Sons of Thunder…

Read: Mark 1-3
Marked: Mark 3:17, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”;

Jesus nicknamed James and John the Sons of Thunder because they wanted to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them (Luke 9:54).

They wanted to do this because a Samaritan village had rejected Jesus and did not receive Him. How do I respond to those who reject Jesus? What would I like to do, or have happen, to those who slight Jesus, ignore or reject Him?

I would do well to remember the Lord’s rebuke of James and John and be reminded, “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke 9:56a)

Silence is Golden…

Read: Matthew 27-28
Marked: Matthew 27:14, But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

Jesus said many marvellous things in the gospels. His wisdom and knowledge is on full display. But Pilate marveled at Christ’s silence. I suppose, unlike other condemned men, Jesus didn’t plead for His life or confessed things He hadn’t even done.

And in Christ’s silence I find comfort. Comfort knowing, as a sinner, Christ could condemn Pilate for his sins and blasphemies, even in his condemning the innocent man standing before him.

Like Pilate I deserve condemnation. But by faith in Christ I stand uncondemned and the Lord remains silent over my sins because I place my faith in Him for the forgiveness of my sins.

My Memorial…

Read: Matthew 26
Marked: Matthew 26:13, “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

An unnamed woman pours a very expensive perfume on the head of Jesus and is soundly condemned for it by those at the dinner, including His disciples. (V8-9) But Jesus didn’t.

We’re not told anything about this woman, who she was, where she came from, only what she did. Jesus tells us by this one act she would be remembered for it as a memorial to her.

We might not be well known in the world or in the church. We might not have done much for the Kingdom and, maybe, we’ve been condemned for what we have done. What matters though is that even the little things are noticed and remembered by the Lord.

All we do, whether great or small, lays another stone on the foundation which is Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). Our work for Christ endures as we build one upon another to the glory of God.

Be Ready…

Read: Matthew 24-25
Marked: Matthew 24:44, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

These two chapters relate the difference between those who are ready and those who aren’t.

Jesus promised He would come again and explains some of the signs, events, that would proceed His coming. But our focus shouldn’t be on these things but on being ready when the time comes for His return.

We don’t know the hour this will happen but we are to watch and be ready (V43). We can be like the wise servant of verse 45, or the evil servant of verse 48. Which one do I want to be?

Whitewashed Tombs…

Read: Matthew 22-23
Marked: Matthew 23:27, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”

A tomb can be beautiful, ornately decorated, clean, whitewashed on the outside, but inside is death and the bones of the one who has died. Jesus paints a clear picture of hypocrisy.

Sin kills, all of us, because we have sinned, are dead spiritually. No matter how good we appear on the outside, if we remain dead inside we are like a tomb.

Lazarus died and was laid in a tomb (John 11). When Jesus commanded the stone at the entrance of the tomb be rolled away the sister of Lazarus said, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” (John 11:39)

At the moment of death decay and corruption affects the body. But when Christ called Lazarus from the tomb he didn’t come out like a rotting corpse, he came out renewed, restored, outwardly and inwardly too.

When we receive the call of Christ to leave behind the stink and corruption of this world as a new creation, not just outwardly, but especially inwardly.

When we come alive in Jesus our whole being is restored and we leave the things of the world and are made alive by the Spirit of God in thought, word, and deed.

Serving…

Read: Matthew 20-21
Marked: Matthew 20:28, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

We have each been invited to labour for the Kingdom of God (V1). Some labour only a short time while others labour a long time.

But we labour not for earthly riches but for heavenly gain which cannot compare to anything this world has to offer (Matthew 6:19-20). Instead we labour in service, doing that which God has called us to do (Ephesians 2:10) for the Kingdom and to brings others into the Kingdom (Luke 10:2).

That Which is Lost…

Read: Matthew 18-19
Marked: Matthew 18:11, “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”

No one thinks they are lost. We all know we will die one day, but do we know what lies beyond deaths door?

Some think nothing. Others believe in a heaven or a place of peace and rest. Still others believe in reincarnation; being reborn to live another life. This just goes to show we are indeed lost. We don’t know what happens at the moment we die.

But Jesus came to show us the way and to set our minds at ease that where He is, there we may also be (John 14:3). In Christ we are no longer lost but know exactly where heaven is; where Jesus is. And where He is, we also will be if we trust in Him.

Far Away Hearts…

Read: Matthew 15-17
Marked: Matthew 15:2-3, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?”

Here is another example of the letter of the law and the principle or precept behind the law. The Pharisees were religious at law keeping even making new laws to ensure they kept the law; the tradition of the elders. They ritually observed the rules concerning cleanliness, washing before every meal and ensuring they touched no unclean thing.

We can honour our mother and father outwardly and yet curse them with our thoughts or refuse to help them. Thus we nullify the commandments of God. (V5-6).

Are we drawing near to God with our lips only, yet our hearts remain far from Him? (V8) We are not just defiled outwardly, but what is in us defiles us. It is our hearts that need cleansing (V19) and that can only be done by the Holy Spirit by yielding to Him and to His word.

No amount of outward scrubbing will cleanse us from our sin. We need a new heart which only Jesus can provide (Psalm 51:10).

The Kingdom…

Read: Matthew 13-14
Marked: Matthew 13:24, Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;

In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Here in chapter 13 from verse 24 to 33 Jesus gives more insight into what the kingdom is like. In verse 24 the kingdom is like a man sowing good seed in his field, but not all the seed sown brought forth fruit. An enemy came and sowed bad seed which resembled good grain except the seeds are black.

In verse 31 a small seed was sown and yet though it is small grows up to be a huge pant. God’s word is like that. It may begin in our hearts like a small thing but, if allowed to, will grow large and strong, like a tree, as we walk in Christ, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith (Colossians 2:6-7).

Jesus also says the kingdom is like leaven or yeast (V33). When even a small amount of yeast is added to dough and the dough is kneaded, the yeast will work throughout the dough so it will rise.

So it is with the kingdom. When you allow God’s word to work in you, you will rise with Christ in all wisdom and knowledge and understanding.

Are You?…

Read: Matthew 11-12
Marked: Matthew 11:2-3, And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

I was in a communications training class some years ago and the instructor asked, “Who is the one person in all of history you’d like to sit down with and talk too?” One of the students answered, “Jesus Christ. I’d like to talk to Jesus Christ.” I don’t know what he believed, but he wanted to talk to Jesus.

Many have an opinion about Jesus, but few take the time to know Him. How many have an opinion about Jesus yet never consider His claims? Without knowing Him they dismiss Him.

Have you considered His claims about Himself? Messiah, Son of God, Healer, Saviour? In considering His claims we must make a conclusion. He was either Lord, liar, or lunatic.