Blog -Bible Daily Bread Devotional (BDBD)

The Pharisees and all the Jews held onto traditions that many began believing were as important as the Law of Moses. They considered these traditions a form of worship. (Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:3) For example, “When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.” (Mark 7:4)

One day, a Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him. He noticed that Jesus did not engage in their ceremonial washings. Jesus’s response deserves considerable self-examination.

Jesus replied, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” God considers what is inside more important than religious ceremonies, traditions, and practices. Love and charity are more important than ceremony.

“What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.'” (Mark 7:20-23)

Jesus continues his response to those who ask for a sign from heaven (16).

First, he uses the similitude and proverb in verse 33. Jesus would give no sign to them to show that he was the Messiah at this time because it would do no good. Jesus preached and did works openly, not in secret. The light is already shining brightly and they choose to remain in the dark.

The blessed who hear the word of God and obey it, as stated in verse 28 come to him, see the light, and believe. Blessed are those who see, believe, practice, and share the light with others.

Second, Jesus uses the parable in verses 34 to 36 to say their problem is with their eyes. Though it receives the light it chooses not to see it. What the eyes see, if we choose to accept it will affect our whole being. If when we see Jesus and accept the light of truth the power of the Holy Spirit will enter our soul and we will be whole.

What the eye is to the body, so the soul (the mind, will, and affections) is to the whole person. If those who asked for a sign from heaven will only regard His work and teaching without prejudice, then their own consciences will testify that Jesus has a real mission from God.

Look around and consider carefully what is seen. For soon the light will be no more, the sun will set and your day will be over.

When the religious leaders claimed Jesus was driving out demons by Beelzebub’s authority, they also tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. When they said, “…from heaven,” they meant something that clearly only God could do. They believed that Satan would command other demons to come out of someone. Jesus taught the silliness of that statement. Then he answered their request for a sign from heaven.

As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” A man coming out of the mouth of a fish after being in its belly for three days, marching into an enemy capital city, and preaching repentance or punishment will come is clearly a sign of heaven. Satan could not and would not do that. That is the sign that Jesus’ generation would receive.

Jesus was saying that he would die, be buried for three days, and then come out of the tomb, which is the mouth of the earth. Only God could do that. But even then the religious leaders would not believe that Jesus is the Messiah of God. Miraculous signs from God are not enough for a hard and proud heart to believe.

Jesus continues by telling those who rejected him that the people of Nineveh will stand up, meaning rise from the dead at judgment with this generation and condemn it. They repented at the preaching of Jonah, the man who came forth from the mouth of a fish, and now Jesus who is greater than Jonah is among them and they rejected him.

Jesus’s parable illustrates what will happen to a person and society that does not have God’s presence after it has been freed of demons. Jesus continues to address the comment that he drives out demons with the power of Satan.

When asked Jesus will drive out a demon. That is only the beginning of a life’s restoration. A person’s actions and thoughts must be cleaned up and kept clean. I need to keep my side of the street clean. Most importantly one must allow God and his word to dwell in the heart. The Spirit of God will live in the heart if allowed.

When the Holy Spirit lives in the heart, a demon will not enter. Satan cannot creep in, stay in, and plant thoughts in the brain if the Holy Spirit dwells. Oil and water do not mix. Satan will constantly bombard a person from the outside, but he will never live where the Holy Spirit dwells.

However, when the evil spirit returns and finds the Holy Spirit is not allowed in, it will bring seven more wicked with it to dwell in the same person. The person has a relapse and life spirals down again. All improvement is lost. Yet, hope remains for God through the grace offered because of Jesus will forgive again when a heart is humble and asks for help a second and third time.

Jesus teaches through a parable that he has ultimate power. Jesus attacks Satan who also has power. Jesus overpowers Satan and utterly defeats him. Thus, Jesus rescues people from Satan’s evil rule. Satan never wins.

Addressing the religious leaders, Jesus also teaches that a person is either against him or for him. Neutrality does not exist. The one who does not intentionally support Jesus opposes him. Is a person who goes to church, but does nothing in the kingdom of God neutral? No.

I was captive in Satan’s dungeons. Jesus defeated Satan and rescued me. He brought me into his fold and made me a citizen of the kingdom of God. Jesus always wins. Why would I return to the dungeon?

Jesus is full of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit knows everyone’s thoughts to the deepest crevices, the dark hidden places, thoughts that haunt our every moment, and the soul’s joy. So, Jesus knew the thoughts of those who came to him. Jesus knows every thought through the Spirit right now.

The jealous and fearful religious leaders were attempting to rationalize their objections to Jesus with the opinion that Jesus was driving out unclean spirits by Satan. They could not accept that Jesus had authority over all spirits because he was the Messiah and the Lord of Israel, the heavens, and all the earth. Jesus points out the ridiculous assumptions they made about the kingdom of Satan.

Jesus first tells the religious leaders and all who want to hear that Satan leads a kingdom. If Satan drove out those who followed him he would cause division that would turn into insurrection and civil war that would eventually end the kingdom of Satan. If Satan gave power to Jesus, who opposed him in every way, Satan would be supporting an attack on himself through his enemy.

Secondly, Jesus points out that some of their followers had driven out demons. Jesus did not say whether the followers of the Pharisees actually drove out demons, but they claimed to drive them out by the power of God, and Jesus claimed the same. So to accuse Jesus of using Satanic power was implicitly to condemn their own followers as well.

Jesus firmly states that he drives out demons with the finger of God. This is nothing for God Almighty. Jesus’ word is the finger of God.

Jesus had been driving out demons for three years. So did the twelve and the seventy-two when he sent them out. Now a great crowd followed him. The religious leaders were jealous. Their pride and pay were hurt. They attacked Jesus’s character and ministry. They claimed, “By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” (15; Matthew 12:24) Other people tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. (16) They believed and spread the gossip that Jesus was a fraud, not sent by God, and working with evil forces.

The very people God chose to be a witness to the world opposed Jesus every chance they could. They had no evidence that their statements and beliefs were true. They relied on their religious institutions and propaganda to keep them in the people’s favor.

I must always examine my heart to see why I say what I do and why I do what I do. The religious leaders believed God called them to instruct and lead the people. As their power and influence increased, so did pride and fear increased in their soul. Pride and fear began controlling their actions. Good intentions not rutted in the work God has established will drive a person to oppose God’s work.

Jesus’ teaching in these three verses is among the best that illustrates prayer is a religious word that means personal communication with God, my Father. The communication is similar to that of a father with a child. It is not business communication. It is not a drama or a play. It is not a political or legal exchange. Prayer is an exchange between parent and child, creator with creation, exulted with blessed. Prayer is personable, emotional, honest, logical, and open communion.

Jesus is conveying to his disciples to have prayer boldness, persistence, and assurance that God answers his children. Jesus’ teaching is that if a loving human father who has flaws and sins (evil from God’s perspective) gives good gifts when asked, then how much more will my Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?

The Lord’s prayer in verses 2 through 4 does not include asking for the Holy Spirit. Yet, here Jesus is saying God will give the Holy Spirit if I ask. The Holy Spirit is the highest gift that God the Father can give. As fish and eggs sustain physical life, so the Holy Spirit sustains spiritual life in a very personal, loving, and powerful way. Ask and you will receive. Be persistent and wait for the Lord to supply. The disciples would not receive the Holy Spirit until Pentecost, four to six months from this moment.

I ask for what I wish, seek for what I miss, and knock for that from which I feel shut out. Jesus gives assurance that I will receive, find, and the door will be opened. The point in these two verses is confidence and faith in God.

I have owned a coo-coo clock for many years. The other day, I was changing the time after a long vacation trip when the hour arm snapped off. It flew quicker than my eye could see. I heard, “Ting,” for it hit something somewhere in the direction I logically believed it had flown. I did not see it, but I believe it went that way.

Not much was in the direction I logically concluded it flew. However, when I looked and looked again it was not to be seen. Still, I cannot find it. Every once in a while I know I will look for it again in the hope that it can be found. The clock will not be whole and correct until its hour arm is back on. I cannot be sure I will ever find the coo-coo clock hour arm.

However, Jesus wants me to be sure that I will get what I ask God for. I just need to be persistent in faith. I am reminded of the Syrophoenician woman who was persistent in asking Jesus to heal her daughter of demon possession. “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” (Matthew 15:27; Mark 7:28)

Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

After Jesus taught his disciples topics to include in their conversations with God he told some parables. The first concerns a friend who comes asking at midnight for food to serve to an unexpected traveling friend. He is not asking for selfish things. He is asking so he can help another.

“Yo, neighbor,” he calls as he bangs on the door and repeatedly rings the bell. “Open the door man. I know you are home.” He looks in the window. Across the street, a light turns on a porch. “Come on man. Open the door. I need food, three loaves of bread will do. My buddy showed his face at my door, stopping while on a journey. He’s hungry and I do not have anything to give him, not even leftover pizza crust. You and I ate up all my food at the game party on Sunday.”

An answer comes over the door speaker. Another light turns on across the street. “Stop ringing the bell fool. The security system is set, the doors are all locked and the kids are down for the night. Leave me be. They got school tomorrow and I gotta go to work early. Leave me be. I cannot give you anything.” The friend at the door rings the doorbell a few more times. “I am not leaving till you give me the food.” His friend inside gets up and supplies what is asked for.

Jesus makes the point of this parable in verse 8. The man inside would not give him what he requested because they were friends. Yet, he was forced to give what was requested because the friend urgently pressed the point to annoyance. He was persistent.

Therefore, keep asking again and again, and continue in prayer. Apostle Paul wrote, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)

Jesus taught this prayer to his followers, those seeking to learn from and follow him. After Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist he was full of the Holy Spirit. Luke 4:11-12 states, “Jesus… was led by the Spirit into the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.” Perhaps Jesus was thinking of this when he taught his disciples to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Some old manuscripts do not have the last half of that verse.) The period of temptation was hard.

God does not tempt (James 1:13). The devil and those who follow him are the tempters (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5). Temptation’s power over me is only when I have an evil desire. If I had no evil desire, then I could easily resist temptation. Temptation would have no power over me. If an evil desire remains in my soul, then I can fall when tempted (James 1:14).

Maturity in the Lord contains the moral strength to resist sin. Defeating the tempter is resisting sin which is hard. Adam and Eve did not resist temptation’s allure. Their desire led to sin, and their sin led to death (James 1:15). Growth to maturity continues when I am tempted and resist its allure. I fight off the evil desire in my soul. When I pass the test, the evil desire is reduced in power over me. Do not entertain the evil desire in my mind. If I do, then the power of evil increases. Then, when tempted I am less likely to resist that which destroys soul, body, mind, family, and society.

Jesus taught his disciples what to pray, including asking God for the forgiveness of sins against him (4a). Then he taught them to tell God, “…for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.” The original Greek reads, “…for we forgive everyone who is indebted to us,” which is like Matthew 6:12, “…as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Sin is a debt, to be either paid back or as Jesus teaches to be pardoned. If someone sincerely apologizes and asks me to forgive them, then I am to forgive.

We are not making a request for a debt against me can only be forgiven by me. Rather, Jesus intends me to declare a statement of truth, a confession that am doing to others what was done unto me. Jesus used several parables to get this message to sink into thick skulls and hard hearts. Many messages have been given on love; God’s love, and how I am to love. Well, one way I am to love is to forgive others.

Jesus makes it clear, the two go hand in hand. I should not ask for forgiveness and then not forgive others. If I am expecting God to forgive me, then I better forgive those who owe me. Not only is forgiving others good for others but forgiving others is good for me. For one thing, it teaches me just how hard forgiving me is for God. And in some cases forgiving a debt someone owes me could be similar to sacrificing that which I love. Can I so carelessly ignore God’s sacrifice to forgive me?

“And forgive us our sin” is a direct word-for-word translation from the original Greek, “Kai aphiemi hemin hemon hamartia” (a transliteration). There are no extra words and no excluded words. To appreciate what is being asked of God, I need to understand and accept that I possess sin (hamartia). So, what is sin? What is hamartia (“Chata” in Hebrew.)?

“Hamartia” and “chata” literally mean “to miss the mark”. When these words are used to describe sin, they mean that the person has missed the mark that God has established for the person’s life and being. It does not mean that I discover who I am, sin and all, and accept that this is how I was made and intended to be. I was not made to sin, that is I was not made to miss the mark. Rather, I chose sin. I chose not to live to God’s potential and intent for me. Sin is choosing to miss the mark I can hit. And that mark is good. God’s mark for me is not bad, wrong, or misfortune. God’s mark for me is goodness and good accomplished. All humans except Jesus missed God’s personal mark for them. Therefore, sin is more than violating God’s law.

Sin this like this. I create an item to do something specific and good. My creation is perfectly made to accomplish my intent and that intent is good for the item I created. I give that device the ability to make choices. From the beginning, the item makes choices that keep it from meeting the good intent that it was made for. The choices rotten the device to a point where it is incapable of completing its good and perfect intended purpose. The device missed the mark and in the process destroyed itself.

When I say, “And forgive me my sin” I am asking for absolution and to be made right again.

Jesus continues teaching his disciples the topics that are important to pray about. He had mentioned these prayer topics including a few more during The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:9-13). “Give us each day our daily bread,” is stated both times.

God is the one who gives me food including physical bread. The Lord God gave the Israelites a substance to eat that was like unleavened bread while they were in the desert after they left Egypt. The Israelites called it manna (Exodus 16:31). Manna came with eating instructions that included only collecting enough for each day except Friday and Saturday (Sabbath). On the Sabbath, no bread would appear on the desert floor, so they were to take a double portion on Friday.

After Jesus fed the 5,000 who sat all day to listen to his teaching he left them. They followed because they wanted more free food. They asked for manna like their forefathers had been given (John 6:30-31). “Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world… I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:32-33, 35)

Jesus is life. In him is the life of men. Without him I am dead. Without Jesus in me, I will die and my body will decay. With Jesus I am. Without Jesus, I am not.

Conversations with God His Father were an essential and desired part of Jesus’ life. For three years, his disciples watched him pray in solitude. John the Baptist also prayed and taught his disciples to pray. Now Jesus’s disciples asked him to teach them how to pray.

Elsewhere, Jesus taught them when and where to pray. He also gave them examples of what not to do when praying. Here, he started by giving them an example of what to pray about.

“Father…” God is my loving Father. He gives and maintains my existence. He is the breath of life. He provides substance. He disciplines me. He teaches me. He is always with me. Most of all, he loves me, as all righteous fathers do. All he does is based on love. God my Father so loved me that he sent his one and only Son to die for me. As was done for me, so I should do to others.

My heavenly Father is holy. Holiness is being perfect, transcendent, and pure, thus evoking adoration and reverence. My holy Father, God evokes respect, reverence, and awe. He is frightening beyond belief. He is perfect power, wisdom, existence, and perfect love and beauty. My Father, God is life, the desire of all mankind. God is ecstasy perfection.

My Father is invincible. He has an everlasting kingdom beyond human imaginations of holy perfection. His kingdom has been coming and will continue to come. No power in heaven, earth, or hell can prevail against my Father’s kingdom. He is always advancing. He is never retreating. His perfect love cannot be denied.

God is, always has been, and always will be my Father.

Martha and Mary both loved Jesus. Martha opened her house to him and his disciples. Martha wanted to be a good host, so she was busy with all the preparations that had to be made. Mary listened to Jesus while sitting at his feet. She was listening carefully to what Jesus said.
Martha was upset with Mary because she wasn’t helping her with the preparations. She did not say anything to Mary about it, but she did say something to Jesus. She complained. She was hurt. She believed Jesus didn’t care for her because Mary wasn’t helping and he did nothing about it. Martha felt less than. Martha was worried and upset.
Jesus acknowledged Martha’s feelings. He knew she was preparing food for him and his disciples. However, he said, “Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” I cry because I identify with Martha. I am always busy with the Lord’s work. I need to make sure I do the one thing that is needed, listen to Jesus at his feet; meditate, pray, and study.

Jesus explained to a self-righteous religious leader, a Bible teacher what love for a neighbor is with a now well-known parable. It is known as “The Parable of the Good Samaritan”.

Jesus and the Bible expert agreed that if a person loved God and neighbor they would inherit eternal life. Jesus told him if he did this he would live. The Bible teacher was challenged because he knew that he did not love everyone all the time. They had just entered Samaria. He, like most Jews of the day, did not love Samaritans. In fact, many hated Samaritans. So here he stood wanting to test Jesus (25) and instead found himself tested.

The religious Bible teacher tried to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” He would have taught others that a neighbor is a person we know. Religious teachers in that day said, “A stranger and an enemy are not our neighbors. We do not have to love them.” Jesus with this famous parable states that my neighbor includes strangers and enemies. Samaritans and Jews were practically enemies. Yet, the Samaritan in the parable showed mercy to a Jew when a Jewish Levite and Jewish Priest did not.

Jesus taught simply during the Sermon on the Mount. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)

When I am asked similar questions twice, I grow annoyed. When I am asked a third time, I grow tired of answering. However, Jesus finds new ways to articulate an answer when asked similar questions over and over again. Jesus was often asked, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? and, “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment?” Many believe that practically applying the answer to the latter is the answer to the first.

The rich young man in Matthew 19:16 asked the first because he kept the latter. Then an expert in the law asked the second believing he could obtain the first by keeping the latter (Matthew 22:36 and Mark 12:28). Now another expert in the law who was listening to Jesus stood and asked the first because like the rich young ruler, he wanted to obtain eternal life. Jesus’ answer is remarkable. Luke is the only one to record this exchange.

When the expert in the law asked the question that binds humanity, “How to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied with two questions. “What is written in the Law?” Then Jesus personalized it, “How do you read it?” Of course, an expert in the Low of Moses would have greatly studied this subject, because he would have been asked this. He answered Jesus from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.

Jesus agreed. “Do this and you will live.” If I were to stop there and read no more I could wonder how does this not conflict with, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith, – and this not from yourself, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) No conflict exists with the two statements for the person who acknowledges their inability to keep perfectly the requirements of eternal life, love God and love neighbor. I try, but am unable to do these all the time. Jesus perfectly illustrates this to the man who did not accept his inability to love God and people perfectly all the time. This is in tomorrow’s BDBD.

What is hidden and what is exposed is the subject of Jesus’s joy through the Holy Spirit. God reveals the truth to whom he chooses when he chooses. The hidden thing that Jesus refers to is Satan falling from heaven as fast as lightning because Jesus gave authority to the laymen evangelists in his care to drive out demons. The Father committed this authority to Jesus and Jesus confirms it to those he chooses. They were not wise and learned. They are his little children.

Jesus’s statement, “No one knows the Son except the Father” is shocking because we Christians say we have a personal relationship with Jesus. Yet, he says none of us knows him. But this is unsurprising when I think about my relationship with my children and wife. I have a personal relationship with them, but I do not know them. I know some things about them, but I do not know their thoughts, I often do not understand the motivation of their actions, and I often wonder what they think. Why do I think these things? Because I really do not know them.

Jesus continues the hidden which he exposes with, “No one knows the Father except the Son and those whom the Son chooses to reveal him” Jesus confirms that he and he alone are the only true source of information about the Father. The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent after he ascended into heaven, is in fact the Spirit of Christ. Thus the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, is the one that now reveals the Father to us, and the words of Christ recorded in the Bible are also the way we can learn of the Father, but without the moving of the Holy Spirit in our hearts the words I read would be misinterpreted.

The laymen evangelist teams were joyful when they returned because demons submitted to them in his name. Jesus acknowledged that Satan fell as fast as lightning from heaven because of their work that trampled on snakes and scorpions. Jesus described the evil spirits who rebel against God as the lowest and most dangerous of creatures in Palestine. As a warning to spiritual pride, he tells them what is joy worthy. It isn’t that demons submit. He says, “Rather, rejoice that your name is written in heaven.”

Jesus gives each believer a mission and all that is needed to accomplish that mission. The mission will have difficulties. He calls mission, “carrying your cross daily.” The ability to achieve that mission is only possible because God gives me the authority, power, and all that is needed for me to accomplish the mission. I should be thankful. But never prideful as I have seen some “successful” clergy and staff do.

I am glad that my name is written in heaven. I have teary joy that I have a place in heaven, a home where I am welcomed and loved. Heaven is a place where my Father and my Lord and Master are. They know me and acknowledge me. They do not judge me. They shepherd me.

Jesus is still instructing the seventy-two laymen evangelists before they enter the Samarian mission field. They are to be attentive to the people’s reaction to the good news. If the town welcomes them they are to eat what is given them, heal the sick, and preach, “The kingdom of God is near you.” They are to practice what Jesus has taught and teach what Jesus has practiced.

Jesus tells the seventy-two (or seventy) that if the people of a town reject their message they are to give a non-violent visual display of the result of rejection. The town can keep its dirt because even the dirt will not be part of the kingdom of God. Even though the town rejects them, the disciples are to preach, “The kingdom of God is near.” Perhaps one or two will leave the town to walk with the disciples.

Jesus’ instruction continues with the theme of the outcome of those who reject or accept the message of the kingdom of God. The disciples are not to take the rejection personally. Jesus preached and performed many miracles in Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. Many there did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. The citizens of these Jewish towns will find it worse on the day of Judgement than the gentile towns of Tyre and Sidon. Jesus visited those towns and did few miracles and many believed (Mark 3:8, 7:24-37).

As I dispense the message of Jesus and his kingdom Jesus says, “He who listens to me listens to Jesus; he who rejects me rejects Jesus; but he who rejects Jesus rejects him who sent Jesus.” I do not need to be apologetic or sentimental.

Jesus gives the thirty-six laymen evangeliic (i.e., missionaries to their region) pairs some instructions before they go to their mission field. I, like most Christians, am a layman evangelist; that is, I do not receive pay from my local congregation. I can learn some good advice from this on how to obtain a hundredfold crop.

Jesus does not give a detailed plan for which village to visit and when to do so, nor does He tell them which towns to avoid. He simply said, “Every town and place where I am about to go.” (It isn’t a quote, only Luke’s comment.)

First, I must show love and respect to those who accept the good news Jesus taught me. I am to bless them verbally with words of peace. I am to love them as I have been and still am loved. They may or may not accept the mission of grace. I am not to grow angry or seek revenge. Instead, I am to expect to remain a man of peace.

I am to accept where God opens the door by staying where he opens people’s hearts. If a ministry is bearing fruit, then water and fertilize it. Sure, some aspects may be unpleasant for a while, like learning Java and Perl (HTML and CSS were not as bad). Yet, God has appointed me and is working through me. I am blessed.

So keep working in the field that shows eternal kingdom potential. If I receive support from his work then thank God and be blessed. However, in over thirty years of online evangelical ministry, I have never received enough to pay the mission bills let alone eat and drink from offerings. Still, I see many coming every day to read and hear the good news. So, I stay in the house of online ministry, the modern-day tent evangelism. Personally, I believe that tent evangelism is better because it was more personal. However, that type of ministry was my before and my now is as God instructed me through a pastor to begin an online ministry. I am staying in this house now.

Before Jesus went through Samaria, he sent 36 pairs (seventy-two lay persons) ahead of the group traveling with him. The twelve apostles were not sent with them. The laymen were instructed to go into every town and place where he was about to go. Luke did not use a Greek adjective that would designate them as men. Rather, he used the adjective “heteros” which could include male and female, though considering the culture none were probably a pair of women.

With a passion for bringing many people into the kingdom of God through faith in him, Jesus regretted that not enough had accepted his call to follow him. This is perhaps why Luke recorded right before this passage three rejecting the call and Jesus’s response to their rejection. Luke, as a layman, not a leader like the apostles understood the importance of accepting Jesus’ call to the laymen’s mission field.

Jesus told the seventy-two laymen, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Jesus refers to laymen as field workers. We are the ones who prepare the field, plant the seed, look for weeds, and harvest the crop which is actually little different than the call of the twelve.

A layman’s call is not easy. We are lambs working amongst wolves. We have to live by faith that the Lord will meet our personal financial needs and our mission’s financial needs. We live by faith, not by wealth’s strength. Our mission is a one-by-one encounter. We depend on God and the companion he calls to walk with us. Few laymen are remembered in history, yet church history would have stop if not for their continued mission work.

When people hear the good news, they either quickly reject it, accept it superficially, conditionally, or wholeheartedly and absolutely. Jesus’ parable of the soil types is meant to help those who follow him understand this and be prepared (Matthew 13, Mark 4).

Luke 14:25-34 records that Jesus will tell the crowds who follow him to Jerusalem short allegories concerning deciding to follow him. He concludes with, “…any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27, 33)

The first man publicly decided to follow Jesus wherever he would go. Jesus’ allegories of foxes and birds having homes and he does not are meant to tell the man that he must leave everything, expect not to return, and expect to live in uncomfortable and unpleasant places.

The second man Jesus invited to follow him. The man wanted to delay because he wanted to “bury his father”. It is unlikely his father had just died because he would have been too occupied with funeral preparations to see Jesus. Most likely he believed his father would die soon and he wanted to delay following Jesus till his father passed. Commonly, death is impossible to predict. It could have been years.

Jesus’s reply would be a stunning instruction to his fellow Jews, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Most in Jesus’ day considered burying their parents a commandment of the Law of Moses. Jesus told him that the spiritually dead could bury the physically dead, and the spiritually alive should preach the kingdom of God.

The third man publicly declared that he wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus’ answer is simple. As soon as I decide I am to be ready to work. The allegory of the plow reminds of Elisha being called by Elijah to follow him (1 Kings 19:19-20). Understand and be prepared mentally.

Samaria was a region sandwiched between Judea to the south and Galilee to the north. Perea was the eastern neighbor on the other side of the Jordan River and The Mediterranean Sea was its western shore.

The people of Samaria and the Jews had dissension since the time of King Solomon (John 4). The Jewish return from Babylon centuries later did not change the discord caused by social and religious differences. The disciples were no different than their fellow Jews.

Jesus however was different. Jesus did not exclude the Samaritans from his ministry during, as he called it, “The year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:19) As Jesus headed south from Mount Herman to Jerusalem he decided to pass through Samaria as he had done at least one time earlier. Jesus sent messengers on ahead to get things ready for him. At this time a crowd was following him (52).

The Samaritans in this village knew that the band of Jews preparing to stay in their town were going to The Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah, The Feast of Lights). The old differences of religious opinions arose mostly stemming from the fact that when Jews returned from Babylon centuries earlier excluded the Samaritans from helping in the rebuilding of the Temple. They did not welcome Jesus.

The Apostles James and John were fiery fellows. They asked Jesus if they could use their God-given power “to call fire down from heaven to destroy them.” (54) Elijah, the ancient prophet who lived in this area had done this (2 Kings 1:9-16). Luke records that Jesus rebuked them. This is probably how these two disciples were given the name “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17).

I learn two things. First, to use God’s given gifts as he intends them to be used, not for personal vendettas. Second, to be open-hearted and help those working in God’s mission field even if they are one of “me”.

Luke records in verse 51, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Luke marks time so the reader will relate to Jesus and the disciple’s mindset and heart. The two were very different. Jesus would leave and the disciples were not ready. For me to relate I need to understand what was happening at this time.

Luke uniquely records the events in verses 51-56 and many that follow, up to Luke 18:14. The unique accounts are mostly parables. The three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) record many prior events; Jesus sending out the twelve, feeding the 5,000, Peter’s confession, Jesus’ transfiguration, healing a boy with an evil spirit, and the disciple’s argument about who is the greatest. Then Luke records unique events until the Synoptic Gospels record the same event again, people bringing little children to Jesus (Luke 18:15, Matthew 19:13, and Mark 10:13).

The events are recorded only in Luke, which records Jesus’ trip from Galilee to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights). The festival is in December (winter in Palestine). John 10:22-39 records some of Jesus’ activities during the festival in Jerusalem. After Hanukkah Jesus stayed across the Jordan far east Judea (perhaps Perea), not near Jerusalem. (John 10:40-42)

Luke 13:22 marks Jesus’ final trip to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover, which is in the spring. Matthew 20:17 and Mark 10:1 also record the start of this final journey. Where he started is not clear but might be somewhere in the south of Galilee and north of Samaria (Luke 17:11). Jesus’ passion would be during the coming Passover, around four months from 9:51. Twice already Jesus told them what would come to pass. They did not understand Jesus. They held onto the false teachings about the Messiah taught by the religious leaders. They were not ready. They were about to be surprised, frightened, and crushed. They did not listen to Jesus. How many now have a wrong understanding of Jesus’ second coming?

Jesus’ teaching here is related to the former concerning the disciples’ pride. The Twelve were more exclusive than Jesus. Jesus’ disciples wanted to stop a man who they believed was practicing faith without Jesus’ official license and authority. He was not “one of them.” They were greater, and he was lesser, was the thought that drove the disciples to want to stop him. Happily, they asked Jesus before they stopped him.

Jesus told his disciples to not stop the man who was driving out demons in Jesus’ name. Then he gave them a brief lesson. “Whoever is not against you is for you.” Jesus contrasted the opposition the religious leaders were giving them because they were not taught by one of them to their request to stop the man acting in Jesus’ name because he was not one of them. The disciples’ hearts were fermenting the yeast of the religious leaders.

Institutionalized religious education has its benefits. However, it has just as many inherited problems and even hindrances to the spread of the gospel. Silo-authority mentality and niche-group practices can be more harmful to a believer than the threat of world mentality. Neither Jesus, John the Baptist, many of the prophets, and even the Twelve went to the equivalent of a seminary school in their time.

The disciples were presumptuously proud. They argued about who was the greatest among them (46; Mark 9:33-35). The argument came from their pride and ambitions. Pride is an arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment caused by a high opinion of oneself; our skills, accomplishments, state, possessions, or position. Pride is easier to recognize than define, easier to recognize in others than oneself.

Many biblical words describe this concept, each with its own emphasis. Some of the synonyms for pride include arrogance, presumption, conceit, self-satisfaction, boasting, and high-mindedness. It is the opposite of humility, the proper attitude one should have in relation to God. Pride is rebellion against God because it attributes to self the honor and glory due to God alone.

Jesus knew the disciples’ thoughts and hearts (47). Jesus does not want his disciples to be proud. So, he teaches me with a simple illustration with a child. “Then he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all–he is the greatest.'” Humility is the opposite of pride.

Proverbs 11:2 states, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” And Proverbs 22:4 promises, “Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.”

Jesus rebuked the evil (unclean, unholy) spirit. Jesus has authority over unholy demons because he is the ultimate power. Evil spirits fear his power. They leave when he says, “Leave” (Zechariah 3:2; Mark 1:25; Luke 4:25, 39; Jude 1:9). Luke states that the boy was healed. Jesus gave the boy back to his father. The people marveled at Jesus’ power and authority for the boy was cured.

While the people were distracted by amazement at Jesus’ power, Jesus pulled his disciples aside and told them, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” This was the second time Jesus told them (Luke 9:22), only this time he added, “Listen carefully…” Again, they did not understand for they did not consider it the first time they heard it. “In one ear and out the other,” as the old saying goes.

If the disciples had thought about what Jesus was saying at this miracle, they would have learned that Jesus could easily stop his suffering and crucifixion from happening. This would have saved them from confusion and humiliation when it happened.

When Jesus was arrested by the temple guards Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, probably a boy. Jesus did not command an army of angels to fight for him. He did not command his disples to fight for him. Instead, Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:11) Listen to Jesus today and not be ashamed tomorrow.

Jesus and three of his apostles came down the mountain after Jesus was transfigured to find a large crowd, confusion, and arguing. (Mark 9:14-15) The commotion centered around a father who wanted Jesus to drive an evil (unclean) spirit out of his boy.

The signs of demon possession in the New Testament include: speechlessness (Matthew 9:33); deafness (Mark 9:25); blindness (Matthew 12:22); fierceness (Matthew 8:28); unusual strength (Mark 5:4); convulsions (Mark 1:26); and foaming at the mouth (Luke 9:39). Most of the New Testament references to demon possession appear in the Gospels and represent the outburst of satanic opposition to God’s work in and through Christ. The gospel writers made clear distinctions between diseases and the work of demons in and through a person. (Matthew 4:23-24)

The nine apostles who did not go up the mountain could not drive the unclean spirit out (40). Interesting because a short while before when Jesus sent all twelve apostles out they could. (9:1-2, 6; Mark 6:7, 13; Matthew 10:1, 8) To them Jesus said, “O unbelieving and perverse generation how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” (Matthew 17:19-21; Mark 9:28-29)

Considering my own faith, or rather lack of faith, I am ashamed. I know and accept all the Bible says and enjoy exploring its great riches. I commune with God in prayer and meditation. I meet with fellow believers regularly. Yet, on a day-to-day basis, when life comes at me like a manic, I am no different than the nine apostles. Lord, put up with me as I seek today to apply faith.

I, like Peter, when fatigued and stressed have spoken foolish and witless words only to regret having said them. Peter’s statement was so silly that in a rare instance, Luke inserted a comment into his historical account of Jesus’ transfiguration on Mont Herman. He adds, “He (meaning Peter) did not know what he was saying” (33) Young Mark, probably instructed by Peter added, “…they were so frightened.” (Mark 9:6) Both men who were much younger than Peter, were explaining, perhaps even excusing Peter for suggesting something so ridiculous.

What did Jesus’, Peter’s, James’, and John’s lives consist of? Moving, preaching, moving, healing, moving. Before this miraculous event Jesus taught a multitude (~4,000 men+women+children) near Bethsaida on the northern shore of The Sea of Galilee. (Matthew 15:29-39; Mark 8:1-13) They traveled to other places including Caesarea Philippi (north of the Sea of Galilee) where God revealed to Jesus’ disciples through Peter that Jesus was indeed the Christ that all Israel was waiting for. Jesus added to this the shocking news that he would be crucified by the religious leaders and be raise to life three days later.

Then Jesus leads his disciples around 10 miles (16 km) north and over 6,000 feet (2,000 m) up to the ever-snowy peaks of Mount Herman. Jesus prayed as was his routine. However, the disciples started dosing off and doing whatever they could to get warm. Then, surprise, Jesus transfigured looking like an angel and started talking to Moses and Elijah who appeared out of nowhere. Then came Peter’s scatterbrained idea. Well, that’s me too when I am fatigued and stressed.

What to do? Have God the Father appear and tell me, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” For me, this is prayer, meditation, studying God’s word, and obeying.

Jesus prayed often, and often alone. Praying was one of Jesus’ habits. A habit is another word for routine, except prayer is not a mechanical procedure or activity. (Matthew 6:5-7) Prayer is personal communion with God. David’s Psalms are good examples of personal communion with God. Hence, this is the reason Jesus usually prayed alone.

However, eight days after explaining to his disciples how he as the Messiah, the Son of Man would suffer, die, and be raised again on the third day, and how they must daily carry their crosses to be raised from the dead, Jesus brought three disciples with him up a mountain for his prayer retreat. Most scholars believe this was Mount Herman though the three gospels that record this event do not name the mountain. (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28)

All three accounts say that Jesus’ appearance changed. Matthew and Mark used the Greek word “metamorphoo” meaning transformed and transfigure. Science uses the word metamorphoses derived from the Greek word to describe the changing of a caterpillar to a butterfly. Metamorphoses means to change into a wholly different form or appearance.

After Jesus informed his disciples that he would suffer, die, and be raised from the dead he promised them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” (29) What Peter, John, and James witnessed was the fulfillment of that promise.

I take many things from this event. One is that when I am raised from the dead Jesus tells me that I will be like him and the angels. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed– in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.” (1 Corinthians 15:50-53)

Jesus revealed to his disciples what it meant to be Christ, the Son of God. As the Christ, Jesus suffered many things, was rejected and killed, and on the third day was raised to life (22). Now, he said to them all what it meant to be one of his disciples. This is very important to me. Reading these verses reminds me of David’s Psalms which BDBD went through all year (2024).

First, as a disciple I follow, that is “come after” Jesus. Though some translations translate the Greek “come with” the meaning is that Jesus leads the way as an example and I follow his way as a disciple. Jesus individualized and distinguished the meaning of being a disciple by saying “…he must deny himself and take up his cross DAILY and follow me.” That is a serious humble pie to digest.

Second, Jesus compares cross-carrying to the way of the general populous. They save their life while I, as a disciple lose it (24). Jesus is recorded saying this in all four gospels and in two he is recorded repeating it more than once. (Matthew 10:38-39, 16:24-25; Mark 8:34-35; Luke 9:24, 14:26-27, 17:33; John 12:25)

Third, whoever loses their life by daily carrying their cross while following Jesus will save their life (24). Motivating his disciples Jesus asks the rhetorical question, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” (25)

Fourth, Jesus defines very clearly what it means to save my life by carrying my cross. (26-27) Jesus is talking about overcoming death forever. Just as Jesus rose from the dead after baring his cross, so death will not have power over me. The body will die or be changed. However, I will live forever happily ever after.

When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am? Peter said “The Christ (Messiah) of God.” Christ means anointed one. The anointed one implies that the Christ is the:
1) Great Prophet. (Deuteronomy 18:15,18; Isaiah 55:4,; Luke 24:19; Acts 3:22, 7:37)
2) Only High Priest. (Psalms 110:4; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 6:20, 7:24, 9:24)
3) Eternal King or Lord. (Psalms 2:6; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5, 28:18; Luke 1:33; John 10:28; Ephesians 1:20-23; Revelation 11:15, 12:10,11, 17:14, 19:6)
4) Savior. (Duet. 32:15; 2 Samuel 22:3, 47; and 1 Chronicles 16:35; Isaiah 43:3,11,15)
5) True Shepherd. (Genesis 48:15, 49:24; Psalm 23:1, 80:1; Zechariah 13:7)

Jesus strictly told his disciples not to tell anyone (21). Why? There are several reasons:
1) The average Jew had a misunderstanding of the life and ministry of the Messiah. This is seen clearly in the Essenes’ writing and the response of the people after the feeding of the five thousand. (John 6:25-71) Later they would crucify him because of this misunderstanding.
2) The people needed to come to this revelation on their own as God inspired them (as God had inspired Peter) because they were committed and were in love with him.
3) God’s time for mass revelation was yet to come. Once the Jewish leaders asked him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:24-30)

Jesus referred to himself as “The Son of Man” using a title that the prophet Daniel used to identify the Christ. Jesus often called himself the Son of Man. (Luke 5:24, 6:5, 22; Matthew 13:37, 12:40, 12:32, etc.) Daniel 3:25, 7:13, and 10:5-6 all refer to the Messiah as the Son of Man. Jesus was indeed man, fully flesh undergoing all the aspects of humanity.

Christ appears five hundred and one times in the New Testament, each time referring only to Jesus and his kingship. Today, many people believe that Jesus’s sir name is Christ. It is not. People having sir names only started a few hundred years ago. Before that, people had only one word for a name.

However, sometimes when referring to a person, people would say that he was the son of someone. For example, James was called the son of Zebedee to distinguish him from James the son of Alphaeus (Matt. 10:2-3). In other cases, a person’s title and/or position was added to their name (i.e. King Herod, Tiberius Caesar, etc.). These practices did not mean that those men had sir names (although this did happen in some cultures centuries later). Thus, it is the same with Jesus.

Christ is not Jesus sir name; it is his title. “Christ” refers to Jesus kingly position. Christ is a Greek word with the same meaning as the Hebrew word Messiah. Jesus being the Messiah refers to his kingly lineage stemming back to King David and at the same time looks to his future reigning as King of Israel and the world. When the Bible states Jesus is the Messiah; that is the Christ, it means that Jesus is the King, God’s anointed one.

Throughout human history only two types of people were anointed with oil; kings and priests. (Exodus 29:29, 40:15, Lev. 7:36, and 1 Samuel 2:10, 35, 10:1, 15:17, 15:13) Oil poured over their head was a symbol of the Holy Spirit coming over them. Jesus, the Christ, is God’s special anointed one. (Ps. 2:2, Dan. 9:25) Jesus was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit as king and priest. (Luke 4:16-24, Acts 10:38)