2 Corinthians 9 "Give According To Your Heart"

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (vv.7-8)

Here in chapter 9 Paul again takes on the delicate subject of giving to the work of the LORD. Over a year ago, Corinth had promised to contribute to the Lord’s work in Jerusalem, but, as of yet they had failed to follow through with their pledge. Paul was concerned about negative consequences if other churches, especially the Macedonians, discovered the Corinthians' lack of integrity. These churches had given sacrificially partly because Paul had shared with them about the Corinthians' enthusiasm for the Jerusalem collection. 

So Paul takes it upon himself to send Titus (and an unnamed brother) to receive (collect) their gift, which they had previously promised, and encourages them to “let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 

I love the way Paul does not condemn, nor places a guilt trip on them. He lovingly reminds them of their promise to give but places no amount, no percentage, no goals on them, even though they were financially much better off than most churches at that time. 

Giving comes from love, from our hearts to those in need, and for the furtherance of the Gospel. Our motive should never be what we may get in return. For God’s incredible gift to us of His Son, and our salvation, will forever be enough. Therefore, as the Spirit leads you - give to the work of the LORD.

The Truth: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, and poured into your lap. Foe with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)

2 Corinthians 8 “Giving To The Work of The Ministry”

“For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they (churches of Macedonia) gave of their own accord.” (v. 3)

Here Paul is speaking about the poor churches in Macedonia who were contributing to the work of the ministry according to their ability and in some cases beyond. Their generosity is even more remarkable when we realize that the entire Macedonia region had suffered economically from political turmoil and decreased trade. 

In stark contrast, the wealthy Corinthians here in chapter 8 had made an initial commitment toward the Jerusalem collection, but had failed to follow through. So Paul relates to them the record of the Macedonian churches and entrusts Titus with the responsibility of exhorting them in this regard (vv.6-7).

Speaking on the subject of money and exhorting others to give to the work of the ministry is easier for some than it is for others. Some have made this their life's calling from the pulpit, making the flock feel guilty for not giving more to the LORD. While others only mention it when they happen to come across it in scripture. Paul’s encouragement here to the wealthy of Corinth was to simply, follow through with their word, their commitment, as the other churches had done. No dollar amount, no percentage, nor financial goal - just encouragement to give of their own accord.

Jesus is our best example here when it comes to giving. He said in Matthew 10, “Freely you have received, freely give” (v.8). And again in Luke’s gospel when He saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins into the temple treasury He said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:1-4).

Giving comes from the heart, not from the head. The poor widow and the Macedonians showed that poverty doesn't preclude generosity. Giving, according to our ability, enables us to participate in something greater than ourselves. Through our financial gifts, we're able to participate in supporting ministries around the world, our own local churches, missionaries, pastors, widows, orphans, military families, the homeless, and the list goes on. Our giving is not just limited to financial gifts either. It can also include, our time, our presence, talents, service and prayers.

Therefore, give what you can from a cheerful heart and the LORD will multiply it one hundred times over, for you can never out give God.

The Truth: “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

2 Corinthians 7 “Godly Sorrow”

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (v.10)

Two kinds of repentance are possible in human experience. One is ‘the sorrow of the world,” a feeling induced by the fear of getting caught. This results in a superficial sorrow that may lead to a temporary change of heart, but not to a genuine turning to Christ for forgiveness. Which our text tells us, leads to spiritual death. The other is "Godly sorrow" which is accompanied by conviction of sin through the work of the Holy Spirit. This stems from the realization of offending a holy God and leads to genuine repentance by piercing the heart (Acts 2:37).

Here in chapter 7, Paul references his former “letter” (v. 8), which many believe to be 1 Corinthians, an epistle where Paul pulled no punches. Divisions, immorality—even turning the Lord’s Supper into a drunken feast. From our reading today we see that Paul did not relish his prophetic role. He genuinely cared about this church, and Paul makes clear that he did not rebuke them merely because he was angry or disappointed in them, Paul made them “sorry” in the hopes that it might produce godly repentance (vv.8-9)

God’s heart towards sin is that none should perish but all should come to repentance (2 Peter 2:9). His desire is to show mercy, for us to have renewed fellowship with Him, to restore relationships, mend fences, receive worship, and bestow blessings, if we would only lay down our pride and repent. So often people can carry unresolved feelings and attitudes around with them for years. They think they can ignore the elephant in the room, but yet, there it is - hidden behind the eyes, in the mind, and deep within heart. 

O what freedom comes from repentance, from giving your burden over to Jesus. For us as believers comes restoration, for the unbeliever salvation. If you have some unresolved issues to reconcile, go to God in prayer first, repent, then go to whom the Spirit has placed on your heart and resolve those issues. Speaking from experience, you will be eternally thankful you did. And like our text says, "not to be regretted."

The Truth: “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us for all unrighteousness.”

(1 John 1:9)

2 Corinthians 6 "Giving No Cause For Offense"

 “Giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited..” (v.3)

Fault-finding is a popular pastime, and unfortunately a lot of us find it’s easy to, "see the speck in our brothers eye, but ignore the beam in our own." Concentrating on the faults of others is a great way to feel better about ourselves. And that’s just the problem. Avoiding the faults that need to be fixed in our own lives not only stunts our spiritual growth, but also obstructs God’s work through us. God’s effectiveness through our lives is enhanced or hindered by the way we live.

It’s no wonder, then, that Paul made a concerted effort to “put no obstacle in anyone’s way.” For him there was nothing more important than his usefulness for Christ in the lives of others. Anything that got in the way of that was dispensable. Paul wanted to be authentic, genuine, Christ-like, especially during the trials of his life. For he once was the "chief" of all sinners, persecuting God's people, and did not want to do anything that would give cause for anyone to doubt his witness, his life, his conversion, and certainly not his ministry.  

If you want to be authentic and useful for God, take an obstacle inventory. Replace your fault by giving it to Jesus, thereby giving no cause for offense to others.

The Truth: “Let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13)

2 Corinthians 5 "Standing Perfect In Christ"

“For He hath made Him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (v.21)

Wow! So much in this chapter; Assurance of the Resurrection, The Judgment Seat of Christ, Being reconciled to God. But, what jumped out at me this time around was our text, "God made Him." Think about that. 

The idea that any man could be sinless was foreign to Jewish thinking (Ecclesiastes 8:5). Despite that, no one challenged Jesus when He claimed to be sinless (John 8:46). Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul carefully chooses his words here. He does not say Jesus was made to be a sinner. Jesus never became a sinner, but He did become sin for us. Even His becoming sin was a righteous act of love, not an act of sin.

When Christ was born an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:20-21). Christ, born of a virgin, sinless, and remained so His entire life, to fulfill one purpose, that He might be the sinless sacrifice to God (who made Him) for all who would believe in His name, to make a way for us (positionally) to enter into heaven through His righteousness. 

Jesus took our sin, but gave us His righteousness. It is a tremendous exchange, all prompted by the love of God for us! Therefore, when God looks at us, He sees only the righteousness of His Son, and we will stand perfected in Him before the throne of God, because God made Him for us (John 3:16). Hallelujah!    

The Truth: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

2 Corinthians 4 "Renew The Inner Man"

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (v.16)

I find it very difficult to be around negative people who do nothing but complain about life. Their grumpiness, cynicism, doubt, and fear, create a depressing environment to be around. Positive people on the other hand, are a pleasure to be around. Their uplifting faith, hope and joy can be an inspiration when going through difficult times in life and inspire us to contentment.

The Apostle Paul knew all about difficult times. He was stoned, beaten, shipwrecked, thrown overboard, and cast into dungeons. If anyone earned the right to be negative about life, it would be him. Instead, he chose to encourage those around him to “not lose heart,” by focusing not on “the outward man,” but to focus God’s Word and renew the "inward man” through His Spirit.

Difficulties in life are givens. We will all struggle in one way or another. And yes, life sometimes just isn't fair. But, projecting that 24/7 can do nothing for our inner man. When going through tough times, Paul encourages us to, "Look not at the things which are seen, but to the things which are not seen." Meaning not the temporal, but the eternal, and to focus on renewing our spirits through God's Word. Then, whether grieving or searching for: His voice, His guidance, His direction or His comfort, the Word will always lift you up and renew your Spirit.

The Truth: "Be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication, and with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the Peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

2 Corinthians 3 "Sufficiency Through God"

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (vv.3-5)

Paul is telling us here that God Himself makes us sufficient as His servants of the good news. This is an encouragement to all who desire to be obedient to the great commission and be used by God to bring His message of hope to others. Paul reminds us that the law makes demands (“for the letter kills”), but that His Spirit makes a way to life.

The "letter" spoken of in out text is the law in its outward sense, written on tablets of stone. But the Spirit is given so that the law can be written internally, on our hearts. The law is discouraging because it constantly reminds us that we are guilty sinners before our holy God. The stone tablets Moses brought down from Mount Sinai charged men with treason against God, condemning even Moses himself. The law said murders were to be stoned to death, and that no sacrifice was sufficient for a guilty murderer like Moses or King David.

The law then acts as a ministry of death because no one can satisfy its demands on their own merit, and they are therefore condemned. Only the grace of God can transform lost sinners. Only God’s Spirit brings true life, not lists of rules. The sacrificial blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin, as Hosea said, “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, / And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” (Hos. 6:6). Therefore, the Old Testament prophets looked forward to the New Covenant, when the law of God would be written in our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33) and said, God would grant hearts of flesh to replace hearts of stone (Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:26).

We can see here that Paul doesn’t consider himself sufficient for the great task of changing lives for Jesus. Only God's Spirit is sufficient for such a big job. Charles Spurgeon wrote,  “Brethren, if Paul is not sufficient of himself, what are you and I?" The indwelling of the Spirit then becomes for us a law written on our hearts. He is in us to guide us and be our “law.” It isn’t that the Holy Spirit replaces the written law, but completes and fulfills the work of the written law in our hearts. The Spirit gives life, and with this spiritual life, we can live out the law of God.

The Truth: "For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." (Romans 7:5-6)

 

2 Corinthians 2 “Forgiveness And Restoration”

Sufficient for such a one (who had caused sorrow to the church) is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority. Now forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Therefore, I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.” (vv.5-8)

Church discipline can be controversial, but it's intended to bring about repentance and restoration. The Corinthians had responded to Paul's painful first letter requesting that a certain individual be disciplined (1 Cor. 5). Although the Corinthians had complied with Paul's request (2 Cor. 2:6), they were apparently having a hard time restoring the person who had been disciplined (v.7). So Paul urges them to reaffirm their love for him (v.8). 

When dealing with any type of misconduct, discipline is only one half of the coin; the other half must include forgiveness and love. Paul’s example here is powerful. Although he had probably been the one wronged, he took the lead in forgiveness and stressed the necessity of the restoration toward this individual. 

C. S. Lewis once said, “We all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it.” May that not be the case with us as individuals or as a church body. May we always reflect the love of Christ in this area of forgiveness and restoration. For failure to do so leaves an open door for an all-too-ready adversary. 

Is there someone in you life that needs your love, your forgiveness, and the restoration of your fellowship? If so, take Paul's example to heart - reaffirm your love to them and defeat Satan's hold against you both. 

The Truth: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

2 Corinthians 1 "God of All Comfort"

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (vv.3-4)

Paul opens this letter by praising the God who gives so much mercy and comfort to the apostle and all believers. As we read through this letter, we get the feeling that Paul knows the mercy and comfort of God on a first-hand basis.

Paul found real comfort in God and was able to comfort others because he experienced God’s faithfulness first hand. Being able to speak from experience has a tremendous power of immediately putting you on the same level with the person you are trying to help. This is the great purpose of God in comforting us, to enable us to bring comfort to others. Unfortunately many never receive the comfort God wants to give us through another person. Pride keeps us from revealing our needs to others, so we never receive the comfort God would give us through them.

Jesus expressed in John 16:33: In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Jesus who also suffered, is fully qualified to comfort us in our time of trial. (Hebrews 2:18) Even God Himself experienced the pain of watching His only Son beaten, whipped and nailed to a cross for us. So when we turn to Him and His Word, it has the power of comfort from His experience.

 Therefore, He is able to comfort us in all tribulation so that we in turn may comfort others.

The Truth: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

John 21 “The Restoration of Peter”

“Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” (vv.18-19)

Here Jesus spoke of Peter’s past, reminding him of his younger days when he had less responsibility and could do (more or less) as he pleased. Most of us know what these younger years were like. Jesus also spoke of Peter’s future, when another would bind him (gird you) and carry Peter to a place he would not want to go – a place with stretched out hands, crucified on a cross. It would be by this death he would glorify God. 

Ancient writers have documented that, about thirty-four years after this, Peter was crucified; and that he deemed it so glorious a thing to die for Christ that he begged to be crucified with his head downwards, not considering himself worthy to die in the same posture in which his Lord did. 

After speaking to Peter about his death, Jesus gave these last words to him, "Follow Me." Peter had followed Christ, but not continuously in the past. Scripture tells in Johns’ gospel that Peter even denied knowing Jesus three times shortly after His arrest in the garden, and he even went back to his former occupation of fishing. However he was later restored by Jesus at the Sea of Tiberias and called to follow steadfastly in the ways of the Lord and to Feed His Sheep (vv.15-25).

We too, despite our pasted, are to keep following Jesus. The command ‘Follow me’ is a present imperative, which literally means Keep on following me. Even though we may have denied Christ in the past, He knows His children - His Spirit calls us to repentance, and to keep following Him, giving our attention to; His Word, His calling, exhorting and serving others, and exercising the gifts God has given us. Then in so doing we like Peter become restored in Christ. 

Therefore, do not believe the lie from satan that you are too far from God, that you can never be restored. Like Peter you too can be restored, simply follow Him. 

The Truth: "Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:13-16)

Mark 16 “He Is Risen”

The Angel said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” (v.6-7)

Chapter 15 is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, the heart and soul of the Christian doctrine. In it we find many eye witnesses to this miraculous event and His ascension into heaven. No other religion, Buddhism, Hinduism, Muslim, Islam, has their faith grounded in their leader: dying for their sins, being raised from the dead, seen alive by many witnesses and then ascending into heaven – only Christianity. 

In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul records those who saw the risen Lord: “Christ was seen by Cephas (Peter), then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.”

Because Jesus’s disciples continued to testify of this, arrests, beatings and intimidation had become common to silence their message. Order was often maintained by the use of threats and torture. The early chapters of the book of Acts provide glimpses of the persecution of believers, even to the point of death, but the message remained. (see Foxes book of Martyrs) 

The Gospel of Luke records a significant change in this thinking involving Gamaliel, the rabbi who was Saul’s mentor. He wasn’t opposed to the persecution of believers, but he cautioned his fellow members of the Sanhedrin against killing Christians. He understood the power of martyrdom. 

Gamaliel said, “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – least you even be found to fight against God.” (Acts 5:38-39). 

This tactic of toleration may have kept many believers in Jerusalem and thus slowed down the process of taking the gospel to the world. But, Stephen’s and later James’ deaths eventually changed all of that. The fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 severed to scatter the church to the winds and the message with it.

Later, all of Christ’s disciples died violent deaths but not one ever denied their faith, proving Gamaliel was correct. Many other Christians throughout history have done the same, dying for the truth of Gods Word, not some cunningly designed fable – for the work of God, not man. 

Yes, He has Risen! Hallelujah!    

The Truth: “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:9-10)

John 19 "The Crucifixion Of Jesus"

"So he (Pilate) delivered Him (Jesus) to them (the chief priests) to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away.” (John 19:16)

After being betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter, delivered to Pilate (who found no fault in Him at all but had Him scourged anyway). After being mocked by the roman soldiers, crowned with a crown of thorns and beaten while being blindfolded, Pilate had Jesus brought out from the Praetorium (where these actions had taken place) and said to the chief priests and officers, "You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him" (v.6). 

Death by Roman crucifixion was a result of the whole body weight being supported by the stretched 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 draw himself up by his feet to allow for inflation of the lungs enduring terrible pain in his feet and legs. The pain in the feet and legs would become so unbearable, that the victim was forced to trade breathing for pain and eventually die of suffocation. The length of time required to die from crucifixion could range from hours to a number of days.

The punishment of Roman crucifixion was chiefly inflicted on slaves and the worst kind of criminals. Crucifixion was considered a most shameful and disgraceful way to die and condemned Roman citizens were usually exempt from crucifixion. The manner and process of crucifixion was that after the criminal had been scourged and sentence had been pronounced, he carried his cross to the place of execution, which was just outside the city. (John 19:17) The criminal was next stripped of his clothes and nailed or bound to the cross. Before the nailing to the cross took place, a medicated cup of vinegar mixed with gall and myrrh (the sopor) was given, for the purpose of deadening the pangs of the sufferer. (Mark 15:23)

Roman Crucifixion was typically carried out by specialized teams, consisting of a commanding centurion and four soldiers. It was common to leave the body on the cross after death. However, it sometimes became necessary to break the legs of the criminal (as mentioned of the thieves in the Gospels) because Jewish law expressly forbid bodies to remain on the cross during the Sabbath day. Jesus died this death for you and for me, that we might have forgiveness of sin - through His atonement. 

So why is today called "Good Friday" instead of "Bad Friday" or something similar? Because the suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the dramatic culmination of God's plan to save His people from their sin. The Law required a blood sacrifice for sin, so God poured out His wrath against sin on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, in order that forgiveness and salvation would be possible for all nations. Jesus endure the cross on "Good Friday" knowing it would lead to our salvation, His resurrection, and the fulfillment of God's plan of redemption. Good Friday marks the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross, but the best is yet to come, as Jesus would rise from the dead and conquer death for us all. 

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)

Mark 15 "By His Stripes We Are Healed"

"So, Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified." (v.15)

The Romans would, according to custom, scourge a condemned criminal before he was put to death. The Roman scourge, also called the "flagrum" or "flagellum" was a short whip made of two or three leather (ox-hide) thongs or ropes connected to a handle. The leather thongs were knotted with a number of small pieces of metal, zinc, iron or heavy indented pieces of bronze. Bone was often added to help rip off the skin. Sometimes the Roman scourge contained a hook at the end and was given the terrifying name "scorpion."

The criminal was lashed to a flogging post which would help the "lictors" make deeper cuts into the shoulders, waist and legs. According to Jewish law (discipline of the synagogue) the number of stripes was forty less one (Deut. 25:3) however, scourging among the Romans was a more severe form of punishment and there was no legal limit to the number of blows, as with the Jews.

Deep lacerations, torn flesh, exposed muscles and excessive bleeding would leave the criminal "half-dead." Death was often the result of this cruel form of punishment though it was necessary to keep the criminal alive to be brought to public subjugation on the cross. Therefore, the Centurion in charge would order the "lictors" to halt the flogging when the criminal was near death.

The severe scourging of Jesus (1 Peter 2:24), with its intense pain and appreciable blood loss, most probably left Him in a pre-shock state. The physical and mental abuse meted out by the Jews and the Romans, as well as the lack of food, water, and sleep, also contributed to His generally weakened state. Therefore, even before the actual crucifixion, Jesus' physical condition was at the very least serious and possibly critical. (Isaiah 50:6)

After the scourging, the Roman soldiers began to mock him by placing a robe on his shoulders, a crown of thorns on his head, and a wooden staff as a scepter in his right hand. Next, they spat on Jesus and struck him on the head with the wooden staff which made Him, unrecognizable. (Isaiah 52:14)

This voluntary, loving act was only the beginning of the pain He would endure for us, as the cross still awaited Him.

The Truth: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." - (Isaiah 53:5-6) 

Mark 15 "Playing To The Crowd"

Here in chapter 15 of the book of Mark,  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)

The Coming King - Palm Sunday

 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9)

Here the prophet Zechariah describes the 1st coming of Jesus over 500 years before it occurred. He correctly refers to Him as, "having salvation." Therefore, when Jesus did enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey, as prophesied, the people cried, "Hosanna!" or, literally, "Save now!" (Matthew 21:9). They were hoping Jesus had come to save them from the Roman government and establish His kingdom on earth now.

As Jesus drew near to the city Luke's gospel tells us "He wept," because the people did not know the scriptures well enough to understand the reason for His first coming (v.41-44), and those who did (scribes, chief priests Pharisees) were scheming to kill Him out of fear and jealousy. As news of His arrest and interrogation became public, and His expected kingship here on earth began to fade, many of those same people who cried "Hosanna" were now crying, "Crucify Hm."

While the Jews were looking for a savior to liberate them from Roman rule, the purpose for Jesus' first coming was to die for the sins of the world, to be the perfect sacrifice for you and for me. Though many are still looking for Messiah, may we not miss the fact and purpose of His first coming, because His second coming will be much different.

The Truth

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

1 Samuel 2 "The Sign And The Promise"

 “Now this shall be a sign to you that will come upon your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die, both of them. Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever. And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and say, ‘Please, put me in one of the priestly positions, that I may eat a piece of bread.’” (vv.34-36)

Now this shall be a sign to you: Since the fulfillment of the judgment would be many years away (in the days of Solomon), God gave Eli an immediate sign to demonstrate His truthfulness. Eli’s sons will die in one day; Eli will see this and know the judgment of God has come against his house. 

Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest: Who is the faithful priest predicted here? He was a great priest, because he did according to what is in [God’s] heart and in [God’s] mind. He was a blessed priest because God said of him, I will build him a sure house, and he will walk before My anointed forever. The promise was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ because He is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:12-17).

The chapter ends with the prophetic statement by the man of God to Eli, "Everyone who is left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver." This is a fitting judgment since much of the sin of Eli’s sons was greed and stealing from God’s people. Instead of receiving the priestly portions that were rightfully theirs, Eli’s family would one day be reduced to begging. The house of Eli would be left powerless and without strength, and the priestly line would pass to another line of descendants from Aaron.