Lesson 3316

 (Lesson 3316)(01-31-21) Mark 11:27-33

    “And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

    In today’s quote, as Jesus demonstrated that the leadership of the Jews was in no position to challenge His authority to clear the temple of the money changers, He used the phrase, “the baptism of John” to define the message that John had taught. 

    Those who believe that water batpism is a prerequisite to a rebirth in Jesus Christ which leads to eternal salvation of the soul, should take special note of the intent of that usage. 

    The word “baptism”, as it is applied in today’s quote, was transliterated from a gramatik variation of the Greek root word, ‘baptizo’, as was the same word “baptism” when is was applied in John’s usage to describe an immersion into water. Therefore, the phrase, “the baptism of John”, is clearly a reference to the message that John taught, NOT the water immersions he oversaw. That fact is made evident in today’s quote when Jesus asked “why did you not believe him?” 

    One who has witnessed a physical act, such as water immersion, as did those Jewish leaders, CANNOT disbleive that act. Conversely, one can easily disbelieve a particular lesson that is being taught.

    In summary, today’s lesson is further proof that the transliterated variations of the word “baptize” do not automatically refer to water immersion, but rather, the reference made by the usage is determined by the context within which that usage is applied.~

Lesson 3315

 (Lesson 3315)(01-30-21) Mark 11:19-26

    “And when even was come, he went out of the city. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

    As was mentioned earlier, when Jesus cursed the fig tree, He was demonstrating what total faith would allow a believer to do. 

    As Peter noted when they walked back past the fig tree he could see that the tree had withered and died. When Jesus heard what Peter had said, He, in essence said that just as he had cause the fig tree to die by simply desiring it to do so, His true and faithful followers could also command that anything be done, having absolute faith, it would be done. 

    What an awesome power if we would only take advantage of it. The ONLY thing that stops those of us who have been born again by the Spirit of God from having everything we might ever desire, is the weakness of our faith.~ 

Lesson 3314

 (Lesson 3314)(01-29-21) Mark 11:15-18

    “And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.”

    Today’s quote relates that after Jesus cleared the money changers and sacrifice merchants out of the temple, the chief priests of the Jews set about to destroy Him. 

    NOTE: In yesterday’s lesson I wrote that today’s lesson would clarify why Jesus cursed the fig tree. That was a mistake on my part, that clarification will be a part of tomorrow’s lesson. I’m sorry for the error and will try to do better. ~

Lesson 3313

 (Lesson 3313)(01-28-21) Mark 11:11-14

    “And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.”

    Today’s lesson tells us that as Jesus walked by, He cursed a fig tree so that it would never again bear fruit. The point of Jesus having cursed the tree was to teach His apostles a lesson on faith. That lesson will become evident in tomorrow’s quote.~

Lesson 3312

 (Lesson 3312)(01-27-21) Mark 11:1-10

    “And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.”

    Today’s quote relates how Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem as His followers praised His arrival.~

Lesson 3311

 (Lesson 3311)(01-26-21) Mark 10:46-5

    “And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus declared that, because of his faith, “blind Bartimaeus” received his sight. Another miracle performed by our Savior.~

Lesson 3310

 (Lesson 3310)(01-25-21) Mark 10:35-45

    “ And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

    In the first part of today’s quote, John and James asked a favor of Jesus that He would not grant. Jesus also made the point, again, that there are to be NO superiors in the house of the Lord.

    It is important to note that the words “baptized” and “baptism”, as they are applied in today’s quote, are not at all in reference to a ritual that includes immersion into water. Those words were applied in the quote to describe the ordeal of the death, burial and resurrection that Jesus was about to endure as He would complete His divine mission to become a perfect savior for those who will believe in Him. 

    We should also note that the words “baptism” and “baptized” were both transliterated from the Greek root word ‘baptizo’. The above usage of those words is a perfect example demonstrating that the the greek word ‘baptizo’ DOES NOT specifically designate water as the only medium into which one may be “bapized”, (Immersed). 

    The baptism that brings about a rebirth of the spirit of a man or woman, is a willful immersion into the Spirit of Jesus Christ Himself, through faith, where it will remain throughout eternity, and has nothing to do with water immersion.~

Lesson 3309

 (Lesson 3309)(01-24-21) Mark 10:32-34

    “And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus told His apostles how he would be taken by the Jewish hierarchy and offered up to the Romans to be crucified. 

    So sad as the crucifixion of Jesus was, it was necessary so that you and me may enjoy eternal life through faith in that same Jesus.~

Lesson 3308

 (Lesson 3308)(01-23-21) Mark 10:28-31

    “Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus promised that those who will abandon all else, and who are willing to take up and follow His gospel, will  be rewarded with the many good things of life and in the end, an eternity with God in heaven.~

Lesson 3307

 (Lesson 3307)(01-22-21) Mark 10:17-27

    “ And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, 

Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

    Today’s quote relates how Jesus answered the man who asked, ‘what shall I do to inherit eternal life’. 

    Jesus, knowing that the man would be unable to do it, told him that if he wanted to be perfect before God within the law, he must sell everything he owned and distribute the gains to the poor. 

    At the beginning of their conversation, Jesus asked the man why he had called Him (Jesus) good, saying there is NONE good but God. 

    This is very important to note. By telling that man that there is NONE good but God, Jesus made the point that there is NOTHING mankind can physically do to become perfect so much so as to inherit eternal life. The ONLY righteousness that can guarantee a spiritual rebirth, and eventually eternal life, is that righteousness borne out by Jesus Christ (God) that is imputed into the spirit of every person who will place his/her faith in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of that same Jesus Christ.~

Lesson 3306

 (Lesson 3306)(01-21-21) Mark 10:13-16

    “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus related that His invitation to receive the gift of God’s amazing grace, extends to everyone, including children.

    There is, however, another lesson in today’s quote that is often overlooked or misinterpreted. Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” That quote is a part of foundation for the erroneous Roman Catholic contention that all children must be ceremonially “Christened” with a smattering of water shortly after birth.

    What Jesus said DOES NOT mean that one MUST be born again as a child to inherit eternal life. It simply meant that believing children cannot be denied their belief in Jesus as Savior. ANY person at ANY time can surrender themselves to Christ, through faith, and gain a soul saving spiritual rebirth.~

Lesson 3305

 (Lesson 3305)(01-20-21) Mark 10:1-12

    “And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus made it vividly clear that marriage is sacred union in the eyes of God and to break that bond by divorce is a sin. 

    There are other New Testament references to divorce that vary from Mark’s account of what Jesus commanded pertaining to divorce, but they all agree in general. 

    According to Jesus, a man and a woman who are bound together by marriage are no longer two individual spirits, the two are made one spirit before God. I have not found scripture that allows that single spirit to be split back into two individuals, other than Moses’ original writ of devorcement, which in today’s quote, Jesus denied.~

Lesson 3304

 (Lesson 3304)(01-19-21) Mark 9:43-50

    “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.”

    The first part of today’s quote is a metaphor and not to be taken literally. By applying the metaphor, Jesus told us that whatever things we confront in our lives that might keep us from our duties as the born again children of God, and as keepers of the ministry of Jesus Christ, should avioded and done away. In other words, we are to keep ourselves away from those things that might lead us away from Jesus Christ.

    In the last part of the quote, Jesus, applying another metaphor, related that all we do will be tried by “fire” (exposed), while we will also be given the power (salt) of faith to overcome anything that might stand in our path. ~

Lesson 3303

 (Lesson 3303)(01-18-21) Mark 9:41-42

    “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.”

    Today’s quote tells us that even though one might not have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ, if that one, in any way, supports the ministry of Christ, he/she will receive a blessing for his/her actions.

    The quote also tells us that we are to faithfully invite and accept the spiritual testimony of a child who believes in Jesus, just as if we would for an adult. The kingdom of God is open to all those who will believe in Jesus Christ, no matter their heritage or age.~

Lesson 3302

 (Lesson 3302)(01-17-21) Mark 9:38-40

    “And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.”

   Today’s quote established that those who have enough faith so as to perform miracles in the name of Jesus Christ, no matter what they call themselves, are also to be regarded as followers of Christ.~ 

Lesson 3255

 (Lesson 3255)(01-15-21) Mark 9:30-32

     And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.”

    As Jesus passed secretly through Galilee, He told His disciples that He would soon be killed; After which, He would rise again on the third day, fulfilling His divine mission to offer a spiritual, soul saving rebirth to all those who would come to believe in Him.~

Lesson 3254

 (Lesson 3254)(01-14-21) Mark 9:28-29    

    “And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”

    Today’s quote contains an anomaly that is confusing at best. Therein, Jesus is said to have stated that a certain “dumb spirit” could only be cast out through prayer and fasting”. We should make note that Jesus is the Son of God, a human man who had within Him ALL the power of God. He was never required to do anything to create a miracle other than to will it. In fact, Jesus IS the omnipotent God able to accomplish anything with His will. 

    Therefore, today’s quote makes no rational sense at all. I believe the quote was added to the text by the Roman Catholic church so as to allow the acts of man tod seemingly be interwoven with the power of God for reasons of appearance. That is evident seeing that for every act committed by Roman Catholic church there is a pompous ceremonial ritual that draws attention away from the power of God toward those who are performing it. ~

Lesson 3253

 (Lesson 3253)(01-13-21) Mark 9:14-27

    “And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.”

    Today’s quote reveals the weak faith of even those closest to Jesus, His chosen apostles. Jesus referred to them as a “faithless generation”. 

    Sadly, we today, suffer from that same weakness of faith. Jesus promised that we can do anything if we have sufficient faith. Matthew 17:20 in part, “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to younder place, and it shall remove; and NOTHING shall be impossible unto  you.”

    What a wonderfully powerful promise.~

Lesson 3252

 (Lesson 3252)(01-12-21) Mark 9:11-13

    “And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.”

    In today’s lesson, Jesus accounted Himself as being the return of Elias as was prophesied.~

Lesson 3251

 (Lesson 3251)(01-11-21) Mark 9:1-10

    “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.”

    Today’s quote relates that Jesus took Peter, James and John to a mountain top where He was transformed into His glorified body while meeting with Moses and Elias. So far as I know, the subject of their conversation between Jesus, Moses and Elias, doesn’t seem to exist.

    I’m not sure I understand the significance of this scripture. If some of you can better explain it, I’m all ears.~

Lesson 3250

 (Lesson 3250)(01-10-21) Mark 8:34-38

    “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever 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 cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

    In today’s lesson, Jesus made it clear that we are either for Him or Against Him. He explained that those who are too embarrassed to stand up for Him will be without Him in the judgment. Let us all forever shout out the name of my lord Jesus Christ and spread the good news of His amazing, saving grace.~

Lesson 3249

 (Lesson 3249)(01-09-21) Mark 8:31-33

    “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.”

    In today’s quote, after telling His apostles of the events that were soon to occur, Peter challenged Jesus, declaring that he (Peter) would not stand for the Jews laying hands on Jesus to crucify Him. Jesus then said, “Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.”

    We should remember that the same Peter, whom Jesus just called “Satan”, is the man the Roman Catholics have said was the father of the church. I’ll say this, there IS NO father of the church by Jesus Christ Himself.~

Lesson 3293

 (Lesson 3293)(01-08-21) Mark 8:27-32

    “And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.”

    In today’s quote, Peter acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God.~

Lesson 3292

 (Lesson 3292)(01-07-21) Mark 8:22-26

     And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.” 

    In my opinion, today’s quote is not AT ALL representative of the true power of Jesus Christ. I believe there were needless embellishments made to Mark’s account of the actual events of that day.

    Mark’s account of that day’s events leaves the impression that Jesus was unable to repair the blind man’s sight with His first try, making it necessary for Jesus to make a second attempt. To me, that notion is simply silly and beyond reason. It DOES NOT take two attempts for Jesus to get it right. 

    We are all certainly entitled to our own opinion, but I cannot accept Mark’s account of that miracle as being an accurate one. 

    John chapter nine relates a similar action, but DOES NOT imply that Jesus failed with His first attempt to heal the man. ~

Lesson 3291

 (Lesson 3291)(01-06-21) Mark 8:14-21

    “ Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?”

   Today’s quote relates that when Jesus told His apostles to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod”, they had no clue what He meant. 

    The reaction of the apostles precisely demonstrates how today’s “Christians” can so easily get thrown off course and attempt to encorprate all manner of heretical nonsense into the gospel of Jesus.

    Understanding the teachings of Jesus takes focus and constant study. That’s what we hope to accomplish with these lessons so that we all understand what Jesus intended.

    In this lesson, Jesus was warning his followers that Herod and the Pharisees would be trying to destroy everything that they might accomplish. Thank God they weren’t sucessful. ~

Lesson 3290

 (Lesson 3290)(01-05-21) Mark 8:10-13

    “And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.”

    Today’s lesson relates that, even after Jesus had worked many miracles of healing, the Jews still rejected Him and asked Jesus to show them a sign. Jesus said, “There shall no sign be given to this gereration”. 

Lesson 3289

 (Lesson 3289)(01-04-21) Mark 8:1-9

    “ In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.”

   Today’s quote relates the miracle of the, in this account, seven loaves and two fishes. Mark’s account of the miracle disagrees with the Matthew account of this same event, in that in the Matthew account there were only five loaves and the two fishes. 

    There are several such minor disagreements in the different narratives of the four gospels. The most inportant thing to take away from it is that the miracle actually happened, the minor details are not important to the overall lesson. ~

Lesson 3288

 (Lesson 3288)(01-03-21) Mark 7:31-37

    “ And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.”

    Today’s quote relates how Jesus opened the ears of a deaf man causing the news of His divine healing, along with other miracles that He did, to be spread all throughout the land.~

Lesson 3287

 (Lesson 3287)(01-02-21) Mark 7:24-30

    “ And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.”

    Today’s quote relates that, because of her obvious faith, Jesus removed a devil from the daughter of a Gentile (Greek) woman.

     He performed the miracle only after telling the woman that, being a Gentile, she should be last in line behind the Jews. 

    Remember, the ministry of both John the Baptist, Jesus and the twelve apostles, was to educate ONLY the Jews about the new law of rebirth by faith in Jesus Christ Himself. They were NOT to preach to the Gentiles: “These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them, saying, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not.” (Matthew 10:5)~

Lesson 3286

 (Lesson 3286)(01-01-21) Mark 7:1-23

    “Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

    The overall lesson that is to be taken from today’s quote, is that the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, just like the majority of today’s religious sects, chose to highlight and inforce the least and most insignificant of God’s laws so as to make themselves appear holy, while virtually ignoring the, more difficult, substantive laws such as demonstrating compassion and fair judgment.

    A perfect example of today’s hypocrisy is the insistance that every child of God be in the church house every time the doors swing instead of taking the good news of God’s amazing grace to the places where the lost can actually be found. Jesus took His message to those who needed to hear it. He did not insist that they come to meet Him in the socially accepted places or in the socially accepted condigion, dress, or manner. 

    Although it’s scripturally obvious that the children of God SHOULD DEFINITELY keep in touch with one another in order to encourage and learn from each other, there is only scriptural passage that gives ANY creedence to the erroneous notion that every child of God should meet together on a constant given schedule. That scripture is Hebrews 10, 23-25, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: NOT FORSAKING the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” 

    I AM NOT contending that Christian people should not assemble themselves together, I’m simply saying that assembly should NOT take precedence over ALL the other scriptural obligations that Jesus expected of those of us who believe in Him.”

    “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 ~