Monthly Archives: March 2019

Traditions of Men

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The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” Mark 7:5

Jesus was eating with his disciples when the Pharisees were quick to condemn them because some of them were eating with dirty hands. The Pharisees were probably waiting for this moment, to find something to condemn “the Christians” for, however Jesus is going to turn this into a teaching moment for them

And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’  Mark 7:6-7

Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah, to show these guys God already foretold about them. While these men believed they were in the “God club” , God was not impressed with them at all. Why? Because their hearts were not pure.

Instead of Loving God and Love Your Neighbor as God commanded us, they tried to earn their salvation by works. This was a moral issue and not a legal issue, like they believed

“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” Mark 7:8

The Pharisees neglected the basic laws of God, they elevated themselves through traditions. Jesus used the example of “Honor your Mother and Father” (Mark 7:10) The Pharisees claim to be righteous yet don’t even care for their own parents, even though the Mosaic Law says they should be put to death for disobeying this Law (Leviticus 20:9)

The Pharisees created a tradition called “Corban” ( Mark 7:11) which they believed vainly overrode Gods Law. The Pharisees would keep money for themselves , which they labeled “Corban, instead of providing for their elderly parents because they wanted a greater status among men.

Jesus is telling them their tradition doesn’t honor God, in fact it breaks Gods Law. So before we go around condemning people, what are our intentions? Are we just trying to be legalist or is there a moral issue going on here?

Remember Jesus commanded us to Love God with all our mind, hearts, and soul and to Love our Neighbor as ourselves, this fulfills all the Laws of God Amen!

5 Loaves + 2 Fish

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But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?” Mark 6:37

The disciples had a dilemma, send all the people home or spend a years salary to feed them. The answer was pretty simple for the disciples, especially since none of them had any money! So they started telling the people to all go home, but Jesus said “You give them something to eat!”

The disciples were probably thinking , how are they going to give 5,000 people something to eat! They had very little food for themselves, very little money, it was getting dark in a remote location. By our practical standards this was turning into a bad situation.

And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Mark 6:38

Jesus asked them “What do you have?” Meaning instead of complaining about what they didn’t have, use what they did have and allow God to bless it. We can relate to this as Christians, we focus on what we don’t have and not on what we have already to offer God

And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. Mark 6:41

Jesus took what they did have, which was 5 loaves and 2 fish , and blessed it. God then multiplied what they had and used it to bless all the people. Whatever we have , we should give thanks to God and allow him to bless it and use it for his glory!

Don’t allow your circumstances or lack of resources prohibit you from serving God Amen!

On A Tree

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“If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, Deuteronomy 21:22

Why did Jesus have to die on a cross? This is probably the first question that comes to mind when you first discover Jesus. To understand this, you first need to understand Sin and its consequences. Under the Moral Law of God, the wages of sin is death.

The penalty to be hung on a tree was fulfilled when Christ was crucified to the cross. Jesus took your place on that tree!

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; Romans 3:23-24

We are all guilty of Sin, breaking Gods Moral Law, and the penalty for that Sin is death. However because God is full of Love and Mercy, Jesus took our place and became our atoning sacrifice for our Sins. Because of his atonement, we are justified before God, this gift from God is called Grace

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5

Jesus became Flesh, born of Mary, born Under The Law. Even though Jesus committed no sin, he bore the penalty for our sins. In order for Jesus to Fulfill The Law (Matthew 5:17) he has to be Under The Law. Because Christ defeated Sin and death and rose after 3 days, we can now be Children of God Amen!

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)

Shake The Dust

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“Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” Mark 6:11

People like to make other people believe their worldview. This is human nature, we believe and are passionate about something, so we think everyone should believe this. If you don’t believe me, go on Facebook and read the never ending debates between people about anything you can think of.

As Christians we often fall into this trap also, we obviously want everyone to get saved and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but sometimes its not going to happen. There were people who actually witnessed miracles performed by Jesus and still rejected him. Some people are never going to accept Christ

So what do we do about this? Jesus instructed his disciples when the gospel is rejected to “Shake the Dust Off Their Feet” meaning Move On. You cant force anyone to be a Christian. Accepting Jesus as your personal Lord is a personal decision.

They went out and preached that men should repent. Mark 6:12

Keep it simple, Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ! If they reject it move on, simple as that. We personally don’t save anyone, only God can save people. Its our job to preach his message and be his hands and feet.

And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them. Mark 6:13

 The first century Church was powered by the Holy Spirit, not Facebook. They were doing the works of God not worrying about social activities and budgets. If people are serious about their salvation they will take you serious.