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About-Him.Com Devotional 04-03-2004
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, the commemoration of the day that Jesus made a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, riding on a lowly donkey. The fickle crowd shouted Hosanna, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord," or in other words, Welcome King Messiah. They were ready to riot and rebel and establish Jesus on the vacant throne of David.
Of course, they had certain expectations. First of all, He would drive out the hated Romans. The Jewish kingdom would be restored to it's former glory, under David and Solomon. etc. etc.etc.
As the events of the coming week unfolded, it became apparent that Jesus had a different concept of what constituted the Kingdom of God. It would be spiritual, not political. By the end of the week, the adoring crowds were shouting, "Crucify Him!"
What does this tell us about the unregenerated heart? Does this make us wonder what could be lurking in our own hearts? Do we serve Him just so that He can fulfil our expectations? I trust not. I trust that we will follow Him into the garden and the judgment hall. We'll share with Him in His cross and glory in His resurrection? Most of all, it won't be long and we'll see Him at the throne and thank Him for what He did for us during that fateful week.
Our segment below follows in the same vein. The people were looking for the spectacular, not willing to pay the price that was required for discipleship. Guess I'd better stop, lest I ramble.
The Life of Christ from Him Baptism to His Ascension.
133: The Sign Seekers rebuked: Mt. 16:1-4; Mk. 8:10-12
Matthew 16:1 ¶ The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
When Jesus and His disciples stepped ashore they were met by a coalition of otherwise natural enemies, the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Pharisees were the religious bigots who were nationalistic and opposed to Herod and Roman rule. They held to a strict interpretation of all the law of Moses and all of the rabbinical writings that pertained to it.
The Sadducees controlled the Jewish church of the day and they did not believe in the resurrection. They were more politicians than spiritual leaders. They had their working arraignments with both Herod and the Romans.
However, their common enemy was Jesus and it was easy for them to forget their differences, if only they could destroy Him . Tertulian is quoted as saying that, "Christ is always being crucified between two thieves."
They asked Jesus specifically for a sign from heaven. They had no doubt heard about the feeding of the four thousand. Their thinking was that anybody under the influence of Satan, or of magic, could do such a feat. A sign from heaven would be a different matter. Perhaps He could make the sun stand still as Joshua had done?
Jesus had striven with both groups several times in the past. He knew their hearts. He knew that they had no intention of accepting Him and He was not about to fall into their trap.
He rebuked then as wicked and adulterous hypocrites who could discern the weather, but were unable to discern the signs of the times. The only sign they would be given was His approaching death. Just as Jonah, He would spend three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Once again Jesus was forced to leave His antagonists. He went by ship once more to Bethsaida which was near his family’s home at Capernaum. Jesus had spent several weeks in the regions that were semi-pagan. There He could get some respite from the persecutions of his enemies and be able to instruct His disciples in things relating to the kingdom.
The Mark account continues in vss. 14-21 with Jesus admonishing His disciples to beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees.
Somebody Has Said
He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
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Humor
I recall a story from my youth. A great doctrinal debate was being held between a minister of our denomination which I'll call denomination "A," and another that I'll call denomination "X."
Anyhow, the going was getting hot and heavy. Suddenly X began to ridicule A, "Look at how shabbily this man is dressed who claims to be a minister of the gospel."
A simply responded, "My daddy always told me to not wear my best clothes when I go to skin a skunk!"
Don & Marie Spooner
About Him! Ministries
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