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Author Archives: Unashamed of Jesus
Mark 12- The Widows Offering
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: Mark 12:41-43
One thing you should start to understand from Jesus’ teachings, is that our relationship with God is about our heart. That is why the Proverb says “Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverb 4:23) When the Bible talks about the Heart, its not talking about the physical organ in our body, its talking about the center core of our being.
Here we see a poor old widow, who has basically nothing in this world physically, but she gave all that she had to God. Why? Because she understands that money and possessions are not going to save your soul. As Jesus said “What does it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your soul”? (Mark 8:36) This widow was poor by Earthly standards, but was rich by Gods standards
Jesus was very impressed with the widow’s faith to give all she had to God, and rely on God to supply her needs. Remember a widow back in this time, couldn’t get a job. Women in the first century were reliant upon a husband or family member to provide for them. By this widow giving all she had, she could potentially starve to death and be homeless. How many of us demonstrate this faith to God?
For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark 12:44
While all the religious men lined up to give their tithe, to demonstrate to people how honorable they were, Jesus was not impressed. Why? Because these men didn’t love God with all their heart, mind, and soul. They were just checking off another box on their list. This widow loved God more than she loved her own life. She gave it all to him, and it pleased The Lord so well he esteemed her higher than all the religious men in the synagogue.
Who holds your heart? What do you love so much that you could never give it away to God? Anything we put ahead of God is idolatry. To gain the world will only be temporary, but the Kingdom of God is eternal Amen!
We Believe
Mark 12- Son of God
And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. Mark 12:35-36
One of the great mysteries or revelations was foretold by David via The Holy Spirit. One of the mysteries is “How can the Son of God also be the Son of David”? The line of David is revealing Jesus’ human side along with his deity. As we know from the scriptures, the Messiah had to die for our sins, in order for the Son of God to die, he must first become human. This is why the incarnation is such a glorious event
Israel didn’t understand the incarnation of the Messiah. They believed the Messiah would just be a human, a mighty political warrior like David. However the Messiah was much more than that, God manifested in the flesh. So how can the Son of God also be the Son of David? If you read the genealogies from Matthew and Luke, it explains Mary and Joseph were from the line of David. Even though the Messiah was conceived by the Holy Spirit, the womb of Mary was human. What a marvelous mystery!
David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly. Mark 12:37
Jesus reveals “David himself addresses the Messiah as Lord, demonstrating that David is not talking about himself” David was revealing a prophecy about the Messiah, that the Son of God will sit at the right hand of the Father, does that sound familiar?
Peter reveals in Acts 2, David again prophesied about the Messiah (Psalm 16) The Holy One will not see decay, however as Peter addressed David was dead and buried for many years. (Acts 2:29) Demonstrating that David was not foretelling about himself but he was prophesying about Jesus, who rose from the dead on the 3rd day!
There are over 300 Messianic prophecies throughout the Old Testament that all were fulfilled by Jesus , Amen!
Mark 12- The Greatest Commandment
And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:28-31
Once again Jesus was tested and challenged by the religious leaders. They asked Jesus “What is the greatest commandment”? This is obviously a trick question they tried to trap Jesus in saying the wrong thing, however they fail to realize Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus stated to “Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind” This is actually known as the “Shema” in the Jewish culture. But its the root to your true faith, do you truly love God above all things? Are your actions and motives aimed at pleasing God?
The Second commandment Jesus said is most important is “To Love Your Neighbor as Yourself” the entire Law of God can be summed up as Love God and Love People. This should be the anthem for all Christians!
And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. Mark 12:32-34
Notice that truly loving God is more important than going through the rituals of sacrifices and burnt offerings! Alot of Christians today think if they do a list of things, check off some boxes, they are good with God. Jesus came to give us a personal relationship with God, love him with all your heart, soul, and mind not to just check off some boxes
Its not easy to Love People, however we are called and commanded by our Lord to do so. Remember while Jesus was on the cross he said “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) If our Lord can forgive those who sinned against him then we can also, Amen!
Only Begotten Son
Mark 12- Render To God and Country
And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. Mark 12:13-15
Here we see two groups , the Pharisees and the Herodians, and they are ganging up to try and trick Jesus. But Jesus saw their hypocrisy, and knew this was a trap. Now realize Israel was being oppressed by the Roman empire at this time, they were looking for the Messiah to be a military warrior, and start a revolt against Caesar.
However this is not why Jesus came to Earth, he didn’t come to defeat the Roman Empire, he came to defeat Satan, and defeat sin and death forever! The Pharisees and Herodians knew if they can trick Jesus into saying “Don’t pay your taxes” then they could have the Roman Empire charge him with a crime. But as stated Jesus knew the hypocrisy of the religious and political leaders, he knew the hardness of their hearts
And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him. Mark 12:16-17
Jesus asked them for a coin, and asked them “Who’s image is on the coin”? They answered Caesar, then Jesus told them to “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and Render to God , what is God’s “ This response by Jesus was so brilliant that nobody had a response to it. It was simple “Pay your taxes to Rome and pay your tithes to God”
Jesus gives us a glimpse as Christians how to live in this temporary evil world. We are to live as good citizens, pay your taxes, honor the laws, and serve the community. While Israel wanted a revolution , Jesus was building Gods eternal Kingdom. A Kingdom that would have dominion forever!
We as Christians are to be the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World (Matthew 5) to preserve justice and righteousness and to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel of Christ. Render to God and to Country in Jesus Name Amen!
Jesus Is The Good Shepherd Sermon
Mark 12- Parable of The Wicked Tenant
And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Mark 12:1-5
Jesus taught the parable of the wicked tenant, what some of them may not have realized that Jesus was speaking of Israel. The vineyard is Israel, and that God blessed and put a hedge of protection around. However as we see God sent multiple prophets throughout history and Israel never listened to them. In Fact Israel killed most of God’s prophets because of their disobedience and love for pagan gods
The time would then come when God would send his only Begotten Son to Israel, surely Israel would receive their Messiah, their King, the Son of God?
Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. Mark 12:6-8
Israel killed the Son of God, they had him crucified on a cross because of the hardness of their hearts. The Messiah that Israel long awaited for, was despised and rejected, treated as a common criminal, treated as he were cursed by God, yet Christ was the only one who could free them from the curse!
What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way. Mark 12:9-12
So what was God to do? He established the New Covenant by the shedding of the Messiah’s blood, and opened the Kingdom now to Jew and Gentile through Jesus Christ! Jesus is the chief cornerstone and he was rejected by God’s chosen people!
The religious leaders knew Jesus was speaking of them, and eventually they fulfilled prophecy by having the Messiah crucified, what they didn’t realize was Jesus willingly laid down his life, so we can be reconciled back to our Heavenly Father, Amen!
Mark 11- By What Authority?
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. Mark 11:28-30
The religious leaders could no longer deny the signs and miracles Jesus was performing, so instead they decided to challenge where Jesus was getting this power, hence implying that Jesus was possessed by demons. Now keep in mind these men were supposedly “Men of God” so for them to get to this point, shows how blinded they are by their own pride and arrogance.
Jesus challenged them back “Was the Baptism of John from God or a tradition of man”? Now this was a real challenging question, as most of them knew John the Baptist was a real prophet from God. So for them to deny John as a prophet would to be to deny God himself
However, thinking about the blindness of these men, they were afraid to deny John the Baptist as a prophet, however they were willing to kill the Son of God! These men were as Jesus said “ A generation of vipers”
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. Mark 11:31-33
These men feared the popularity of people rather than fear the wrath of God, they refused to answer Jesus’ question because they didn’t want to lose their positions or stature among the people.
How many people today are doing the same thing? They reject Christ because they rather want approval from this world. They don’t have a fear of God, they have a fear of people and power. They are blinded by their own pride and greed.
Since they refused to answer Jesus, he refused to answer them! If you want a relationship with God, you need to be seeking him with an honest heart. Do you love God with all your heart, mind, and soul? Are you seeking Jesus?
Unashamed of Jesus 