This year, beginning January 1, I will be posting “Praying the Scriptures,” in which I will cite a passage from the Bible, share the insight the Holy Spirit gave me from the Scriptures, and then share a prayer based on the passage and my thoughts.

“Praying the Scriptures” will follow the daily readings from the “Bible Reading Schedule,” which I put out monthly. If you would like a schedule, request it via my email address: sigcanales@comcast.net.

I am looking forward to sharing a portion of my spiritual journey with you this coming year as I travel through the Bible and hear the voice of God as He speaks to me through the Scriptures. My prayer is that these daily “Praying the Scriptures” postings will be an inspiration and an encouragement to you in your own spiritual journey in 2026.

Will you do me a favor? Would you click the “Like” button if a particular “Praying the Scriptures” was meaningful to you? Also, if you feel so inclined, share some of your thoughts under the “Comment” option? Doing so would be an encouragement to me, letting me know that what the Holy Spirit spoke to me was also meaningful to you. Thank You.

Have a blessed New Year, my friend. See you on January 1 and throughout the year.

Sig

One of the dilemmas that we will all face throughout our Christian journey is the choice to either please man or God. Many times, those choices will be because of the fear of man or the fear of God, or the desire to please men or God.

Towards the end of the Gospel of Mark, we see this dilemma in five different scenarios. Chapters 14 and 15 of Mark’s Gospel center on the final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry when He is betrayed and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, tried in Pilot’s court, to where Jesus is crucified and dies on the cross, and is eventually buried in a tomb. In these two chapters, we see the full spectrum of those who choose to please man or God due to the fear of man or the fear of God. Let’s briefly look at those examples.

• Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus for personal gain and to please man (14:10-11)

• The Disciples forsake Jesus because of the fear of man (14:50)

• Peter’s three denials of Jesus due to the fear of man (14:66-72)

• Pilot’s compromise and decision as the result of the fear of man (15:14-15)

• Joseph of Arimathea’s courage and decision to please God (15:42-46)

The account of Joseph of Arimathea is an example of one making the choice ignore the fear of man to please God for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

“Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus” (Mark 15:43).

Another Bible translations reads: ^“Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)” (Mark 15:43 NLT).

John’s Gospel points out that this same Joseph secretly feared the Jews, but for this one instant, he overcame his fear so that He could do what he was supposed to do regarding the Kingdom of God. (See John 19:38. Also note that Nicodemus, who also feared the Jews, overcame his fear too and joined Joseph to bury the body of Jesus. See John 19:39-42.)

There’s one more example of one who makes the ultimate choice to please God even though it would cost him his life – our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Mark 15:16-37). Jesus is the ultimate example of one who chose to be a pleaser of God over the fear of man. His choice to please His Heavenly Father led Him to obey even to death. (See Philippians 2:5-8.)

To please God cost Jesus His very life but the reward for His obedience far outweighed the cost to please His Father. (See Philippians 9-11.)

So, it’s your and my choice – do we decide to please man or God? Yes, it will cost us to please God, but the rewards make it worthwhile to be a pleaser of God. What is God calling us to do? Let’s do it!

(Other Scripture passages referring to pleasing God or man: Galatians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:4)

Subscribe now

Mark 12 records an account of when the religious leaders attempted to trip up Jesus with a scriptural challenge. (See Mark 12:18-23.) The Sadducees thought they were being clever by asking Jesus a question that Moses had dealt with in the Torah, which they supposedly knew, but in actuality, they did not.

Jesus rebukes them with this reply: “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures…” (v. 24a). He was stating that because these religious leaders did not sufficiently know what the Scriptures said regarding their question, that was why they were ignorantly asking their question.

We are not those religious leaders, but we need to take heed of what Jesus accused them of. As followers of the Lord, we need to know the Scriptures—not just about the Scriptures—but to really know the Scriptures.

Jesus illustrated the importance of knowing the Scriptures when He used the Word of God to combat and defeat the Devil while being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. In Matthew 4, we see Jesus using the Scriptures as a weapon against the Devil.

⁴ But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say…”
⁷ Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say…”
¹⁰ Jesus told him, “For the Scriptures say…”

Throughout the New Testament, we read about the necessity of knowing the Scriptures.

• In Paul’s listing of the Armor of God in Ephesians 6, the Word of God is called the “Sword of the Spirit.”

• The writer of Hebrews speaks of the power of the Scriptures when he says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV).

• Paul exhorted young Pastor Timothy regarding the importance of the Bible.
  ¹⁶ “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Our God speaks to us today in a variety of ways.

• Through the inner voice of the Holy Spirit

• Through a Prophetic Gift (Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom)

• Through a Prophet’s message or word

• Through Dreams and Visions

But God speaks to us today primarily through the Scriptures (the Word of God, the Bible). If that is true, then we need to be people who really know what the Scriptures say.

Let us not rely on a diet of the Bible that we are fed merely via a Sunday morning sermon. No, let us be people of the Word who know what the Scriptures say about the Kingdom of God and how we are to live and function within that Kingdom. Read it! Meditate on it! Memorize it! Study it! Fight with it! And live it!

Subscribe now

In Mark’s Gospel, chapter seven, Jesus touches on an important responsibility that we, in our modern Western culture here in America seem to ignore or disregard. Other cultures around the globe and even those from other countries who come here to the United States seem to do better with this responsibility then most of us naturally born Americans. What is this responsibility that I am referring to that Jesus pointed out?

Take a look here at Mark 7 where Jesus is scolding the Pharisees and some religious leaders regarding the many hypocritical teachings that they push on the Jewish people. Embedded in Jesus’ rebuking we find these words,

“Honor your father and mother” (v.9) and “In this way, you let them disregard their needy parents” (v.13).

Jesus was pointing out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, but He was also implying a responsibility that adult children have pertaining to their older parents, and that is to honor parents and meet the needs of their older father and mother.

I opened up this Gleaning with criticizing our country regarding falling short of a responsibility that we, as a nation fall short in – that is in taking care of our elderly parents.

In other countries and cultures, adult children traditionally take care of their elderly parents. In those settings, in many homes, you will find three generations under the same roof – grandparents, parents and children. The beauty in these settings is that the older grandparents and even parents are taken care of into their final days of living.

In Mark’s narrative Jesus is assuming the responsibility that adult children should meet the needs of their elderly parents, or to take care of them when they are older and are incapable of taking care of themselves. It is really of a reversal of life that takes place – parents take care of their children when they are born into this life and then the older parents are taken care of by the children that they took care of as they leave this life.

Jesus illustrated this care of parents while He was dying on the cross.

²⁵ Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” ²⁷ And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:25-27)

This Gleaning was not meant to lay a guilt trip on anyone, but simply to give food for thought regarding the responsibility that we have pertaining to our aging mothers or fathers.

Jesus in this Mark’s Gospel used the words, “needy parents.” The questions that each of us should ask are, “What needs do my parents have? How can I meet the needs of my Mom or my Dad as they are getting older?”

Ask the Lord those questions. He will show you what you should do. Sure, there will be inconveniences and expenses incurred in meeting the needs of an elderly parent, but before God, ask the question, “What is my responsibility?” and then, follow through with what He impresses on your heart.

Subscribe now

Mark’s Gospel records the two storms on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus, in both of them, calms the winds and the waves. (See Mark 4:35-41 and Mark 6:45-51.) Even though these were very real physical storms, there are many lessons that we can derive metaphorically to the storms of life that we encounter today. Some lessons:

• Storms can come suddenly and unexpectantly

• Call out to Jesus in the mist of the storm

• Overcome fear with faith in the storm

• Keep our eyes on Jesus in the midst of the storm

• Calm eventually follows a storm

There is an additional lesson regarding Jesus in the storm narratives in Mark 4 and 6 that is just as important to grasp that parallel to the metaphorical storms that we encounter in our lives.

In Mark 6 we read:

⁴⁷ Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. ⁴⁸ He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, ⁴⁹ but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. ⁵⁰ They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” (Emphasis added.)

Did you catch what Jesus said to His disciples in the midst of the storm?

“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!”

Here’s the lesson to take away from this account: Jesus is with us in our storms!

The wind was blowing, the waves were rocking the boat, the boat was filling up with water and Jesus is walking on the water – but Jesus was right there with them, in the middle of the storm.

As children of God, here’s a lesson that we need to constantly remind ourselves of when the storms of life are beating down on us – Jesus is with us in the midst of the storm! We are not in the storm all by ourselves – Jesus is with us in the storm too! Look for Him. He’s right there. Hear His voice above the wind and the pouring down rain – “Don’t be afraid, take courage! I am here!”

Subscribe now

And interesting distinction is made when Jesus first sent out His twelve disciples on their mission’s trip as recorded in Mark 6. Up to this point Jesus took all of the disciples with Him as he ministered. They traveled as a team, witnessing Jesus teach, preach, perform miracles, heal the sick and even cast out demons. They were all together as a group, but then something changed.

⁶ …Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. ⁷ And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two,..

Did you catch that distinction? – and began sending them out two by two.

Interesting. He didn’t send them out individually or even as a group of three or four, or even more. No, Jesus sent out His disciples two by two.

The number two has a different ring than just the number one. And more than two, when it comes to speaking of groups of people, seems to be crowded and maybe even too much. But two, regarding people, has a nice feel to it.

• From the very beginning of creation, God found it necessary to give Adam a help mate after He first created just Adam. First it was Adam, but then it was Adam and Eve. Two was better than one.

• And then latter on, in the Old Testament, the Lord put together a leadership team of Moses and Aaron. That for sure was a good team of two.

• Then we see a friendship match between David and Jonathan. Oh, how David needed the friendship of a devoted Jonathan.

• Progressing into the time when Jesus selected His initial disciples, we see two brother teams of two: Peter and Andrew and James and John. Later we would see the two friends Philip and Nathanael. And then moving into the Early Church, we would see the ministry teaming up of Paul and Barnabas and later, Paul and Silas.

Back to this Mark 6 account – and began sending them out two by two.

Yes, Jesus could’ve sent out the Twelve individually all by themselves, but no, He chose to send them out two by two. And why? Well, with the pairing of two for ministry purposes there would be many advantages such as: companionship, support, encouragement, friendship, and even accountability.

Additionally, apart from ministry benefits of having a team of two, just for daily living, there are additional advantages to having a friend. Add to the previous list the needs for intimacy, fellowship, assistance, and even shared purpose, values and goals – all which can be shared between two close friends.

Our God never intended for you and me to go through life alone all by ourselves. Whether it is through the intimate relationship shared with a spouse or maybe even with the tight friendship with a close buddy, God means for us to go through life two by two. With a good friend, we will accomplish much more as opposed to being by ourselves.

Don’t go through life as a Lone Ranger; after all, the Lone Ranger even had his Tonto. Make sure that you find your Kemosabe, my friend.

Subscribe now

Mark 2 contains an interesting confrontation between the Pharisees (religious leaders) and Jesus regarding the Sabbath day. The Pharisees regarded keeping the Sabbath as part of their obligated religious mandates. From their perspective and their understanding, the Sabbath Day with its myriads of regulations, was a one of the ways in which one showed absolute obedience to God. In essence, they were teaching that the Sabbath was a form of worship to God and to not adhere to the rabbinical laws surrounding the keeping of the Sabbath was sinful. From their legalistic viewpoint, the Sabbath observance was a demand from God on His people to please Him.

It was this religious mindset that Jesus was going to confront and oppose in Mark’s Gospel. They had it all wrong. They missed the whole God-given purpose of the Sabbath.

Here’s the confrontation that Jesus had with the Pharisees in Mark 2:

²³ One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. ²⁴ But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”

²⁵ Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ²⁶ He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.”

Jesus’ disciples were hungry, so as they would regularly do, they ate the grain from wheat to take care of their hunger. That was fine, but the mistake that they made, according to the Pharisees, was that they did this on the Sabbath Day. As per the religious leaders, Jesus disciples were breaking the religious laws of the Sabbath because they were harvesting the grain and thereby, working on the Sabbath Day. Were they really working or simply plucking some grain to eat?

Jesus then replies:

²⁷ Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. ²⁸ So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

The Pharisees missed the whole point of the Sabbath. As per the Old Testament teaching of the Sabbath (see Exodus 31:12-17), the original intent of the Sabbath Day was to force the Jews to take a day of rest at the end of a busy week of work and labor. The Sabbath day of rest was a requirement to make God’s people cease from working for just one day. The Sabbath was a gift from Jehovah the Lord to His people. It was a gift from God to force His people to relax and rest after a full week of work. Physically, mentally and emotionally, God’s people could kick back and do nothing as pertaining from their work.

As it was back in ancient Hebrew times and into the times of Jesus and beyond, our God has provided us with the mandate to take a break from our work and jobs for just one day. Our Sabbath Day of rest, whether it’s on a Saturday, or a Sunday, or on any other day of the week, provides us with the opportunity to physically, mentally and emotionally relax and recharge our batteries. It is a gift from our God to us.

Are you a workaholic? Are you burning the candle at both ends with overtime at work? Are working a part-time job in addition to your full-time job? If you are guilty of doing any of these while working straight for seven days at a time, STOP and take a Sabbath Day. More than likely if you are working like a dog, you are probably experiencing fatigue, insomnia, physical issues and possibly, even depression.

Stop and accept the gift of the Sabbath that your God has commanded you to follow. You will benefit emotionally, mentally, and physically. A Sabbath day’s rest will also have a positive effect on your relationships and as well as on your spiritual connection with the Lord. The Sabbath, it is a gift.

Subscribe now

If someone were to ask you to sum up in just a few words who Jesus Christ is, what would you say? The opening verse of the Gospel of Mark provides and excellent description of the essence of who Jesus is.

“This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God…” (Mark 1:1a).

The New Living Translations states this verse as, “This is the Good News,” while the New King James Version translates that open verse as, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

“Good News” is the Greek translation of the word, “gospel.” I just love that – the Gospel of Jesus Christ is Good News! What greater good news can we receive and share?

Our Lord’s two titles are wrapped up in that opening verse: “Jesus the Messiah” and “The Son of God.”

Let’s briefly take a quick look at these two titles that make up the Good News (The Gospel).

“Jesus the Messiah”

The title “Christ” is translated, “The Anointed One,” which was a Hebrew term associated with the Messiah.

This is King Jesus whom the Jewish nation was waiting for their deliverance from Roman governmental and military oppression. Many were disappointed when their Messiah was crucified on a cross, died and was buried.

Today we recognize and accept Jesus as our Messiah and our King as He brings deliverance and the Kingdom of God right into our lives. Hallelujah! Jesus conquers all! Praise the Lord!

“The Son of God”

In this title we recognize and acknowledge our Jesus as Deity, as God.

The following narrative between Jesus and His disciples clearly states the divinity of the Son of God,

⁶ Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” ⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” ⁹ Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. ¹¹ Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. (John 14:6-11)

Do you need some good news today? Here it is, Jesus Christ is the Messiah and the Son of God. Jesus is our King and our God. Replace this Good News with the bad news that you might be facing today. Put it all in perspective. Say this with me, “Lord Jesus, You are my King and my God! You rule and reign.”

Subscribe now

Christianity is unique from all of the other religions of the world.

• Christianity is not unique because of the sacrifice that had been made by Jesus Christ to atone for the sins of mankind. Other religions have had their sacrifices: the human sacrifices of the Aztecs, the infant sacrifices of the Babylonians, the blood offerings of various cultures.

• Christianity is not unique even for its code of ethics or its moral standards. Many religions practice and hold to a stringent and strict lifestyle.

• Christianity is not even unique amongst all the other religions of the world because of its guaranteed claim of immortality to its believers. Many religious groups outside of the Christian faith teach the same thing.

What makes Christianity unique and special of all the world’s religions is the fact that its founder, Jesus Christ, is the only leader who died and was resurrected back to life. Christianity is the only faith or religion that can point to an empty tomb.

We learn of the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection in Matthew 28.

¹ Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

² Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. ³ His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. ⁴ The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

⁵ Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

The resurrection of Jesus is the central teaching of the Christian faith. Jesus’ resurrection is foundational to what and who we are.

The Apostle Paul said,

“And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty...And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Corinthians 15:14,17)

The historical bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ means LIFE – Life for the present as well as life for the future.

ETERNAL LIFE (The Future)

For you and me, the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is this: We can have eternal life.

“Because I live, you will also.” (John 14:19)

Jesus said... “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26)

The bodily resurrection of Christ gives us hope for the future. Because He conquered death, you and I now have the assurance that we too will conquer the grave and have eternal life. That’s our future.

ABUNDANT LIFE (The Present)

“Abundant” means plentiful, full, complete, “to live life large”

The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that we can presently live an abundant life. Jesus said,

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

This abundant life is possible because of the resurrection of Jesus.

¹⁹ “And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 1:19-20)

The resurrection of Jesus Christ has tremendous meaning for us. Through His victory over death and the grave, you and I can experience life – Eternal Life for the future, when we pass from this life into the next, and Abundant Life for the present as we live in this life.

Subscribe now

(Bible quotations are from the NLT unless otherwise stated.)

For almost two thousand years since the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, believers as well as unbelievers have worn a replica of the cross that Jesus was crucified on. Many people wear cross medallions hanging from chains around their necks and even gold or silver cross earrings fashionably dangling from ear lobes; and for many, without a real understanding of the true meaning of the Cross of Christ.

The Cross of Christ was about a crucifixion – a cruel, painful, and humiliating form of a death sentence used by the Roman government for condemned criminals.

Matthew’s Gospel records that infamous event in human history in which our Savior, Jesus Christ, was cruelly crucified.

In Matthew 27 we see three meanings of the Cross of Christ: His Suffering, His Separation and Our Salvation.

1) The Cross Meant His Suffering

²⁶ So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

²⁹ They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head…

³⁰ And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it.

³⁵ After they had nailed him to the cross…

The physical suffering that Jesus went through was unimaginable.

2) The Cross Meant His Separation

⁴⁵ Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. ⁴⁶ And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (NKJV)

Due to the collective sins of mankind upon Jesus as the Sacrificial Lamb, God the Father turned away from His Son. The Sin-Bearer was separated from His Father because of the cleansing and the forgiveness of sin that He was being sacrificed for.

3) The Cross Meant Our Salvation

⁵⁰ Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. ⁵¹ At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom…

This was the heavy curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:31-33). The Most Holy Place was specially reserved for God Himself. This was where God’s presence was. This heavy veil symbolically separated a holy God from the sinful people.

The tearing indicated that Christ had entered heaven itself on our behalf so that we too would be able to enter God’s very presence. Jesus’ death opened the way for us to come into the presence of a holy God.

Note also that the veil was torn from the top to the bottom, further indicating that God had opened the way for man to approach Him. God initiated salvation.

His Suffering, His Separation, and our Salvation – that’s what the Crucifixion and Cross meant to Jesus.

Matthew 26 begins the series of events in the life of Jesus that would eventually conclude with His crucifixion and death. And as we know how it all ends, Jesus’ death would ultimately give way to His resurrection. But before His death and eventual resurrection, there would be a whole lot of pain and emotional turmoil. On the part of the disciples, this week would usher in confusion and fear, but ultimately like their master, the events of this painful week would end in utter joy and celebration.

Not to even remotely compare our painful life experiences to the severity and intensity of what Jesus went through prior to His crucifixion and death, I would submit that there are resurrections for us to experience also following our death experiences. Yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Matthew 26 opens with Jesus making a foreboding statement. “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified” (v.2). And then it goes down hill from that moment with the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, to the betrayal by Judas, the arrest by the Roman soldiers in the Garden, and being dragged before Caiaphas, the high priest. The chapter ends with Jesus watching Peter denying Him three different times. The unconscionable drama continues through Chapter 27 and eventually culminates with Jesus’ unimaginable cruel crucifixion and death. But that chapter is not the finality of the life of Jesus – Chapter 28 is about the victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Again, as I earlier stated, not to come anywhere close to comparing our painful life experiences to our Lord’s, but there is a close similarity though. You see, we do go through periods of excruciating emotional pain and turmoil as followers of Jesus, but those times eventually give way to a joyful ending. In a sense, we do experience a form of resurrection as we ultimately emerge from our season of suffering.

Be encouraged by the following Bible passages that speak of our resurrection moments.

• ³ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation (Romans 5:3-4).

• ⁸ Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. ⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).

• ² Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:2-4).

• ⁶ So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. ⁷ These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world (1 Peter 1:6-7).

I will close with one more piece of Scripture that speaks of the hope that we experience at the end of our seasons of suffering. “Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5b).

Subscribe now

(Bible quotations are from the NLT unless otherwise stated.)

Towards the end of Matthew 25 addresses the final judgment of mankind where Jesus the Judge and King separates the believers from the unbelievers. Metaphorically He separates the “sheep” from the “goats.” Much is made today from this passage of Sheep Nations and Goat Nations, which is fine. But there is a deeper message that seems to get lost in the futuristic judgement of the nations by our King. Actually, this overlooked message is a defining criteria that means the difference between eternal damnation and eternal life.

Check out the pronouncement by King Jesus in verses 34-36:

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

The narrative continues on with the guilty questioning what Jesus is stating and making excuses for their lack of action according to what the Lord is saying His followers should have been engaged in.

He then goes to pronounce His judgment on the guilty.

⁴⁵ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ ⁴⁶ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

You might be saying, “But I have eternal life because I’ve been born again according to what the Lord said in John 3:16. Are you implying that there’s more than just believing in Jesus for my salvation?” I’m not implying anything except that according to what Jesus is stating here, taking care of the less fortunate, the hurting and those in need is a major part of who the followers of Jesus are.

My friend, like me, take a closer look at this narrative by the Lord. Let’s not just pass over Jesus’ words and blow off what He’s really saying here. Let the Holy Spirit speak to our hearts. Is there something more to my salvation experience that I might be missing?

When we think about the commandments of God, most of us automatically think of the Ten Commandments that Jehovah God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. Many of us have that scene imbedded in our minds in the 1956 epic movie, Ten Commandments of Moses, played by Charlton Heston, where God inscribes the Commandments with fire from His fingertips on the stone tablets.

However, the Ten Commandments given were just the beginning of the laws that God had given to the Jews. The Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Pentateuch, contained much more than those ten.

The Old Testament laws covered a myriad of issues covering human behavior, judging crimes, marriage, civic laws, financial concerns and even religious regulations to include animal sacrifices, tabernacle procedures, offerings, feasts, Sabbath behavior and regulations and the list goes on and on. According to Jewish tradition, the Torah contains 613 commandments in those first five books of the Old Testament.

Back then, a Jew’s religious life was measured by how he or she kept the 613 laws and commandments. The degree of his or her devotion to Jehovah was judged and evidenced, according to the religious mindset, by the keeping of the Torah’s guidelines and regulations. This mindset carried into the time of Jesus Christ when He ministered in Palestine. It was this religious and legalistic thinking that the Sadducees and the Pharisees, the Jewish religious leaders, adhered to and demanded from the Jews, that Jesus contended with. To much of Jesus’ time was sadly occupied with calling out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders and their demand that the Jews legalistically keep all of the 613 commandments.

And then on one occasion when battling with the Sadducees and the Pharisees, Jesus cuts the list of six-hundred and thirteen laws down to two.

³⁴ But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. ³⁵ Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

³⁷ Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
(Matthew 22:34-40)

Of all of the 613 commandments contained in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, Jesus reduces that demanding list down to two. And He makes it so simple: love God and love people. And, as translated with the New Living Translation, Jesus says, “The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (v.40). From six-hundred and thirteen down to two – love God and love people.

My friends, let’s keep following Jesus simple – love God and love people. Scratch focusing on the 613 or even on the 10. Keep it simple – love God and love people.

Subscribe now

The Gospel of Matthew chapter twenty-one, records the well-known event of Jesus cleansing the temple in Jerusalem of greed and corruption.

¹² Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. ¹³ And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

In short, Jewish worshippers from foreign countries, who had traveled to Jerusalem to worship at the temple, had to purchase animals for sacrificing at the temple. The “money changers” exchanged foreign currency for Roman currency in order for the pilgrims to purchase the required sacrificial animals but at an exorbitant and inflated rate. Greed and thievery.

In addition, the merchants selling the animals in the temple area were selling cattle, sheep and doves to the worshippers at an extremely higher price than outside of the temple area. More greed and more thievery.

On top of everything, the temple priests were aware of the thievery and greed that was taking place, and more than likely, were themselves receiving a financial kickback from the money exchangers and the merchants. Corruption.

All of this was happening at the temple when Jesus arrived, and it angered Him to the point that He flipped over the tables of those who were exchanging the money and selling the animals. John’s Gospel records that Jesus, “When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple…” (John 2:15). He then said, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves’ ” (Matthew 21:13).

The other three Synoptic Gospels (Mark, Luke and John) record the same event, but only Matthew’s Gospel reports something revealing that takes place immediately following Jesus’ cleansing of the temple.

Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them (Matthew 21:14; bold emphasis added).

Take notice of the adverb, then, which means, at that time; soon after that; next in order of time; following next. In other words, after Jesus cleans out the temple of the greed, thievery and the corruption, those who needed healing came into the temple area and were now able to receive healing from Jesus.

Was it a coincidence that immediately following the cleansing of the temple, Jesus’ “house,” that “the blind and the lame” were able to come to Jesus in the temple and receive healing? I think not. Human greed and religious corruption seemingly were preventing true ministry from taking place in the house of God. It could be implied that only when these ungodly conditions were removed, only then, could the presence and the power of God be released to bring true ministry.

Without conjecturing too much into today’s seemingly lack of healings and miracles within the Church of America, could there possibly be a correlation between the times of Jesus and today? Is it possible that within the Church today there is enough human greed and religious corruption present that could hold back the abundance of signs and wonders that took place in Jesus’ ministry as well as throughout the Book of Acts? Just asking. Just wondering. Hmmm. Think about it. Pray about it.

Subscribe now

Not only does Jesus tell His followers that they are to see themselves as a “servant” and a “slave,” He points out that He too sees Himself as the same.

Jesus’ Claim

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

Jesus’ Example

³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, ⁴ rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. ⁵ After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. ⁶ Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” (John 13:3-6)

Jesus’ Example is Ours to Imitate

⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)

In the Matthew 20 narrative, Jesus uses two words, “servant” and “slave.” They are similar in purpose and function but have separate distinctions. Let’s define each according to the Greek language, in which the New Testament was primarily written.

“Servant” (Greek, diakonos), an attendant or a waiter and is concerned with the menial tasks and the needs of others. It speaks of the service that one provides for others. This word was applied to New Testament references of a teacher, a pastor, a minister, or a deacon.

“Slave” (Greek, doulos), emphasizes one’s submission to another’s will, especially in relationship with the Lord. Most New Testament writers referred to themselves a “Bondservants.” (e.g. Paul - Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1; James - James 1:1; Peter - 2 Peter 1:1; Jude - Jude 1)

Here are some characteristics applied to both servants and slaves.

• He was bought by another and is owned by that person

• He had no ownership (possessions or his own life); everything
  belonged to the master, the owner

• He was subjected to and submitted his will to the owner

• He performed tasks at the direction of the owner

• He did not demand his rights because he had none

• His only ambition in life was to fulfill the desires and purposes of his master

So, how do you and I as followers of Jesus Christ and as members of the Body of Christ, see ourselves? If it is other than being a “servant” or a “slave,” then we’ve missed what Jesus was teaching His disciples of greatness in the Kingdom of God. Let’s look at Jesus’ words once more. (I’ll add in the Greek words of distinctions.)

²⁶ “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant [diakonos – attendant; waiter]. ²⁷ And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave [doulos – slave; bondman; servant] ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served [diakoneo], but to serve [diakoneo], and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)

Serve on my fellow servants and slaves of the Lord and of the Body of Christ.

It seems like one of the problems in most organizations is the presence of it’s members trying to “climb the ladder” or at least, attempting to be more important than others. Whether it’s in an educational setting, in any workplace, or sad to say, even in a ministry setting, there are those who aspire to be considered greater or more important than others. The higher the title and the position, the more prestigious they feel. To finally attain the position of being a supervisor, a manager, and especially the CEO of a company, is to feel powerful and above everyone else. The mentality is that the subordinates are there to serve those who are at the top of the ladder. Those on the bottom rungs are expected to meet the needs as well as to fulfill the desires, commands and the orders of those at the top.

Sad to say, Jesus’ disciples were thinking like this. The mother of James and John came to Jesus asking if her sons could be vice presidents in His kingdom. (Well, not exactly VPs, but close to it. See Matthew 14:21.) It’s comical that the other ten disciples became really upset when they heard what the two brother’s mom asked of Jesus. (They probably wanted to same – to be the most important and the most prominent – but James’ and John’s mother beat them to asking Jesus.)

Jesus then turns the power bidding amongst the Twelve into a teachable moment.

²⁵ But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. ²⁶ But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. ²⁸ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The NKJV translates verses 26 as, “…whoever desires to become great among you…”

As to Jesus, greatness in the Kingdom of God is not measured by position, prestige or power, but by servitude and waiting on the needs of others. Importance and greatness in God’s kingdom are measured by titles like “servant” and “slave” – both of which are primarily concerned about serving the interests of others.

To be continued…

Subscribe now

There is a situation recorded in Matthew 17 that revealed a short coming in Jesus’ disciples and is a revelation of the same deficiency that Jesus’ followers have today. It is an area of weakness in our walk as believers that we have that needs to be developed and matured. What is it? Let’s briefly look into this account with the Lord’s disciples and see exactly what that weakness is.

In Matthew 17, a man comes to Jesus with his demonized son whom he claims he had earlier brought to Jesus’ disciples for healing, but as he says, “but they couldn’t heal him” (v.16).

Seemingly annoyed with His disciples, Jesus harshly rebukes them by saying, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you?” (v.17) Whoa!

Jesus then takes matters in His own hands and sets the boy free and heals him unlike what the disciples could not do previously.

Then we read: “Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” (v.20) To which Jesus answers, “You don’t have enough faith…” (v.21). The NKJV translates Jesus’ statement as, “Because of your unbelief…” which is really what a lack of faith is.

This reality of the disciples not having enough faith or even lacking faith was a short coming that they had displayed several times earlier. In the Gospel of Matthew, we see these occasions. (Emphasis mine)

• When wondering how the disciples were going to feed the multitudes, we read, ⁷ “At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. ⁸ Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, ‘You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread?’” (16:7-8)

• When Peter began to sink after walking on water, we read, “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?’” (14:31)

• In the storm on the sea when Jesus was sleeping in the boat, we read, “Jesus responded, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.” (8:26)

Yes, the disciples of Jesus, at times, were deficient in the level of their faith. There were times when unbelief was more prevalent within them than in believing what the Lord could do. If we are honest with ourselves, the same can be said of our faith level.

Yes, like the disciples of Jesus back then, so as Jesus’ disciples today, we have room to grow in our faith level. And as we continue to mature in our faith in the Lord, our level of faith will continue to develop. We will become stronger in our belief of who and what Jesus is and what He can and will do.

In Mark’s Gospel, a desperate father of a demonized son, makes a request of Jesus that really could be our request too.

²³ “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” ²⁴ The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24 NKJV)

Check out this song entitled, Firm Foundation.

Someone once said, "If Jesus died for me, then I will live for Him." There's a lot of truth in that statement because there is a cost to being a follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus said to His disciples:

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross,
and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24).

Being a true disciple of Jesus is a total life commitment that encompasses every aspect of one's life. From what the Lord said here, it does not allow for a casual or a convenient relationship with the crucified and resurrected Savior of our lives. The price to follow the Lord is extremely costly and our decision to be His followers must not be made lightly.

Let us look at Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 16:24 to be His followers and what exactly that decision entails.

• "If anyone desires to come after Me."

The NLT puts Jesus' words this way, "If any of you wants to be my follower…" You see, when we decided to become a disciple or a follower of Jesus, in essence, we decided to relinquish the lordship and the control of our very lives over to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Theoretically, we then are no longer in control of our lives nor are we the master of our lives – Jesus is.

• "Let him deny himself."

The NLT says, "You must give up your own way." Hmmm. It's getting more transparent about the actual cost of following Jesus. To "deny" oneself is to put aside one's desires and adopt the desires of Jesus for one's life. It translates into what He wants as opposed to what we want.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…" The word "kingdom" here means a king's rule and reign.

So, to "deny" oneself is to put aside one's personal ambitions and goals and adopt those of King Jesus.

• "Take up his cross."

Simply put, the "cross" speaks of crucifixion and death – that's our crucifixion and our death. The apostle Paul clarifies what exactly is being put on the cross: "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20 NLT).

Paul explained, "We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ…" (Romans 6:6 NLT).

• "And follow Me."

To follow Jesus is to follow Him wherever that path may lead. More than likely, to wholeheartedly follow Jesus will include suffering, being persecuted, being hated, falsely accused, and even being rejected. I could possibly even include martyrdom – being killed for being a Christian.

So, deciding to follow Jesus is no small life choice. It will cost us everything.

I close with the old hymn: I have decided to follow Jesus.

I have decided, to follow Jesus;
I have decided, to follow Jesus;
I have decided, to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

Tho' none go with me, still I will follow;
Tho' none go with me, still I will follow;
Tho' none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

Subscribe now

Jesus never side stepped or beat around the bush regarding serious issues. He always spoke the truth with clarity. Such was the case in Matthew 15 when Jesus addressed the source of evil.

¹⁸ “But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. ¹⁹ For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.”

As per Jesus’ words, at the heart of “evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander,” is within “the heart” of a person.

The prophet Jeremiah verifies what Jesus said about the sinful condition of our hearts.

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Yes, our hearts are seriously bad and causes us to do some pretty bad stuff, but there is hope – God can change our hearts. As a matter of fact, He can give us a new heart.

Listen to the Lord speaking through the prophet Ezekiel.

“Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19 NKJV).

Ezekiel takes it even further in Ezekiel 36:26.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (NKJV)

King David, repenting of his adulterous affair with Bathsheba, prayed:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God…” (Psalm 51:10a NKJV)

The reality is that every one of us has been with a sinful nature which includes a sinful heart, but the Good News is that Jesus, our Savior, can give us a spiritual heart transplant. As the Lord spoke through Ezekiel:

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (NKJV)

The Apostle John told us:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NKJV).

And as Paul tells us:

“ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Yes, Jesus was correct when He said how nasty our hearts can be, but it is through Jesus that our hearts can be changed. It’s through Jesus that we can have a spiritual heart transplant.

I’ll close with a song from Ezekiel 11 and 36 that the Lord gave me.

Subscribe now

Like Noah, Abraham, Joshua, Gideon, David and Peter, God will ask some of us to do something that is beyond our experience, ability and our comfort zone. Like Peter, God will ask us to “walk on water,” but in order to do that, we will have to get out of the boat.

“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat…” (v.22)

The “boat” is a type that represents:

• Safety

• Security

• Familiarity

• Experience

• Comfort Zone

The “boat” could be:

• Our job

• Our familiar surroundings

• Our family and friends

• Our talents

• Our abilities

• Our experience

Your “boat” is…

• What we are used to

• What we are comfortable with

• What we find security in

• What we have been doing for a long time

Your “boat” could be good, but it might not be the best that God has for you now. The “boat” might have been good for you and me at that period of time in your life, but it might not be where we are to stay and remain.

Walking on water represents…

• A God-given task that’s hard and difficult

• A seemingly impossible goal

• A new assignment that is way over your head

• What God has placed in your heart

Walking on water…

• Is contrary to the norm

• Not always popular

• Not “politically correct”

• Not always logical

• For sure, is never easy

Like Peter, for you and me, getting out of the boat and walking on water means saying “Good-bye” but also saying “Hello.”

• Good-bye to his fears and insecurities

• Good-bye to his safety and comfort zones

• Good-bye to his friends (distractions, faith robbers)

• Good-bye to normal living
  

• Hello to new opportunities

• Hello to a life of taking risks while trusting in God

• Hello to walking by faith

• Hello to seeing the impossible become possible

Any potential Water Walkers out there? Come on and join me. Let’s get out of the boat and walk on water.

Subscribe now