Only Begotten Son
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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?
Mark 11- Cleansing The Temple
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. Mark 11:15-17
One of the most historic events Jesus did before he went to the cross was to cleanse the temple, why? This was really a sign, a foreshadowing of the New Covenant to come. The Temple , was the Holiest of Holies, this was the only place on Earth where the presence of God was. This is why Jews had to come to the Temple during feasts.
However just like everything else, they corrupted the Temple of God. Instead of making it a place of worship , it became a place of business. People used the sacrificial system as a product line to make money. Jesus said “They have made the house of God 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. And when even was come, he went out of the city. Mark 11:18-19
Some like to use the phrase “What would Jesus Do”? Well Jesus flipped the money changing tables and chased the merchants with whips. Why? Because Jesus was Cleansing The Temple, Jesus was removing the sin from the House of God.
This should be the same for us, as the Bible tells us now in the New Covenant, our bodies are the Temple of God (1 Corinthians 3,6 ) Are you cleansing your temple from Sin? This is why Jesus went to the cross, the pay the penalty for our sins, and cleans us with his blood
The Cleansing of The Temple, is a foreshadow of what Christ accomplished at the cross and rose on the 3rd day, defeating sin and death forever! The Veil was torn separating us from God, and we are now reconciled because of Jesus Amen!
Eyes Opened
Mark 11- Palm Sunday
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. Mark 11:1-4
One of the greatest times of the year and events is Palm Sunday, why? Because this is not only a historical event fulfilling prophecy but also a futuristic event we see in Revelation. This is also the day we kick off “Holy Week” the week when Jesus pays the penalty for our sins and then rises and defeats sin and death forever, Amen!
Now the first thing we notice is Jesus rode through Jerusalem on a donkey, this was significant for a few reasons. First it was the fulfillment of prophecy, as foretold by Zechariah 9:9, the Messiah would be riding on a donkey. Secondly it was a sign of Peace!
Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) While Israel expects their Messiah to be a military warrior to wage war on the Romans. Jesus didn’t come to defeat Rome, Jesus came to defeat Satan , defeat Sin and Death forever, so we may be reconciled back to God
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. Mark 11:5-8
The streets of Jerusalem were packed with everyone laying down and waving Palm Branches, which is where we get the title of Palm Sunday. The Palm Branch was symbolic of Victory and Eternal Life. Also people were laying down their coats in reverence to Christ acknowledging that Jesus is their King!
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. Mark 11:9-11
The term Hosanna is derived from Psalm 118, yet another fulfillment of prophecy. However the term means “Deliver Us” Israel was crying out for Christ to deliver them, which he did , but not in the way they expected him to. Jesus delivered the world by going to the cross and rising on the 3rd Day
In only a few days, the same crowd that was shouting Hosanna would soon be shouting Crucify Him! This is the kick off of Holy Week and Jesus will go to the cross willingly to be the ransom for our sins Amen!
Mark 10- Cry Out to Jesus
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. Mark 10:47-49
Here we see a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, heard about Jesus coming through town, so he cried out to The Lord to save him! Even though many people were telling him to Shut Up, Bartimaeus cried out even louder so The Lord could hear him! What great faith this blind man displayed! Notice the title he used for Jesus “Son of David”, its clear Bartimaeus believed Jesus was the Messiah
Are you seeking Jesus like Bartimaeus? Are you crying out to The Lord to save you? Even when all the people around you are telling you to shut up or telling you , you are crazy! Demonstrate your faith in Christ and keep crying out to him even louder!
Jesus heard Bartimaeus and asked him to come to him! The same people who were telling him to shut up are not cheering for him since Jesus answered him. Don’t allow people around you to ruin your relationship with Christ!
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. Mark 10:50-52
How did Bartimaeus respond to Jesus calling? He rose and went right to Jesus! Did you answer when The Lord called you? Jesus asks him specifically “What do you want me to do”? Jesus wants to know your thoughts and feelings, talk to him! Bartimaeus said he wanted his vision, before we come to Christ we are all spiritually blind. When we call out to Jesus and receive him, are eyes are opened by God
Jesus said “Your faith has made you whole” notice the key word whole, Bartimaeus didn’t just receive sight that day, he received salvation from The Lord. It says he received his sight and followed Jesus
Are you calling out to Jesus today? Do you want to be saved? Cry out and receive Christ, your faith will make you whole in Jesus name Amen!
Unashamed of Jesus 