Mark 15 “Playing To The Crowd”

Here in chapter 15 Jesus is brought before Pilate (by the chief priests) early in the morning. One of the accusations against Him by the elders was, His claim of being a king. So Pilate asked Him directly, “Are You the King of the Jews?” His answer to Pilate was, “It is as you say.”

Admitting this before the very man that could have saved Him, brought a respect for Jesus. Pilate marveled, the Bible tells us, at Jesus for His honesty and for His silence before His earlier accusers who had mocked Him, beat Him and spoke blasphemously against Him (Luke 22:63-65).

Pilate, the Bible tells us, believed Jesus to be an innocent man, who upon examination of Jesus said, “I find no fault in Him worthy of death. He has done no evil (Luke 23:14-15). Then turning to the crowd three times Pilate asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?” (Matthew 27:22) Upon hearing the crowd Pilate, wanting to gratify them more than doing the right thing, delivered Jesus to His accusers to be crucified as they requested. 

How many times have you given into peer pressure, allowing the crowd to dictate your actions, even though you knew in your heart, “this is wrong.” Actions have consequences. Even though Pilate believed Jesus to be innocent and literally washed his hands of the blood, still delivered Him to death. Therefore, Pilate is just as guilty of murder as were the chief priests who planned it and the Romans who carried it out. 

Our lesson here is to stand for the truth, not with the crowd. Do what is right, not what may earn you favor in the eyes of others - to satisfy God, and not man.

The Truth: “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:16)

Mark 14 "Our Savior's Prayer"

“Abba, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from Me. Yet not My will but Your will be done.” (v.36)

This pray offered by Jesus to His Father the night before He was to be crucified, shows His concern for what He was about to suffer for us. Luke's gospel tells He was in such agony that His sweat became "great drops of blood" (Luke 22:44). Nevertheless He was obedient to His Father's will.

Three things to take away from this portion of scripture. First, the Lord does not always answer our prayers in the way we request of Him. Even His Son had to walk the path directed for Him. Second, He will not give us more than we can handle and will strengthen us and carry us through all our trials. Finally, all things are working together for (a greater) good for those who love the Lord and follow His will, even when we don’t understand why.

May God also grant us the strength (even when we do not understand understand His will in our prayer life) to walk the path He has for us in obedience. For, "His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor His ways our ways" (Isaiah 55:8), yet "all things are working together for our good" (Romans 8:28).

The Truth: “Greater love has no man than this, that He would lay down His life for His friends.” (John 15:13) 

Mark 13 “The Great Tribulation”

“For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.” (v.19-20)

Here we see Jesus describing to His disciples a time of great tribulation which is to come, the likes of which the world has never known in its history. A time worse than the flood of Noah’s day, worse than the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, or any other event yet future. Never has the world seen, nor will it see anything equal to what is going to transpire during this three and a half year period.

Therefore, He warns them (and us) that, “when you shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (Daniel 9:1-27), then let all that be in Judea flee to the mountains (vv.12-14). During that time, those Jews (in Judea) that heed this warning of Jesus and flee to the wilderness area that God has prepared for them, He will provide and take care of them for that three and a half year period. And, “unless the LORD had shortened those days, no flesh (on earth) would be saved” (v.20).

Take heed, watch and pray, especially for those in our lives who need the gospel, for we do not know when this will take place.

The Truth: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10)

Mark 12 “The Wicked Vinedresser”

 Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others." (v.9)

Here in chapter 12 we find our Lord speaking to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders with a parable. The parable concerns an absentee landlord (a common figure in those days) who had leased his vineyard to a tenant farmer, a vinedresser. At harvest time the landlord sent his servants (multiple times) to collect some of the fruit, and each time they were met with violence, either beaten, stoned, or killed. Finally, the landowner sent his only beloved son to collect some of the harvest. Surely they would honor him. But the son was killed just like those before Him.

In this parable the religious leaders are the vinedressers, Israel is the vineyard and God is the absentee landlord. So we have God sending prophet after prophet to check on the progress of His tenant farmer, only to see each one of them beaten or killed. Finally, out of incomparable love, God sends His only Son to check on the harvest, but they rejected Him as well, nailing Him to a cross.

So, what will the landowner of the vineyard do? He will destroy the vinedressers (the religious leaders) and give the vineyard (the fruit of His promise) to others. The late Pastor Chuck Smith put it this way:

“The nation of Israel had failed to fulfill the purposes for which God had established them as a special people unto the Lord. They failed to bring forth that fruit that God was desiring the nation to produce. So, what will the Lord do? He will take away the privileges, the opportunities, and he will give them to others. And so, we see the door opened to the Gentiles, and Jesus here is prophesying and predicting that God is going to do His work, not among the Jews in this age, but more among the Gentiles. And thus, we see the work of God’s Spirit in a powerful way among those Gentile believers in Jesus Christ.”

But, make no mistake, judgment will fall upon those who did not reverence His Son.

The Truth: “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me.” (John 16:8-9)

Mark 11 “Have Faith In God”

 Jesus said unto them, "Have Faith In God.” (v.22)

Here in chapter 11 Jesus was teaching his disciples to have faith in God to accomplish those things which seem beyond man's capabilities. This short statement literally means, have the faith of God - full, perfect, effectual faith. No doubts, no fears, just an unwavering confidence in the agent doing the work – God.

Jesus said, "Come unto to Me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). By allowing Him to shoulder our burdens, it not only lightens our load, but gives us peace and rest in our souls knowing He is faithful.

Therefore, the next time you find yourself struggling behind the plow of life, exercise your faith in God by displaying your unwavering confidence in Him, to accomplish those things which are beyond your control.

The Truth: "Our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20)

Matthew 2 “The Guiding Light”

The Christmas song, “We Three Kings” speaks to us of the “guiding light” which lead the Magi West from Persia to Jerusalem and eventually to Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus. In the gospel of Matthew (2:2) this light is referred to as, "His Star."

Not much is known about the exact identity of the Magi but they were most likely Gentiles of high position from a country northeast of Babylon, who were given a special revelation by God concerning the birth of, the King of the Jews. Some Bible scholars believe the revelation came through knowledge of Balaam’s prophecy concerning the “star” that would “come out of Jacob” (Num. 24:17). Others simply believe it came to them in the sky, as we are told in Matthew’s Gospel, “they had seen His star in the East.” (Matthew 2:2) Whatever the source, the Magi came to Jerusalem to worship the new-born King of the Jews and to pay Him tribute of Gold, Incense and Myrrh.

On their journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem “the star” they had seen in the East, reappeared and led them to the specific house in Bethlehem where they found the Child Jesus. (Matthew 2:9-11) This was truly a miracle, as Bethlehem is about 5 miles south of Jerusalem and “Stars” naturally travel from east to west across the heavens, not from north to south.

The response of the wise men upon finding Jesus was entirely appropriate, and their actions serve as a model of true discipleship. First they sought the Christ child (Matt. 2:2), and when they had found their way to Him, they rejoiced (Matt.2:10). Then, seeing the child they worshiped Him (Matt. 2:11), and offered him gifts that befit a king (Matt.2:11; cf. Pss 45:7-9; 72:15).

The response of Herod on the other hand was completely different. First, he did not seek to honor the baby Jesus, in fact He was not even aware of His birth under His very nose until the Magi inquired. Second, once he learned of it from the Magi, he tried to deceive them into returning too give him the exact location of Christ child in order that he might supposedly worship Him. But in his heart he had other plans. Two different people groups with two different reactions. The wise men (from the east, gentiles) worshiped Jesus. While Herod (part Jewish, ruler of the nation), sought to kill him.

This early division and the different reactions over the announcement of the birth of Christ, would mark His ministry His entire life. There would be no middle ground. Some would seek Him for life, while others would seek Him to take His life.

The same is true today for many people. Some are like Herod and reject Jesus, while others are like the Magi and see Him for who He is; the Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Savior of mankind, the "Light of the World." God's gift to all - if we will only receive it.

The Truth
“A Star shall rise out of Jacob. A Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:17)
“I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” (Rev.22:16)
Merry Christmas.

Mark 10 “Our Selfless Savior”

 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (v.44-45)

Jesus was constantly sacrificing His needs to fulfill those of others, eventually giving His very life as a ransom for all of mankind. And now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven. What a great example He left for us here, of putting others first.

I do not believe one can be Christ like and put his/her needs before others. Growing up, I remember my mother would work all day, then come home and start the family dinner, then clean and wash dishes, and even throw in a load of laundry before sitting down. I watched my dad work all day, then come home and do chores around the house, and still have time to throw the football around with me as a kid growing up. They both made many sacrifices for the family, and with three boys, that was not easy.

I thank God for those Christ like examples of putting others first in my life. And while there were many times I was blind to it all because of my selfishness, it’s so clear to me now how important it is to serve others. Thank you mom and dad for all those years of self-sacrifice.

The Truth: “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, You know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

Mark 9 “All Things Are Possible”

 “If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.” (v.23)

Here in chapter 9 we see a boy possessed by a mute spirit. And whenever the spirit seized him, it would throw him down; he would then foam at the mouth, gnash his teeth, and then become rigid (vv.17-18). The father first took the boy to Jesus’s disciples, but they could not help (v.18). Then he brought the boy to Jesus and asked for His help (v.22). Jesus then responded to him with our text, “all things are possible to him who believes” (v.23).

The answer the father gives to Jesus is both touching and beautifully honest, “I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” (v.24) It was as though he said," I do believe; but my faith is weak.” I think that is the case with many people today. They believe, but their faith is weak, it breaks down, gets placed in a closet until some misfortune befalls them. Then it’s, “LORD, help me.”

I believe Jesus is saying the same thing to us today as He did to this father in our text over 2000 years ago. And, just like then, He is willing and able to help all who believe at this very moment. Therefore, come to the Father, through the precious blood of His Son, Jesus. Lay your burdens down at His feet, and allow His healing to take place in your life today. (see prayer connect with God to the right on this page)

The Truth: “Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28)

Mark 8 "Do Not Be Ashamed"

"Whoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (v.38)

Jesus said, “But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:33) - Very dangerous company to be in. Why you may ask, because Hades is a real place, a place of eternal separation from God, of darkness, and torment, both day and night. A place reserved for those who do not believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God.

What would you give in exchange for your soul? All Jesus is asking for is your belief in Him, that you not be ashamed to acknowledge Him. But man is to worried with what he would need to give up, in order to do that. He would rather remain in his current rebellious and sinful state, than to stand with Christ unashamed.

So what can man expect if he remains ashamed to identify with Christ? A place reserved in Hades (a place of torments) to await judgment until after the final resurrection. (Luke 16:22-23) Better to identify with Him now, than to be excluded by Him later.   

The Truth: “The LORD knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment (Hades) for the “day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:9).

Mark 7 "Dispute About Ritual Washings"

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” (v.5)

Here in chapter 7 Jesus is asked by the Pharisees and the scribes, “Why do Your disciples eat with unwashed hands?” This was asked to find fault with them (His disciples), for the Pharisees and the Jews did not eat unless they washed their hands in a special way (tradition). This prescribed washing was not for hygienic purposes (as we think of washing) but ceremonial, to meet mans standards of pious cleanliness. 

This was just one example of the Pharisees and scribes teaching as doctrine their own commandments and ignoring the commandments of God. Thus their traditions, added a yoke of bondage on the people never intended by God.

Jesus then answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' He spoke strongly because these leaders were far too concerned with trivial matters like ritual washing. When they focused on these trivial traditions, they excluded everyone who didn’t keep the traditions, and so they discouraged them from coming to God. Therefore, God said of them their heart is far from Me. 

Many people today give that same appearance of being religious or spiritual just like the scribes and the Pharisees in our text. And just like them are actually far from God. They are playing the hypocrite, because the image they promote is more important to them than what they actually are. 

Then Jesus said to those standing near by, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” (vv.14-16) Meaning, we are defiled from the inside out rather than from the outside in, and this is particularly true of ceremonial things like foods. God is far more concerned with what comes out of us than what goes into us. This is especially true when it comes to foods, traditions and rituals. 

Although it may not seem so now, this passage, when it was first spoken, was the most revolutionary passage in the New Testament liberating many from the rituals and trivial traditions of man.   

The Truth: “Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5-6) 

Mark 6 “Herod Haunted By His Decision”

 “And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. And immediately the King sent the executioner and commanded his (John the Baptist) head be brought.” (v.26-27)

Historians tell us that King Herod was haunted all the days of his life by the public oath he had sworn in that moment of pleasure, and by what he had done to John the Baptist. Decisions made on emotions, under peer pressure, or when we are not thinking clearly, can often haunt us for the rest of our days. While it is true, there is no sin common to man that cannot be forgiven, if confessed it to our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. We cannot escape the consequences of our actions.

Therefore, may our decisions be grounded in prayer, seeking God’s will, and based on how His Spirit is leading us; not on our emotions, or under peer pressure, nor when we are not thinking clearly. For those decisions can bring “great sorrow” for all of our days.

The Truth: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15) 

Mark 5 “His Authority Over The Supernatural World”

 Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” (v.8)

After showing His authority over the natural world in chapter 4 by calming the wind and the waves on the Sea of Galilee (v.39), Jesus here in chapter 5 shows His authority over the supernatural world, by casting out demons from a man living among the tombs of the Gadarenes (vv.2-13); He also displays His power and authority over death, by raising a young child to life who had passed (vv.39-43).

Who is this man? The demons in this chapter said it best, “Son of the Most High God” (v.7). They knew who He was, they knew of His power and authority, and they feared Him. Luke’s gospel tells that they begged Him not to be sent to the abyss (bottomless pit - Luke 8:31). Here in Mark 5 they implored Jesus not to torment them (v.5), nor send them away out of the country (v.10), but that He allow them to enter a large heard of nearby swine (v.12).   

I find it interesting that demons knew more about Christ, His authority and power, than those who claimed to know the scriptures. They (the demons) knew enough about Him to try and avoid His immediate righteous judgment, by pleading for embodied life within a heard the pigs. But even the unclean pigs wanted nothing to do with these demon spirits. For once they entered, "the pigs they ran violently down a steep place, into the sea, and drown” (v.13).

We serve a great and mighty God. The One who has authority over all things. Who speaks to the wind and the waves, and calms them. The One who holds all things together, or breaks them down, by the power of His voice.

The Truth: “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”  (Colossians 1:16-20)

Mark 4 "Parables of The Soil"

"Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” (v.8)

Jesus often taught the lessons of scripture through parables. The word parable comes from the idea of, “to set along side.” Jesus then used parables to set a spiritual truth along side a daily living truth. In this parable of the soils, Jesus described something the people of an agricultural society were all familiar with – a farmer casting seed on the ground and the seed falling on different types of soil (vv.1-9).

Through this daily living truth, Jesus is teaching the spiritual truth of how different types of people (soils) respond to the Word of God. It tells us that the success or failure of a crop isn't necessarily in the skill of the farmer or in the power of the seed, but in the quality of the soil. Some listeners are like rich soil, and the message takes root in their heart. Others resemble hard ground, and the seed simply bounces off them. Still others are like a weed patch that chokes out potential growth.

Therefore, the heart of the unbeliever (like the stoney ground) needs to be softened, watered, and cultivated, to become “good soil” so the seed of eternal life might take root, and bear fruit in. Some hearts take longer to prepare than others, and one may not always see the fruit of his labor, as spiritual truths need time to grow in the human heart - some longer than others. Thus the saying, “One sows and another reaps.” 

The Truth: “I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)

Mark 3 "Jesus Prays Before Choosing His Apostles"

“And He went up to the mountain and He called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.” (v.13)

Jesus often retired to a place of solitude for prayer and communion with His Father. Here in our text we see Him going up to a mountain to pray and consider whom He would call to become His Apostles from among His many disciples. Luke’s gospel tells us that when He retired to the mountain for solemn prayer, He continued all night in that duty before He made His choice (Luke 6:12). 

These twelve were to be His Apostles, to preach in His name, to work miracles, to cast out demons, heal the sick, and to withstand persecution, even unto death. Therefore, this decision was not one to be taken lightly nor done without seeking His Father’s guidance. This shows us that much consideration and prayer should go into the selection of persons for ministry, and that nothing in so important a work should be done in haste.

This then becomes a blueprint for us in every important decision we need to make in our lives. Go to our mountain, call upon God, and continue to pray until our spirit is sure of His leading.  

The Truth: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5) 

Mark 2 "The Power of Jesus"

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (vv.5-7)

Here in chapter 2 we find Jesus in a great deal of controversy with the religious leaders of His day, the scribes and the Pharisees. The first encounter took place at a house in Capernaum, where 4 men brought a paralytic to Jesus to be healed. They had to lowered him through the roof on his bed, because they could not get near to Jesus because of the crowd (vv.1-4). When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you” (v.5). This immediately brought out a reaction from both those who brought him and the scribes in attendance. 

Can you imagine how the friends on the roof felt? They went to a lot of trouble to see their friend healed of his paralysis, and now the teacher only wants to forgive his sins. We might imagine them shouting, “No, he’s paralyzed! We wanted him to walk, not to be forgiven!” Jesus did not mean that the paralyzed man was especially sinful or that his paralysis was directly caused by sin. Instead, He addressed the man’s greatest need and the common root of all pain and suffering – man’s sinful condition. 

The scribes on the other hand reacted in a different manner, they questioned Jesus's authority saying, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Yes, they used the right kind of logic. They correctly believed that only God could forgive sins, and they are even correct for examining this new teacher. Their error was in refusing to see who Jesus really was, though He was fulfilling the scriptures (Isaiah 35) right before their eyes, they did not see Him - The Son of God, who has the authority to forgive sins.

Jesus, perceiving in His spirit that they were all questioning in their hearts said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”; He said to the paralytic, I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” (vv.8-12).

For men, both real forgiveness and the power to heal are impossible, but for God, both are easy. It is a logical assumption that if Jesus has the power to immediately heal this man’s disease, He also has the authority to forgive his sins. Imagine if Jesus had failed. His ministry would be shattered. The crowd would slowly leave the house. The scribes would smile and say, “He can’t heal or forgive.” The four men would struggle to pull up the paralyzed man who looked more dejected and embarrassed than ever. The homeowner would look at his roof and think it was all for nothing.

But Jesus did not nor could not fail, because all He needed to heal this man was His word. There is wonderful healing power in the word of Jesus, in the promises of Jesus, for those who come to Him in faith. This man came to Jesus in faith, even if it was the borrowed faith of his friends. 

And, He can do the very same for you if you would simply ask. 

The Truth: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed." ~ Isaiah 53:5.

Mark 1 "Jesus Baptized"

 “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Immediately the Spirit sent Him out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.” (vv.9-13)

Mark's gospel begins with a brief description of the ministry of John the Baptize. Mark indicates that John's ministry of preaching and baptism fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah (40:3). That he was sent to set the stage for the coming Messiah and announce His purpose. John's message promised that the one who came after him would indeed baptize with the Holy Spirit.

What I find significant in our text is, that the first action Jesus took after He was baptized (and once He began His public ministry), was to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit (v.12). Even though it meant He would be without shelter, without food, exposed to the wild beasts, and buffeted by Satan for forty days, He responded anyway.

Jesus' actions exemplify the two most important dimensions of a life of purpose; 1) He knew what God the Father had called Him to do, and 2) He was responsive to the calling of the Holy Spirit in His life. We too have a purpose to fulfill. May we continually listen to the “still small voice” of the Spirit guiding us to His purposes in our lives, and be responsive to that leading.

The Truth: “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Daniel 12 "Israel's Time of Trouble"

"At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (vv.1-2)

Here Daniel is telling us that, “at that time,” the time of Israel’s future great trouble – referring to the calamity known as the Great Tribulation, also known as the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), a time of such trouble that no nation has ever seen, the angel Michael (also called the archangel), shall stand up. And every one who's name is found written in the book, shall be delivered. 

The Jewish people have known many times of trouble through their history. From the horrors at the fall of Samaria and Jerusalem to the terrors wrought by Antiochus Epiphanes, to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, to the persecutions from the church during the Dark Ages, to the pogroms of Europe, to the 20th Century Holocaust. One could say Israel’s history has often been a time of trouble. Yet this time, it will be different. Jesus described it in Matthew 24:21 saying: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” 

But despite the terrors of that coming time, deliverance is assured. No matter how great the attack is against the Jewish people, God promises to preserve them (a remnant). He will never break His promise to Abraham: “And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you” (Genesis 17:7).

So how will this deliverance take place? Well, we know that; 144,000 (12k from the 12 tribes) are sealed by God and protected from the plaques of the Great Tribulation, and those who flee to the wilderness – to the “rock” city of Petra as directed by Jesus (Matthew 24, Mark 13) will also be preserved by God (Isaiah 16). But, those that do not flee, the antichrist will then go and make war against the remnant of the people that stay in the land, and there will be a horrible devastation of those who remained until Jesus comes and ends it all. And Daniel tells us that exact time in verse 11, “‪From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days,” until His coming.

Then, 45 days later (v.12), He will gather together the nations for judgment and separate them as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And to those in His right hand, "Come ye blessed of the Father. Enter into the kingdom that was prepared for you from the foundations of the earth." To those on His left, "Depart from Me, workers of iniquity, into the everlasting darkness which was prepared for Satan and his angels."

"He that has an ear to hear, let him hear."

The Truth: “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)

Daniel 11 "The Anti-Christ's Predicted End"

"He will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.” (v.45)

Here in chapter 12, Daniel lays out details of the battles which take place before Armageddon, along with the defeat of the anti-christ and his rule. During the great tribulation, the Antichrist will be attacked in a pincer movement from both the north and the south, yet he will be successful, sweeping through like a flood (v.40).

He will also invade Israel, the beautiful land, ignoring some nations that are in alliance with him but conquering others, including Egypt, Libya, and Sudan (the Cushites) (vv.41-43). Then, reports of nations from the east and the north coming to attack will both terrify and infuriate him, leading him to pursue a course of genocidal warfare against his enemies, especially many of the Jewish people (v.44; Zech 13:8-9).

The Antichrist will then establish his military capital in Israel, pitching his royal tents between the Mediterranean Sea and the city of Jerusalem, situated on the beautiful holy mountain (v.45a). There the nations of the earth will gather (Zech 14:2) at Mount Megiddo to begin the campaign of Armageddon (Rev 16:13-16).

At that time, when the nation of Israel calls on the Messiah, Jesus will return (Mt 23:37-39) to deliver them, and the Antichrist will meet his end, with no one to help him (v.45b).

The Truth: “Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast (anti-christ) was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.” (Revelation 19:19-21)

Daniel 10 "Daniel's Prayer Heard"

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” (vv.12-14)

God responded to Daniel’s prayer the very moment he made his request known. Daniel had been in great and serious prayer for three full weeks (Daniel 10:2). However we see here in our text that the angel was delayed because, "the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood him." Since this prince was able to oppose the angelic messenger to Daniel, we know this was more than a man. This prince was some kind of angelic being, and we know he was an evil angelic being because he opposed the word of God coming to Daniel and stood against the angelic messenger.

The word prince has the idea of a ruler or authority. This fits in well with the New Testament idea that angelic ranks are organized and have a hierarchy (Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 6:12, Colossians 1:16, Colossians 2:15). These angelic ranks seem to include both faithful angels and fallen angels. Apparently, this was a demon of high rank that opposed the answer to prayer. On three occasions, Jesus referred to Satan as the prince of this world (John 12:31, 14:30, and 16:11).

Since the angel was dispatched immediately and Daniel’s period of prayer and self-denial was 21 days (the three full weeks of Daniel 10:2), we see that the answer to the prayer was delayed by the prince of the kingdom of Persia.

Thus, there may be hindering factors of which a praying Christian knows nothing as he wonders why the answers to his requests are delayed. Nevertheless, he is to keep on praying. 

Like Daniel, our prayers are heard and like him we must be both patient and persistent. We must also strive in our prayer life to understand what God wants to accomplish in our present situation. 

Humbling ourselves before the creator of the universe is a good start, as God is not some genie we can summon for our three immediate wishes. It may take some time. 

True revelation and understanding will only come as we truly seek His will and not our own.

The Truth: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done.....” (Matthew 6:10)

Daniel 9 "Daniel's Prayer"

"Then I set my face before the Lord God to make request in prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.” (v.3)

This is one of the great chapters of prayer in the Bible. Here Daniel is interceding for the nation of Israel, asking God to have mercy on them and forgiveness for their rebellion and disobedience. By all indications this prayer may have taken days, as we see in the latter part of the verse it was done with fasting while wearing sackcloth and ashes.

Interestingly enough, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national fast in the midst of the Civil War. He said of this nation, “We have forgotten God, we have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, multiplied, enriched, and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, and too proud to pray to the God that made us! It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”

Daniel did precisely that. His prayer offered during the Exile, is one of the Bible’s great intercessory prayers. To demonstrate his humility and sorrow for the sins of the nation, he fasted and put on sackcloth and ashes. His prayer revealed; faith in Jeremiah’s prophecy that the Exile would last seventy years, it showed humility and a submissive knowledge of God’s person and Law, along with an understanding that God’s punishment was just.

Today, the most important area of service that we can do for the state of our country, is to pray – and more so as we see the Day of the Lord approaching. For His punishment will be just.

The Truth: “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36”)

Daniel 8 "The Vision Interpreted "

 Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me,”Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.” Now, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me, and stood me upright. And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be. (vv.15-19)

Daniel was still in the midst of his vision when he saw himself on the shores of this Persian river. He heard someone instruct Gabriel to "explain the vision to Daniel." Gabriel assured Daniel that this vision had to do with end times, a latter time of the indignation. The terms "time of the end" and "latter time of the indignation" commonly refer to what we think of as the end times, not events fulfilled more than a 100 years before the birth of Jesus (in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes).

Though this prophecy was fulfilled in Antiochus Epiphanes, it also has a later fulfillment in the Antichrist, referring to "the time of the end." Antiochus Epiphanes is sometimes called the “Antichrist of the Old Testament.” He prefigures the "Antichrist of the New Testament." Just as Antiochus Epiphanes rose to power with force and intrigue, so will the later Antichrist. As Antiochus persecuted the Jews, so will the Antichrist. As Antiochus stopped sacrifice and desecrated the temple, so will the Antichrist. And just as Antiochus seemed to be a complete success, so will the Antichrist.

For us, Daniel’s prophetic vision of the “time of the end,” draws nearer every day. His vision prefigures the rule of the Antichrist in the coming end of days. He shall come to power through flattery (a smooth talker), striking a covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27), deceiving many, looking like the man of peace, having the power of Satan to do signs and lying wonders. He will exalt himself, he will sit as God in the temple of God, showing himself to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). But he will eventually be defeated by the hand of Christ (Revelation 19:20).

Daniel’s vision will have it’s ultimate fulfillment in the not so distant future. Therefore, let every man who has an ear to hear, hear this, and keep your eyes on Israel, the center of all this future action.

The Truth: “ But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.” (Revelation 19:20-21)

Daniel 7 "Daniel's Vision"

"But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” (v.18)

Daniel 7 records an unusual vision that he received in the first year of the Babylonian king Belshazzar (555-556 B.C.). The vision predicts major world empires and events from the time of Daniel to the second coming of Christ. The vision ended with Daniel saying, “My thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart” (v.28). So, what did Daniel see?

In our text Daniel records, “And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.” Those great beasts are "four kings, four empires, which arise out of the earth” (v.17).

The first beast: the Chaldean or Babylonian Empire, the second the Medo-Persian Empire, the third the Greco-Macedonian Empire, and the fourth beast was the dreadful and terrible Roman Empire, of which Daniel says, “It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns” (v.7). Meaning a confederation of ten nations.

Daniel then says, “As I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words” (v.8). This little horn (the anti-christ) makes war against the saints, speaks pompous words against God, intends to change times and law, and persecutes the saints for a “time and times and half a time” (literally three and a half years, but using the day-for-a-year principle of Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6, 1,260 years). Meaning his power over the saints is limited.

Daniel then records for us that he also saw the conclusion concerning the “little horn” when Jesus Christ returns,  for “the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever” (v.26; Revelation 18:2). However, Daniel does not stop there. He goes on to describe what happens next, “Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. That’s us. Hallelujah! 

Many things troubled Daniel in this vision – such as the ferocity of the attack to come against his people from the conspicuous horn. But Daniel was convinced that the end promises of the prophecy were true, and that it was the Word of God. He was so convinced of its truth that his countenance changed as he considered what would happen (v.28).

The Truth: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6,7)

Daniel 6 “Daniel Proves His Worth”

Now Daniel so distinguished himself … that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.” (v.3)

Clearly King Darius caught on to Daniel's value, appointing him as one of three rulers over all his other administrators and even eyeing him for a position over the entire kingdom (v.3). Daniel wasn't just a great man of faith; he was an all-around great man. He had always stood out from the other wise men in the kingdom, and Darius noticed. As he had done so many times before, Daniel proved his worth to his king and was rewarded for it. With reward though came the downside - envy.

Not only did he instill so much confidence in King Darius that he was in line to be the first in command (v. 3), but Daniel’s worst enemies were unable to find fault with him (v.4). Misguided as his fellow administrators were, they understood Daniel well—his allegiance to God and His Word took precedence over his loyalty to the king (v.5).

So the plotters coerced the king into issuing a temporary ban on any prayer to any being, and Daniel’s response was predictable. He did exactly what he had been doing before the decree was issued. Without protest, without compromise, without fear, Daniel prayed. He knew the consequences of his actions. He prayed, gave thanks to God, and asked Him for help (vv. 10-11).

But, to the surprise of King Darius, Daniel was thrown to the lions, sealed in, and imprisoned overnight for breaking the trumped-up decree. However, an angel of God had shut the lions’ mouths—but did not take away their hunger. For the animals feasted on Daniel’s enemies, who were punished for their wicked schemes, and Daniel escaped without a scratch.

Think about this, all Daniel did in this story was pray. God was glorified, the king praised His name, the wicked were judged, and a new decree was issued - all because Daniel prayed. O that we were a praying nation that trusted in God like Daniel.

The Truth: “In You our fathers put their trust; they trusted and You delivered them.” - Psalm 22:4

Our Thanksgiving History

The original feast in 1621 occurred sometime between September 21 and November 11. Unlike our modern holiday, it was three days long. The event was based on English harvest festivals, which traditionally occurred around the 29th of September. After that first harvest was completed by the Plymouth colonists, Gov. William Bradford proclaimed a day of, "Thanksgiving and Prayer,” shared by all the colonists and neighboring Indians. 

During the American Revolution, a yearly day of national Thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress. In 1817 New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom, and by the middle of the 19th century many other states had done the same. Here is a exerpt from the state of New-Hampshire's Thanksgiving Proclamation.

"The congress in general assembly do here by command the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness."

In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed a day of Thanksgiving as the last Thursday in November, which he may have correlated with the November 21, 1621, anchoring of the Mayflower at Cape Cod. Since then, each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day Proclamation. President Franklin D. Roosevelt set the date for Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November in 1939. (approved by Congress in 1941)

As a nation our forefathers knew the value of thanking God for all His blessings. It is my prayer that our current and future generations of leaders will do the same. 

The Truth
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Daniel 5 “The Interpretation”

“And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” (vv.25-28)

Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, knew the power of God but he chose to ignore it. He was well aware of the things that happened to his grandfather king Nebuchadnezzar through the written records his grandfather left behind. The madness that he experienced until the seven seasons had passed over him, his restoration, and the proclamation that his grandfather made, "there is no god in all the earth like the God of Daniel who is able to set up those whom He would and bring down those whom He would. And sets in authority those whom He will" (v.21).

Belshazzar knew all of this, including that the vessels he used for his feasting were from God’s holy temple in Jerusalem. Yet he blasphemed God anyway (by desecrating the sacred goblets looted from the temple in Jerusalem for his partying), the God in whose hand his very breath was in (v.23). 

Now during this fest a supernatural hand appeared and wrote an inscription on the wall which no one could interpret. So Daniel was called in to give the interpretation. He told the king that God had “numbered” or “counted out” his kingdom and finished it. In other words God was saying, “It’s over Belshazzar,” your time is up – Both Babylon and Belshazzar were about to face God's judgment that very night (v.30), as the Medes and the Persians would overtake Babylon and execute the king.

There will always be people like Belshazzar who will belittle the existence of God. People who seem to be so forward in their mockery, ridicule, and blasphemy of God, that they have no fear of Him within their hearts at all - just brazenly living in open denial. Are these people beyond His reach?  Absolutely not, but all of our days are numbered, each one of us has a limited amount of time on this earth, to change the course of our lives. And God alone knows the length of time given to each person.  

Therefore, I pray the Lord of the Harvest to make himself known to all those who need to be humbled in your life - for there will come a time of judgment when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is LORD. Better to do it now as a part of His family, than to hear those chilling words, “I never knew you, depart from Me, you workers of iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).

The Truth: "Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)

Daniel 4 "God Humbles Men"

 “And those who walk in pride, He is able to humble.” (v.37)

King Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of the Babylonian empire, and the most powerful ruler in the history of the world, struggled with pride. What a shock! We’ve all heard it, “power corrupts but absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Pride is the foundational sin of everyone who is not saved, and a stumbling block to those who are. Pride is what caused the fall of Lucifer, thinking he could exalt himself above the stars of God. (Isaiah 14:13) The moment any of us begin to think more highly of ourselves than we should, you can be sure a correction is on its way.

This king was humbled through a series of dreams given to him by God and interpreted by Daniel, which came to fulfillment as prophesied. This led the king to say, “And those who walk in pride, He is able to humble.” And boy was He. God will do whatever it takes to bring people to a place where they see their need for Him. He did it to king Nebuchadnezzar, he did it to me, and at some point He will do it to you as well (or maybe He already has).

At that point it becomes decision time, will you accept Him as King of your life, or in your pride remain in your corruption. But make no mistake about it, whichever you choose there will come a day in which all will call Him LORD. Scripture tells us that, “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is LORD” (Romans 14:11). Better to humble yourself now and fall on your knees in repentance, than to allow pride to keep you from salvation.

The Truth: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:18,19)

Daniel 3 "I Am He Who Saves"

 “What god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” (v.15)

Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon commanded the world's most powerful military, had the strongest economy, and could impose his cultural values on the whole world, except Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – three Jews taken captive from Judah who refused to bow to his statue. They were willing to lose their lives that day rather than bow before a statue saying, “We will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (v.18)

Nebuchadnezzar was furious at their defiance of his order, and ordered them bound and thrown into a furnace. The king took their moral stand as a challenge to his authority. He then upped the ante by heating the furnace seven times hotter than normal and said, “What god will be able to rescue you now from my hand” (v.15).

God responded by not only saving the three, but they didn't even smell like smoke. The Lord had saved His servants by His mighty hand, and everyone who was anyone in Babylon was there to see it. Their obedience led to their protection and praise to God out of the mouth of Nebuchadnezzar himself saying, “Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.” (v. 29).

What a change!

The Truth: “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.” (Isaiah 59:1)

Daniel 2 "Daniel Waits On The LORD"

"So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation.”(v.16)

Chapter 2 concerns itself with king Nebuchadnezzar's reocuring dream which troubled his spirit so much that he could not sleep. So he calls on his magicians, his astrologers, his sorcerers, and the Chaldeans (renown astronomers) to test their abilities saying, "I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream" (v.3). "If you tell me the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive gifts, rewards, and great honor, but if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap" (vv.5-6).

Scripture goes on to tell us that the Chaldeans answered the king, "There is no man on earth who can tell the king's matter except the gods, whose dwelling is not with man" (vv.10-11). This response so angered the king that he commanded the execution of all the "wise men" of Babylon (vv.12-13). Before this order could be carried out, Daniel hears of the impending executions (which included him) and seeks an audience with the king. 

Wow! What great courage and confidence Daniel displays here under these circumstances – seeking an audience with the very king who wanted to kill him. Daniel was young, probably in his early twenties, and different than most of the king’s advisers.  He lived a separated life (Daniel 1:8). Not a part of the king’s court and all the partying, but a life devoted to seeking the Lord, which probably did not go over well with those around him, but found favor with the kings guard for his convictions. 

So Daniel, showing great wisdom (along with his faith of an expectant answer), asks the king for time to hear from his God - to wait on the Lord – to receive the expected outcome – both the dream and the interpretation. Daniel knew God would speak to him, of that he had no doubts. So he separated himself form them, went to his house, and sought the LORD with his companions. (vv.17-19) Then, the king's secret was revealed to him in a night vision which he was able to both describe and interpret for the king (vv.24-45).

Separation and expectation are the two key components in hearing from God, along with devotion to His living Word. I employ you, in these uncertain times, to find time for all three, that you too may hear from Him as well.

The Truth: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:5,6)

Daniel 1 "Daniel's Resolve"

"But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.” (v.8)

Daniel was a captive in a foreign land, but he did not forget his religious principles. He could not in good conscience eat meat that had been dedicated to a pagan god and had not been slaughtered in accordance with Hebrew laws. He asked for a simple fare of vegetables and water, and the steward risked his life to honor his request. I believe he did this because Daniel’s noble conduct had earned his respect.

The world looks with disdain on Christians who do not live by what they say they believe. That’s why we should remain true to our convictions. Consistency of character is what gains the respect of others. When the challenges come, and they will come, believers can be "strong in the Lord" and press forward in their convictions by "the power of His might." Rather than being overcome by the crowd, we can be over-comers. Nothing should deter us in our Christian walk, nor divert us from our prescribed course. We don't have to give in to any temptation or foe.

Therefore, "Be strong in the LORD, and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10), and unlike rivers, which have no choice in the matter, we can remain straight by refusing to follow the path of least resistance.

The Truth: "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them (false prophets), because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

Matthew 28 "He Is Risen"

“He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:6)

Jesus had often predicted that He would rise from the dead, but the disciples did not understand it, and consequently did not expect it. But God would not leave His Son in a tomb, nor suffer Him to see corruption. He was not stolen away as the chief priests hired the soldiers to say He was; nor was He removed to another place, as Mary Magdalene first thought, when she found Him gone; but He had risen from the dead, by the power of His Father.

Therefore, when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arrived at the tomb expecting to anoint the body of Jesus, they were met by an angel of the LORD instead saying, “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.” It took the Lord Himself appearing to; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, to Peter, then the twelve collectively showing them His hands and His feet, eating with them and finally opening their understanding to the scriptures, before their blindness turned to joy and their hope restored.  

Just as it took the infallible truth of the scriptures to open the eyes of those who walked with Jesus then, so it may be with our loved ones today as well. With so much evil in our world, we need to keep praying that our Lord will bring His truth into their lives and open their understanding to His love and grace.

The Truth: Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And on the third day He will rise again.” (Matthew 20:17-19) 

Matthew 27 "Let Him Be Crucified!"

Pilate said to them, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let him be crucified." To which the governor replied, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they cried out the more, saying, "Let him be crucified.” (Matthew 27:22-23)

Death by Roman crucifixion was a result of the whole body weight being supported by the outstretched arms of the victim. When nailed to the cross, there was a massive strain put on the wrists, arms and shoulders often resulting in a dislocation of the shoulder and elbow joints. The rib cage was constrained in a fixed position, which made it extremely difficult to exhale, and impossible to take a full breath.

The victim would continually try to push himself up by his feet to allow for inflation of the lungs, enduring terrible pain in his feet and legs. Eventually, the pain in the feet and legs would become so unbearable, that the victim was forced to trade breathing for pain and die of suffocation. The length of time required to die from crucifixion could range from hours (if they broke your legs), to a number of days depending on an individual physical condition. Crucifixion was chiefly inflicted on slaves and the worst kind of criminals, and was considered a most shameful and disgraceful way to die. Condemned Roman citizens were usually exempt from it.

Jesus voluntarily died this death (refusing the medication v. 34) for you and for me, that we might have forgiveness of sin through His atonement. But, this greatest gift ever given was not His end, the best was yet to come in chapter 28. Hope to see you there.

The Truth: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Matthew 26 “The Prayer of Jesus”

"And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39)

In this prayer we are shown the two wills of Christ, the human and Divine. The human will seeking deliverance from torture by requesting, “if it be possible”, is there another way? While at the same time the divine will, ready to submit and comply with His impending death on the cross, “not as I will, but as You will.”

Three times that night Jesus prayed this prayer. Luke’s gospel records that Jesus was in such conflict of soul and body that, "his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground." Luke further records that, an angel was dispensed from heaven to strengthen and support the fainting human life of our savior, that He might drink the cup of indignation and death for us (Luke 22:43-44).

This prayer of Jesus is meant for our example to follow, when going through our own struggle of wills. May we learn to endure whatever God's will may be in our lives, whether easy or difficult in dispensation, and put His will above our own.

The Truth: “In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things, which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.”

Matthew 25 “Be Ready”

Here in chapter 25 Jesus finishes His Olivet Discourse with a piece of practical advise, Be Ready.

In light of the end times there are three things one must consider in relation to being ready: 1) personal salvation (vv.1-13), 2) responsible stewardship (vv. 14-30) and 3) practical servanthood (vv. 31-46).

If the rapture occurred tonight, would you be ready? Would you be found: 1) With His Spirit burning in your heart? 2) Making the most of the talents you have been given? And 3) Serving others? 

Jesus said, “Pray that you will be found worthy to be kept from the hour of tribulation” (Luke 21:36). In other words, some will not be ready, and they will go through that terrible time. Make no mistake, Jesus is coming again in all His glory, and all the holy angels with Him (v. 31). The only question is, "Will you be ready?"

The Truth: “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” (2 Thessalonians 5:1-10)

Matthew 24 “End Of Days”

“But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (v.37)

OK. What were the days of Noah like? The Bible tells us that the wickedness of man was great, and that every imagination of his heart was only evil (Genesis 6:5). Abnormal sexual practices abounded (Genesis 6:4), and that violence and corruption filled the earth (Genesis 6:11). Sound familiar?

Today, we are seeing the days of Noah virtually repeated by man. Violence, corruption, evil imaginations and abnormal sexual practices are abounding. Add to that, pestilences, famines and earthquakes, floods and tsunamis. Along with a society that calls good evil and evil good. Noah lived before the flood, and we before the fire. Noah spoke of a coming physical rain (to man's days), and we (the church) the coming reign of Christ (to end man's days).

Noah had been building his ark and preaching to his people for one hundred and twenty years, but they did not listen. They just kept living in sin, and each day was like the next - eating, drinking and marrying. Right up until the day Noah entered into the ark and it began to rain. So too people today care nothing for their spiritual future, though they hear the message all around them: radio, TV, pod cast, churches, friends, neighbors, family. They only live for the moment with no regrets. After all, there's plenty of time to "catch up" with Jesus, right? Wrong!

In chapter 24 Jesus speaks of the end times as they relate to nations, Israel specifically, and the church. At the end of the chapter (vv. 42-51), Jesus instructs all of us to be faithful servants, to be watchful, wise, and warns us concerning the events of His return. And like those who were shut out of the Ark in Noah's day when it began to rain, so shall it be with those who have not headed the warning, and accepted God's Son before the coming of Jesus - in the twinkling of an eye.

Therefore, be His faithful servants, be watchful, be wise, and be warned, for the end of days draws near.

The Truth: “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7)

Matthew 23 "Playing The Hypocrite"

"Wow to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”  (vv. 27-28)

These are words that cut to the heart, for we all are guilty of playing the hypocrite. A hypocrite is literally, “one who hides behind a mask.” There’s an old story of a man who told the pastor he didn’t go to church because there were so many hypocrites there. The pastor responded by saying, “Oh, don’t let that stop you. There’s always room for one more.”

While I’m sure you could find at least one in every church, genuine believers remember that they are first and foremost forgiven hypocrites themselves. There’s an old saying that, "going to church doesn’t make one a believer any more than going into a garage makes one a mechanic." What some people perceive as hypocrisy in the church is in fact the result of a mistaken assumption. Some people assume others are believers just because they get up on Sundays and go to a place called church. It’s just not so.

On another related note, authentic believers are also sinners, and they know it. The apostle John wrote, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). A hypocrite claims to be without fault in one area or another. An authentic believer on the other hand, freely admits to the fact that he or she is a sinner, and consistently seeks forgiveness from it.

If you would like to get rid of your mask and join in the family of authentic believers, Jesus is ready to forgive you and bring you into His family. Just stop pretending, admit your weaknesses, and come on home. (See the prayer to the right of this post)

The Truth: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleans us for all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Matthew 22 "Jesus Questioned About The Law"

But the Pharisees, when they heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him saying, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" (v. 34-36)

Here in chapter 22 Jesus had been answering questions posed to Him by the Pharisees and the Sadducees designed to, "entangle Him in His own talk" (v. 15). In the beginning of this passage we find our Lord replying to a question of a certain lawyer, who thought for sure he could entrap Jesus into a theological corner of disgrace by asking him, "Which is the greatest commandment of the law?"

The question, was obviously asked in no friendly spirit. But, we have reason to be thankful however that it was asked at all, for it drew an answer full of precious instruction, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang the Law and the Prophets" (vv. 37-40)

The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Lawyers, they all wanted to make religion complicated. And they certainly didn't like the idea of Jesus (the son of a carpenter), one who had no "formal training" in their eyes, winning the hearts of the people through His simple teachings. But Jesus was correct, the heart of the Law and the way to salvation is to love the LORD our God with all our hearts.

The Truth: "We love him because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

Matthew 21 "The Barren Fig Tree"

"Now in the morning, as He (Jesus) returned to the city, He hungered. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves, and said unto it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” And immediately the fig tree withered away." (v.18-20)

Here we see that Jesus hungered. He went to the fig tree expecting fruit because it had leaves; but, finding no fruit, He sentenced it to perpetual barrenness. This cursing of the barren “fig-tree” represents the state of hypocrites in general; the state of the nation, and people of the Jews in particular. They were the “fig-tree” planted in Christ's way as a church, but like the tree they were covered in leaves but no fruit - a huge disappointment to our Lord Jesus.

We too must be careful not to be a disappointment, a hypocrite, or a false witness to Christ and to those around us. May God help us to be like the tree, "planted beside rivers of water” that bears fruit in its season, ready to give sustenance to all in need, and not like the barren fig tree.

Therefore, don’t let your roots become dry. Water them daily with His Word and fruit will abound from your life to others.

The Truth: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

Matthew 20 “The Parable Of The Laborer”

“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.” (v. 1)

This parable, recorded only by Matthew, is closely connected with the end of the nineteenth chapter and Peter's question as to how it should fare with those who, like himself, had left all for Christ.

Jesus’s teaching here is designed to show that while the disciples would be richly rewarded, a certain equity would still be observed towards later converts and workmen in His service who may not have labored as long. While some men may have come to Christ earlier in life, and served Him longer than others who have been recently converted, will enter the kingdom of heaven.

Thus, every man ought to go forward in service to Him without stopping or staggering, and not curiously examining the doings of other men. The lesson is, watch out for jealousy and greed. Be more concerned with answering your calling, not your position or reward of others. 

The Truth: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)

Matthew 19 “What Do I Lack?”

Now behold one came to Him and said, “Good master, what good thing shall I do to have eternal life?” (v. 16)

Here in chapter 19 we find Jesus counseling a rich young ruler. Throughout this young man's life he has tried to do the good thing, the right thing to his fellow man. And yet, he is conscious that there is a void in his life, and that there must be something more than just living a good life and being wealthy, to gain eternal life (v. 20). So he asked Jesus, "What do I lack?"

Jesus then answered his question by telling him to leave his wealth behind, to come and follow Him, and he would have treasure in heaven (v. 21). Now when the young rich man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had a great many possessions (v. 22). Then said Jesus turned unto his disciples and said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (v 24).

This response by Jesus has been misunderstood by many and was never intended to be a universal commandment. It was a statement meant for the rich young ruler only, to expose the one thing that was holding him back from eternal life, his wealth. Jesus was indicating that it is impossible to buy or work your way into heaven. No man by any good work can inherit eternal live. It is a gift of God, and it is only brought by a miracle of God working in our hearts and lives through His Spirit, and not bought with wealth or works.

Therefore, what is impossible with man, is possible with God (v. 26). And, like all men, he had a choice. So what did the rich young ruler lack? The desire to follow Jesus, for He is the way to eternal life, and there is no real life apart from Him.

The Truth: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6)

Matthew 18 "Become As A Child"

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Truly I say to you, except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (v.3)

The disciples were often concerned about the question of greatness. They seem to ask this question thinking that Jesus had already chosen one of them as greatest. Therefore, they wanted hear it from Him who among them would hold the highest position in the administration He would soon establish. His answer was very humbling.   

Jesus set a little child before His disciples (who were arguing who would be the greatest in the kingdom v.1), solemnly assuring them that unless they were converted and became like a little child pure in heart, they could not enter His kingdom.

In Mark’s gospel we are given some insight into this portion of scripture. Mark says (Mark 9:35) that Jesus, before he placed the little child in the midst of them, told them that, "if any man desires to be first, the same shall be last and the servant of all." That is, he shall be the most distinguished who is the most humble, and who is willing to be esteemed least of all.

Little children are (to a great extent), free from of ambition, pride, and haughtiness. They are characteristically humble, innocent and teachable. Jesus is telling His disciples to take on those characteristics, to lay aside their ambitious views and their pride, and be willing to occupy their proper station as a servant. He is teaching them there is no room for rivalry, jealousy, ambition, worldliness, distrust and conceit. That they must turn away from such failings and “Become as little children.”

A good lesson for us all. 

The Truth: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

Matthew 17 "Jesus Speaks Of His Death And Resurrection"

And while they stayed in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill Him, and the third day He shall be raised again." And they were exceeding sorry. (vv. 22-23)

Here in our text, Jesus reminds His disciples about His future sufferings. He rarely told His disciples about His coming death without also telling of His coming resurrection. We know that the disciples didn’t really comprehend the glorious triumph of the resurrection, because they were "exceedingly sorrowful." 

I think if His disciples would have just listened closer to what Jesus was telling them (that He would raise from the dead in three days), they would not have been nearly so grieved. Their grief was a bitter grief such as non-believers, who have no hope beyond this life when they lose their loved ones. The disciples simply could not (at this point) conceive of life without their Savior being their in the flesh by their side.

Yet Jesus, though He had the power to call upon heaven to save Him from His future agony, was willing to accept what was to come, to suffer and die on the cross for the sins of the world - even though many would reject His deity and His resurrection. 

While none of us will ever face such a death, we will one day face it. And during that moment, or other difficult seasons in life, may we learn to endure the path we must walk, endure the pain that comes our way, and to be content with His will in our lives. For a New Heaven and a New Earth awaits those who believe on Him.

The Truth: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Matthew 16 “Who Do You Say That I Am?”

 Here in chapter 16 Jesus asks two questions of His disciples; 1) Whom do men say that I am? and 2) Whom do you say that I am? One could ask the first question of people today and get a similar variety of answers His disciples reported over 2000 years ago; a teacher, a prophet, a healer, even a good man.

Simon Peter answered the second question correctly when he responded, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v.16). Typical of Peter, straight and to the point. Anything short of that would have been the wrong answer. 

Today the eternal question remains the same, who do you believe Jesus is? Is He a teacher? A prophet? A good man? Or, is He the Christ, the Son of the living God. Your answer will determine your eternal future.

As we approach the Christmas season, a holiday set aside to recognize the Savior's birth, a time when everywhere you go some will say, "Happy Holidays" but others "Merry CHRISTmas." Do yourself an eternal favor and recognize the One we sing about during this time of year; the "King of kings", the "LORD of lords", Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

The Truth: “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:15)

Matthew 15 "Matters Of The Heart"

"Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” (vv.16-20)

Here in chapter 15 Jesus is teaching on matters of the heart. While doing so He completely disregards some oral Jewish traditions, infuriating the Scribes and Pharisees who stand more on tradition than scripture. Jesus is teaching that, it is more important to wash your heart than your hands. Why? “Because the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9).

The solution to defilement then is to cleans the heart not the hands. As King David wrote in the Psalms we should, "hide God’s word in our hearts, that we might not sin against Him” (Psalm 119:11). How is defilement avoided? By God’s Word, purifying our hearts, certainly not by ceremonially washing our hands.

May we be more concerned with what goes into our hearts and eventually comes out of our mouths, and stand on scripture rather than tradition.   

The Truth: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)

Matthew 14 "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus"

Peter said, Lord, if it is you, bid me to come to you on the water. And Jesus said, “Come." But when Peter saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and he began to sink, and he cried, saying, Oh, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, why did you doubt?” (vv. 28-31)

Here in chapter 14 Jesus had just sent the multitudes of people away (who had followed Him out of the city) in order that He might spend some time in prayer by Himself. He had spent the day healing the sick, feeding the Five Thousand from five loaves and two fish, and encouraging/instructing His disciples. Being spent from the demands of the day, He was in need of strengthening His own Spirit through prayer to His father. Therefore, He sent His disciples ahead of Him in a boat to cross the sea and told them He would meet them on the other side. 

Scripture next tells us that some time later, the boat was in the middle of the sea being tossed by the waves and that the wind was contrary (v.24). Then, in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea (v.25). This was somewhere between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. According to Mark (Mark 6:47-52), Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water after they had exhausted themselves rowing against the waves and windy storm. No wonder they thought he was a ghost and cried out in fear (v.26), they were probably delirious. 

Therefore, Jesus immediately spoke to them these comforting words, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." This statement caused Peter to reply, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And we know what happened from there.

The lesson for all of us here is to keep our eyes upon Jesus and not on our circumstances. When we start looking around at our problems we can begin to sink. Every one of us faces daily situations that could sink us, if we allow ourselves to get caught up into our circumstances. We just need to keep our eyes on the Lord, the Master over the wind and the waves of our daily lives. Then, like Peter, who when looking at Jesus was able to walk on water, so shall we conquer our our daily trials in like manner.

Yes we can all become distracted by the wind and waves around us. But, even in our moments of "little faith” God is there, ready to comfort and help His children - Even when we are doubting Him.

The Truth: "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)

Matthew 13 "The Parable of The Wheat and The Tares"

"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while he slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way." (vv. 24-25)

Chapter 13 is often called, The Kingdom Parables. Parables generally teach one main point or principle. The idea behind the word parable is “to throw alongside of.” It is a story thrown alongside the truth intended to teach. Parables have been called “earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.” A parable is not an allegory; an allegory is a story in which every possible detail has an inner meaning; but an allegory has to be read and studied; a parable is heard. We must be very careful not to make allegories of the parables. 

One of the parables spoken by Jesus here in chapter 13 is the parable of “The Wheat and the Tares” (vv. 24-30), a story many in an Agrarian society could identify with. The good wheat coexisting along side with the bad tares sowed by an enemy. And the wisdom of the master in allowing them both to grow together until harvest time, at which point the difference would be manifested. The tares then would be gathered into bundles and burned, but the wheat would be gathered and placed into the barn. 

In this parable the field is the world, the wheat the sons of the kingdom, and the tears are the sons of the wicked one. This world was created (planted) by God and for His good pleasure, and He (the master) has allowed the good to flourish along with the bad in it. However, like all creation, this world will have an end. Then, at the end of days, there will be a great harvest-day, a day of judgment. During that harvest, all is ripe and ready to be cut down. Some to be burned with fire, while others will be gathered and placed into His Kingdom.

At that time, better to be the wheat than the tares.

The Truth: And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” (Revelation 14:15)

Matthew 12 "The Unpardonable Sin"

"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” (vv.30-32)

Here in our text, Jesus removed any illusions about a neutral response to Him or His work. If one is not for Him, then that one is against Him. If one does not work with Jesus, by either active opposition or passive disregard, that one works against Jesus (he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad). 

Next Jesus solemnly warned the religious leaders against rejecting Him. Their rejection of Jesus – especially considering what they had seen of Him and His work – showed that they were completely rejecting the Holy Spirit’s ministry. That ministry is to testify of Jesus, "He will testify of Me" (John 15:26), hence the warning of committing the unforgivable sin (which is fatal). 

The eternal consequences of this sin force us to regard it seriously. Therefore, how can one know if they have in fact blasphemed the Holy Spirit? The fact that one desires Jesus at all shows that they are not guilty of this sin. Yet continued rejection of Jesus makes us more hardened against Him and puts us on the path of a full and final rejection of Him. 

The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict men of their sin, by revealing to man the answer for his sin, Jesus Christ. God has made only one provision for our forgiveness, one provision for the putting away of our sin, and that provision is in and through His Son. The Spirit of God then comes to bear witness of this fact to us. If one continually refuses that work of the Holy Spirit in their heart, there is no forgiveness. And without His forgiveness of our sin we are doomed. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our LORD" (Romans 6:23).  

The Truth: “There is no other name (Jesus Christ) given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 ).

Matthew 11 "Have Faith In God"

 Jesus said unto them, "Have Faith In God.” (v.22)

Here in chapter 11 Jesus was teaching his disciples to have faith in God to accomplish those things which seem beyond man's capabilities. This short statement literally means, have the faith of God - full, perfect, effectual faith. No doubts, no fears, just an unwavering confidence in the agent doing the work – God.

Jesus said, "Come unto to Me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). By allowing Him to shoulder our burdens, it not only lightens our load, but gives us peace and rest in our souls knowing He is faithful.

Therefore, the next time you find yourself struggling behind the plow of life, exercise your faith in God by displaying your unwavering confidence in Him, to accomplish those things which are beyond your control.

The Truth: "Our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20)

Matthew 10 “Where Do You Stand?”

“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.” (vv. 32-33)

One day we will all stand before God, but those who have stood for Christ here on earth, will not stand alone before God in heaven. Those who have confessed Jesus Christ before men, when their name is called to stand before God, Jesus will step forth and confess them before the Father. As Jude said of Jesus, "To Him (give glory) who is able to keep us from stumbling, and to present us "faultless" before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 1:24).

However, if a person denied Jesus Christ before men, they will stand alone before God. And in that sobering moment may even turn to Him and say, "Lord, Lord," but He will shake His head and say, "I never knew you.” Wow! what a fearful thing to stand before the living God with no advocate. Better to confess Him now, willingly, and save your soul, than to confess later, on your knees, before the living God, and have no advocate to save you from eternal judgment.

The Truth:  "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” (Romans 14:11)