Jesus and his disciples were walking early in the morning, they saw that the fig tree had dried up. Peter remembered what Jesus had said, so he said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has dried up." Jesus said to them, "Have faith in God! I can guarantee this truth: This is what will be done for someone who doesn't doubt but believes what he says will happen: He can say to lthis mountain, 'Be uprooted and thrown into the sea,' and it will be done for him. That's why I tell you to have faith that you have already received whatever you pray for, and it will be yours.

I believe in the power of prayer to perform miracles. I believe that the Holy Spirit can and does intercede on our behalf when we ask, believing without doubt. I also strongly believe that we need to put legs to our prayers.

As I drive through the Texas Hill country, I see places where mountains have been moved by belief. Huge amounts of rock have been cut away to make way for a road. Yes it is true that it was moved by muscle and machine and not done a mystical force, but those who made it happen believed without doubt that a highway could be placed there.

Read the story of Gideon* and see how good answered Gideon's prayer by putting him to work.

Powerful prayers are energized by belief and action.

*Judges 6:11-8:32

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HOSANNA

MUSINGS - November 12, 2018

HOSANNA

Mark 11:1-11
When they came near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples ahead of him. He said to them, "Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a young donkey tied there. No one has ever sat on it. Untie it, and bring it. If anyone asks you what you are doing, say that the Lord needs it. That person will send it here at once." The disciples found the young donkey in the street. It was tied to the door of a house. As they were untying it, some men standing there asked them, "Why are you untying that donkey?" The disciples answered them as Jesus had told them. So the men let them go. They brought the donkey to Jesus, put their coats on it, and he sat on it. Many spread their coats on the road. Others cut leafy branches in the fields and spread them on the road. Those who went ahead and those who followed him were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is our ancestor David's kingdom that is coming! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" Jesus came into Jerusalem and went into the temple courtyard, where he looked around at everything. Since it was already late, he went out with the twelve apostles to Bethany.

Jesus arrived in Jerusalem just before the beginning of Passover and the people saw him and began to shout, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is our ancestor David's kingdom that is coming!"

Our choir often sings hymns with the word hosanna in it. But what does this word actually mean? If you do a Google search you will find, "The word hosanna(Latin osanna, Greek ὡσαννά, hōsanná) is from Hebrew הושיעה־נא, הושיעה נא hôšîʿâ-nā and related to Aramaic אושענא (ʾōshaʿnā) meaning "save, rescue, savior". In the Hebrew Bible it is used only in verses such as "help" or "save, I pray" (Psalms 118:25)."

The people were welcoming Jesus because they thought he was coming to restore David's kingdom. They wanted Israel to dominate the Middle East as it had in David's time.

They were looking for the wrong kingdom and the wrong Savior. Jesus said, "My kingdom doesn't belong to this world." (John 18:36)
Indeed, the Son of Man has come to seek and to save people who are lost." (Luke 19:10) That doesn't sounds like the duty of an early King.

What do you expect of Jesus? In one of my favorite restaurants there hangs a sign that reads, "Before you complain about my work, make sure it's my job! If you are praying for Jesus to give you an A on your homework, or the promotion at work ... It's not his job. Make sure that your expectations are in line with the scriptures. And you can only know that by studying the Bible.

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DO US A FAVOR

MUSINGS - November 09, 2018

DO US A FAVOR

Mark 10:32-41
Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem. Jesus was walking ahead of them. His disciples were shocked that he was going to Jerusalem. The others who followed were afraid. Once again he took the twelve apostles aside. He began to tell them what was going to happen to him. "We're going to Jerusalem. There the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to foreigners. They will make fun of him, spit on him, whip him, and kill him. But after three days he will come back to life." James and John, sons of Zebedee, went to Jesus. They said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do us a favor." "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked them. They said to him, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." Jesus said, "You don't realize what you're asking. Can you drink the cup that I'm going to drink? Can you be baptized with the baptism that I'm going to receive?" "We can," they told him. Jesus told them, "You will drink the cup that I'm going to drink. You will be baptized with the baptism that I'm going to receive. But I don't have the authority to grant you a seat at my right or left. Those positions have already been prepared for certain people." When the other ten apostles heard about it, they were irritated with James and John.

Talk about bad timing! Jesus had just told his friends that he is going to be arrested condemned, humiliated, tortured, and killed. And James and John are so self centered that they say, "Do us a favor," Really? Had they not been listening? We're they do counted with the desire to be granted special positions above the other apostles that the didn't hear him? It were they that child hearted?

When the other ten apostles heard about it, they were irritated with James and John. Why were the others upset? Was it because of their callousness of asking for a favor when Jesus had just said he would die? It was it because they had asked for a special positions of power over them?

We call them Saint James and Saint John. They and the other apostles are regarded as saintly. Yet they are so human, so much like us. Their faults and flaws are recorded in the Bible along with the good they accomplished.

Jesus calls us his brothers and sisters* but how often do we just "visit" with him? All too often we go to him with our list and say, "Do us a favor."

*Matthew 12:50

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LAW VERSES REDEMPTION

MUSINGS - November 04, 2018

LAW VERSES REDEMPTION

Mark 10:1-12
Jesus left there and went into the territory of Judea along the other side of the Jordan River. Crowds gathered around him again, and he taught them as he usually did. Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, "Can a husband divorce his wife?" Jesus answered them, "What command did Moses give you?" They said, "Moses allowed a man to give his wife a written notice to divorce her." Jesus said to them, "He wrote this command for you because you're heartless. But God made them male and female in the beginning, at creation. That's why a man will leave his father and mother and will remain united with his wife, and the two will be one. So they are no longer two but one. Therefore, don't let anyone separate what God has joined together." When they were in a house, the disciples asked him about this. He answered them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman is committing adultery. If a wife divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery."

Jesus continued in his travels teaching and healing. He had returned to this area of Judea where he had previously attracted crowds of listeners. Once again the crowds have come to him. And once again the religious authorities have come to argue with him. They come with a question do designed to be a share to trap him.

They could have posed a question about any of the finer points of the law of Moses, because they came not looking for an answer but for a way to dispute him. Which ever way he answers they hope to trap him by his words. They asked, "Can a husband divorce his wife?" Jesus, however, doesn't answer their questions until they have answered his. They answer tells him how they interpret the law. Rather than argue with them, he agreed that the law does indeed allow for divorce under certain circumstances. But he expands on that by saying that God's perfect will is that marriage be until by death they are seriated. The law was given because of the hardness of humanities heart. Without the law of divorce, the only way to be rid of an unfaithful spouse would be to have them stoned to death. "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife or with his neighbor's wife, both he and the woman must be put to death for their adultery (Leviticus 20:10)

Jesus did not refute the law but said only that it was because of man's sinful nature that the law was given at all. The apostle Paul writes to the church in Galatia, "No one receives God's approval by obeying the law's standards since, "The person who has God's approval will live by faith." Laws have nothing to do with faith, but, "Whoever obeys laws will live because of the laws he obeys." Christ paid the price to free us from the curse that God's laws bring by becoming cursed instead of us. Scripture says, "Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed." Christ paid the price so that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to all the people of the world through Jesus Christ and we would receive the promised Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:11-14)

The law can only exposed our sins and condemn us. Jesus took that condemnation upon himself and saves us from all our sin through faith

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GOD FIRST, SELF LAST

MUSINGS - November 03, 2018

GOD FIRST, SELF LAST

Mark 9:42-50
"These little ones believe in me. It would be best for the person who causes one of them to lose faith to be thrown into the sea with a large stone hung around his neck. "So if your hand causes you to lose your faith, cut it off! It is better for you to enter life disabled than to have two hands and go to hell, to the fire that cannot be put out. If your foot causes you to lose your faith, cut it off! It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. If your eye causes you to lose your faith, tear it out! It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell. In hell worms that eat the body never die, and the fire is never put out. Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good. But if salt loses its taste, how will you restore its flavor? Have salt within you, and live in peace with one another."

Jesus gives many parables about the kingdom of God. This is a rare passage where he speaks about hell. He tells his listeners that it would be better to live life maimed than to go to hell where worms that eat the body never die, and the fire is never put out.

I've said it before and I'll repeat myself here. I don't believe that Jesus is being literal here. I believe that he is giving figurative examples of giving up the things that cause us to sin. I believe this because our eyes, hands, and feet do not cause us to sin. Sin is, at its most basic a choice to choose our own desires over the will of God.

No matter how much we desire the object of our sin we must remove it from our life. Anything that we love more than God must be abandoned. In Luke 14:26 Jesus said, "If people come to me and are not ready to abandon their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as their own lives, they cannot be my disciples."

I was a boy scout and was taught the Boy Scout Way: God, country, other people, and self. On our list of priorities God must be first and we must be last.

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SMALL ACTS, BIG REWARDS

MUSINGS - November 02, 2018

SMALL ACTS, BIG REWARDS

Mark 9:41
I can guarantee this truth: Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."

Until today I've always thought that this teaching was oddly placed in Mark's narrative. It is sandwiched between the disciples trying to stop someone else from casting out demons in Jesus's name and teachings about escaping hell. However, as I consider it today, I see that it is related to the former teaching where Jesus tells the disciples, "Whoever isn't against us is for us." Both the grander (in human thinking) act of casting out demons, and the giving of a drink of water, will earn rewards, if done in Jesus's name.

I remember a man I knew many years ago. He had several brothers who were missionaries to foreign lands. He owned and operated a small printing company. His brothers had the grander (in human thinking) acts of discipleship. However, I heard him once say, "I also serve by keeping their stuff." While his brothers were away, he would store their household belongings until they returned. They all earned their reward.

Those who do these "small" acts of kindness will indeed hear the Master say, "Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world." (Matthew 25:34)

Matthew 25:31-46 really expands on this idea of relatively small acts of kindness earning great rewards.

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NOT COOKIECUTTER CHRISTIANS

MUSINGS - November 01, 2018

NOT COOKIECUTTER CHRISTIANS

Mark 9:38-40
John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone forcing demons out of a person by using the power and authority of your name. We tried to stop him because he was not one of us." Jesus said, "Don't stop him! No one who works a miracle in my name can turn around and speak evil of me. Whoever isn't against us is for us.

"He was not one of us." Us or them? Them or us? Someone not of the twelve apostles was using the power of Jesus name.

John was, in affect, saying, "The 12 of us have the Jesus brand exclusively copyrighted and trademarked. How dare someone cast out demons in the name of Jesus? He didn't pay the franchise fee."

My salvation didn't give me exclusive rights and privileges. My salvation journey was different than yours. I know this because God didn't make Cookiecutter Christians. God came to us as individuals and through his grace granted us pardon for our sins. Then he laid out individual paths and individual jobs for us.*

God's grace is inclusive not exclusive. Jesus died for all of humanity. There is no Them. We are all Us. My path and my gifts may differ from yours but we serve the same God. Remember, "Whoever isn't against us is for us."

*Read 1 Corinthians chapter 12

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WAIT! WHAT?

MUSINGS - October 30, 2018

WAIT! WHAT?

Mark 9:30-32
They left that place and were passing through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where he was because he was teaching his disciples. He taught them, "The Son of Man will be betrayed and handed over to people. They will kill him, but on the third day he will come back to life." The disciples didn't understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him.

This is the second time that Jesus had explicitly told them that he must suffer and die and then come to life again.  The first time he said this Peter argued with him. He told Peter that he was thinking in human terms not as God thinks.*

This time they didn't ask questions because they are afraid. They are afraid to admit that they don't understand what he meant. Perhaps they kept quiet because they didn't want to thought foolish.

After all, Jesus often spoke in parables and analogies. Perhaps they thought he didn't mean that he would literally die, perhaps it was was a figure of speech.  Maybe they didn't want to accept what he said because of the consequences it would mean for their own lives.

Through the centuries since many have failed to understand or accept Jesus's words at face value. I, though, will ever proclaim Jesus crucified in my place. Jesus rose from the dead that I might live again. He will come again to gather his own to him. I believe Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

*Mark 8:31–32

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