Lesson 4261

(Lesson 4261)(09-30-23) 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, after being asked by who’s authority He preached, Jesus challenged the scribes and elders of the Jews to first verify their belief, or non-belief, in the teachings of John the Baptist or in, as Jesus described it, his “baptism”. Was John’s message from God or was it merely John’s own idea. They could not answer, and therefore, Jesus refused to answer them.

    There is another lesson that should be taken from the quote. That being the fact that the “baptism” of John, as it is often referred to in the New Testament, is NOT, necessarily, just the physical act of immersion in water. The phrase “the baptism of John” also is a referrence to the message that John brough from God.

    It is important to remember that we should determine the intent of that phrase by the context within which it is applied in the scriptures.~

NOTE: I will explain that difference further in future lessons wherein the difference in intent of that phrase can alter the intent of the entire lesson.

Lesson 4260

(Lesson 4260)(09-29-23) Mark 11:19-25

    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.”

     Today’s quote teaches a lesson of faith. Jesus clearly stated that, if we have sufficient faith, whatsoever we might need, or want, can be ours through prayer. “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

    What a wonderful Master we serve!~

NOTE: I apologize for my failure to post a lesson for the last few days, but I had may left eye surgery on the 27th. and couldn’t see. I’ll try to do better. 

Lesson 4259

 (Lesson 4259)(09-26-23) 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 shows how Jesus despised those hypocrites who will use their religion as a means to make money.~

Lesson 4258

 (Lesson 4258)(09-25-23) Mark 11:12-14

    “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.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus cursed a fig tree for not bearing fruit when clearly figs were not in season, “for the time of figs was not yet”. 

    I know there is a hidden lesson in what Jesus did, but I have, as yet, not been able to find it. I do wonder if it is somehow related to the difference between Judaism and Christianity? Just a thought.~

Lesson 4257

 (Lesson 4257)(09-23-23) Mark 11:1-11

    “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. 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.”

    Today’s quote relates how Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem to the praises of the people. After He had surveyed the temple and the surroundings, Jesus returned to “Bethany” with His apostles.~

Lesson 4256

 (Lesson 4256)(09-22-23) Mark 10:46-52

    “ 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.”

    Today’s quote tells us that Jesus, because of Bartimaeus’ faith, gave him the miracle of sight.

This lesson tells us, again, that if only we have sufficient faith, we can have whatever we want so long as it is within the will of God to give.~

Lesson 4255

 (Lesson 4255)(09-21-23) Mark 10:41-45

    “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 today’s quote, Jesus made it clear that there was to be NO unlimate authority among His apostles. That lesson applies to all of us in the church. Jesus said He came to serve, not to be served. His ultimate goal was to give His own perfect, sinfree life as atonement for the sins of ALL who will come to believe in Him. What a wonderful Savior we serve.~

Lesson 4254

 (Lesson 4254)(09-20-23) Mark 10:35-40

    “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.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus denied the sons of Zebedee the request that they had made to sit beside Him, on either side, is His “glory”.

    There is another very important lesson in that quote that concerns the usage of the word “baptize” and it’s grammatical variations.

    In the quote, Jesus referred to His, soon to come, death, burial and resurrection, as a “baptism”. That term “baptism”, as it is applied in the quote, was transliterated from the Greek word ‘baptizo’ from which the word ‘baptize’, as is applied in many other New Testament passages referring to water immersion was also transliterated. (Transliteration is the act of transcribing a ‘sound-alike’ word from one language to a completely different language without providing either the ultimate definition of the word, or it’s intent.) 

    In the ancient Greek language, the word ‘baptizo’ simply meant to place one item, or substance, into another and leaving it there for the purpose of transforming that item of substance into a substantially different (transformed) item, or substance.

    To get to the point I’m trying to make, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus was, in the intended Greek, a transformation of Jesus, the human man, into a glorified, perfect heavenly body that was alien to any human design.~

    The point being that today most “Christian” people relate the word ‘baptism’ to water immersion. Today’s quote clearly demonstrates that that word has at least two entirely different meanings depending upon the context within which they are applied. ~

    Note: The intent of my commentary will become more understandable as we go through the upcoming lessons. 

Notice (9/14/23

 I have just yesterday had cataract surgery and won't be able to post the daily lesson until I get my eyes bacd to normal. Please bear with me. It shouldn't be long until I can resume the lessons. Thank you all.~

Lesson 4253

 (Lesson 4253)(09-13-23) 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.”

    Today’s quote relates that Jesus, again, foretold His apostles of His, soon to come, death, burial and glorious resurrection.~

Lesson 4252

 (Lesson 4252)(09-12-23) 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, in essence said that those who follow Him will, no doubt, suffer “persecutions”; However, those who abandon all else to follow Him, will also have all the things in life that make them happy.~

Lesson 4251

(Lesson 4251)(09-11-23) Mark 10:26-27

    “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 lesson should actually be a part of yesterday’s. Therein, Jesus explained why it is possible for the rich to be eternally saved in spite of their wealth. That is because with God, ALL things are possible. Therefore, if a rich person puts his/her faith in the virgin born life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, that person WILL be eternally saved, be he/she rich or poor.~ 

Lesson 4250

 (Lesson 4250)(09-10-23) Mark 10:19-25

    “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.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus related how hard it is for a rich person to give up their wealth to seek the amazing saving grace of God.

    Jesus used the metaphor that, “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.” 

    When Jesus applied that metaphor, I believe the “needle” He referred to was the small night gate through the wall of Jerusalem. Although it could be done, it was almost impossible for a camel to walk through that gate. 

    The “needle gate” was made small for security reasons. Having that information allows the metaphor to make sense because it is possible for the rich to be saved, but, sadly, few will abandon the worship of their wealth to make time for Jesus.~

Lesson 4249

(Lesson 4249)(09-09-23) Mark 10:17-18

    “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.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus said, “there is NONE good but one, that is, God.” That statement flies directly in the face of those who contend that one must live above sin after (supposedly) trusting in Christ. 

    Jesus included Himself in the “none” group. He, even being the only begotten Son of God,  could not call Himself good, because, He too, had the curse of Adam’s sin inborn in Him from the humanity of Mary, His mother.

    In living a perfect, sin free, life and carrying His own innate condemnation to the grave, Jesus also buried the innate sin and condemnation of all those who will come to believe in Him.

    What an awesome Lord we serve.~ 

 (Lesson 4248)(09-08-23) 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 explained that we, the children of God, are to teach the young just as we would the adults.

    In the quote, Jesus, speaking of the kingdom of God, also made a statement that has been misinterpreted by many. Jesus Said, “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God AS A LITTLE CHILD, he shall not enter therein.” 

    That statement DOES NOT mean that one must be saved at a young age, it simply means that those who come to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ must do so with the innocent and open mind of a child. ~ 

 (Lesson 4247)(09-07-23) 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.”

 

    Today’s quote relates the meaning and intent of a Godly marraige between a man and a woman. 

    Jesus explained that marriage between a man and a woman creates a union that literally folds two separate individuals into one, for life. It also explains the penalty for adulterous violation of that union as being a sin against the innocent.~

Lesson 4246

 (Lesson 4246)(09-06-23) 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.”

    Today’s quote makes it very clear to those with wavering faith, that NO, either physical or material, obsession will be allowed to stand before ones faith in Jesus. In order to attain justification of ALL sin, and therefore eternal salvation, one must have ABSOLUTE faith in the virgin born life, death, burial, ressurection and ascension of Jesus.

    If a part of one’s faith is in some physical act, such as water baptism, that one has a split faith and CANNOT have absolute faith in the blood of Jesus.~

Lesson 4245

 (Lesson 4245)(09-05-23) Mark 9:33-42

    “And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. 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. 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 verifies that we, the children of God, cannot turn our backs on ANYONE who is attempting to do the will of God through Jesus Christ. We are to honor them no matter their social standing or whether or not they might choose to do things differently than us.

    God’s plan for the eternal salvation of mankind through faith in Jesus, was, and is, extented to EVERY human being, no matter their stripes.~

Lesson 4244

 (Lesson 4244)(09-04-23) 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.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus again told His apostles that He would be turned over to the Jewish hierarchy and killed only to rise again the third day. The apostles didn’t understand what Jesus was talking about but were afraid to ask.

    The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus was necessary to “justify” the sins of all who will put their faith in Him.~

Lesson 4243

 (Lesson 4243)(09-03-23) 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 is a bit confusing to me. Therein, Jesus, referring to the evil spirt that He had just removed from a man, supposedly said, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”

     I worship an Omnipotent God. I believe Jesus, being God in the body of a man, did not require “prayer and fasting” to remove that demon. I don’t understand the seeming conflict. I will write it off asuming that the author of the book of Mark misinterpreted the conversation.~

Lesson 4242

 (Lesson 4242)(09-02-23) 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.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus healed a man with an evil spirit that, for lack of sufficient faith, His apostles were unable to accomplish.

    The lesson therein, is that we who believe with absolute faith can accomplish anything.~

Lesson 4241

 (Lesson 4241)(09-01-23) Mark 9:10-13

    “And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. 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 quote, Jesus verifed that Elias had already come and the Jews had rejected him.~