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.~