Tag Archives: Mark

Mark 12- Render To God and Country

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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!

Mark 12- Parable of The Wicked Tenant

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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?

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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

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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!

Mark 11- Palm Sunday

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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

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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!

Mark 10- Only Jesus

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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. Mark 10:35-37

The “sons of Thunder” asked Jesus if they could sit at his right and left hand, obviously these guys had no idea what they were asking for! The first issue we see is the Apostles were starting to feed their egos rather than feed the sheep. With all the fame Jesus experienced with his miracles and teachings, the Apostles were using this to build their own egos, doesn’t this sound familiar in today’s Church?

Secondly it shows the Apostles at this moment, didn’t understand what Jesus came to accomplish on the Earth. They didnt understand that Jesus came to die for the sins of the world, they also didn’t understand that nobody else is worthy to be in this position except for Jesus Christ alone! To believe you could sit at the right or left hand of God, is blasphemy!

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. Mark 10:38-41

Jesus told the brothers, “You have no idea what you’re talking about” Jesus asks them “Can they drink from the cup that he drinks from”? And the brothers answered “Yes”, this clearly indicates they had no idea what Jesus was talking about. The cup Jesus was referring to was the Cup of Wrath, that God poured down upon Christ on the cross

Nobody else could pay the debt for our sins except Jesus Christ, nobody else could drink from the cup, why? Because as Jesus said earlier “Nobody is good but God alone” we are all sinners, nobody else is sinless except for the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ

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. Mark 10:42-44

Jesus explains how the Kingdom of God works, it’s the opposite of this world. Those who want to be great in the Kingdom of God must be a servant of all, God wants us to humble ourselves! This is a concept difficult for us to understand, because this world is all about glorifying the flesh, God’s Kingdom is about followingThe Spirit

If you want to be a disciple of Christ, humble yourself, be a servant of all, deny yourself, carry your cross, and follow Jesus , Amen!

Mark 10- Are You A Good Person?

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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. 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. Mark 10:17-20

Are you a good person? The majority of people would say “Yes” and believe they will enter Heaven because they are a “good person” However Jesus states “Nobody is good but God” , so do you think you’re still a good person? The Bible tells us “We have all have sinned and fallen short of the glory and God” (Romans 3:) We are all sinners, this is why we all need a Savior , Jesus Christ

Notice also Jesus is declaring He is God, nobody is good but God, Jesus is the sinless Lamb of God. If Jesus isn’t God then he can’t be the atonement for your sins, think about that! How does Jesus respond to the man, he lists the Ten Commandments, why? Because the Law of God is a mirror to show how sinful we are!

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. Mark 10: 21-22

Jesus said “Ok you want to be my disciple, sell all your stuff, give it to the poor, and follow Me” Notice the response from the rich young ruler, he was sad and walked away, why? Because he loved his life, he loved his money more than he loved Christ

Jesus said “Deny yourself, carry your cross, and follow him” Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to pay the price of being a Christian? Secondly , nobody is a good person, we are all sinners and have transgressed a Holy God, we can only be justified and forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ. Nobody goes to Heaven except through Christ! Amen!

Mark 10 – Covenant of Marriage

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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. Mark 10:5-8

Often people will say Jesus didnt address homosexuality or same sex marriage, they must of forgot to read this Chapter. Here Jesus addresses the issue of divorce, while addressing he affirms the covenant of marriage established by God in the book of Genesis 2. God created us male and female, to marry, and whatever is bound by the covenant of marriage shouldnt be seperated. 

So how does this address homosexuality? Simple, any sex outside the covenant of marriage is immoral. What is the covenant of marriage, simply a man and a woman just as Jesus explained. This goes beyond homosexuality, any sex outside of marriage is a sin, period. 

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. Mark 10:9-12

Jesus teachings on divorce are not any softer, as the Bible tells us “God hates divorce” (Malachi 2:16) Now we know this is a very complex topic and there are alot of circumstances that can ruin a marriage, but God’s original design was for marriage to be a man and a woman to last forever

Now we live in a fallen world, due to sin, so living a perfect life is not attainable. However we should strive to live a life pleasing and honoring to God. In Matthew 5:32 Jesus says that you can get a divorce due to sexual immorality. So God is understanding that sometimes a covenant in marriage needs to be dissolved, but of course that wasn’t his original design, but due to the sinful nature of the world God made exceptions.

The Bible is clear, God made Man and Woman, there is no transgender or gender confusion, any confusion is caused by Satan. Biology and Science is pretty clear, they can identify the gender of a person before they leave the womb. God will not be mocked, serve him with all your heart, mind, and soul in Jesus name Amen!

Mark 9- Hell Fire

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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. Mark 9:43-46

In today’s Christianity, people like to downplay the place we know as Hell (Gehenna) , people like to see it’s just figurative or that it’s a temporary place, but this isn’t what Jesus teaches. In fact if you focus on what Christ is teaching you see it’s a permanent place and your still alive there

Jesus said it’s better to cut off your hand or foot if they cause you to sin then to go to Hell forever. Is Jesus suggesting you cut off your body parts, no? Hes trying to make a point, that it would be better for you to cut out the sin in your life then to go to Hell for it. Cut out the drugs, alcohol, pornography, greed, hatred, ect whatever is consuming you to sin, its better to cut it out now then to go to Hell forever

Notice Jesus says “The Fire is Not Quenched”, this is not annihilationism or conditional immortality, the Hell Fire never stops. Jesus is quoting Isaiah 66, proof that Hell is not a New Testament concept, this was taught in the Old Testament also

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. Mark 9:48-49

Ask yourself if Hell was temporary or just symbolic , why would it be better to cut off your body parts then to go there? What about judgement for our sin? We would agree God is Just, so how will Hitler pay for his evil acts? When he died did he just cease to exist? No , hes in Hell right now paying for the wages of his sins. God is eternal, when you sin against a eternal and holy God, you will have eternal consequences

This is why the gospel is so important, that we need to become Born Again (John 3) by the blood of Jesus Christ, Hell is real but you dont have to go there, because Christ is the atonement for our sins , trust in Jesus Amen!