Wednesday, March 06, 2013

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Wednesday, March 06, 2013       I Received Public Acclamation     

Page 223-224 Matthew 21: 1-11; Mark 11: 1-11; Luke 19: 29-44; John 12:12-19

If you look closely you can see Peter, John and the others following Jesus into Jerusalem. They were awed by the response of the crowd. It was no longer just a solitary woman in the privacy of a home demonstrating unrestrained devotion to Jesus. Hundreds were giving Jesus their heart, as they laid their coats before his feet, waved palm branches, and sang, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9). For a brief few minutes all was right for the disciples, as the crowds expressed love and devotion for their Messiah King who had come to end oppression, restore Temple worship and establish his worldwide Kingdom of Justice.

However, it wasn’t long before the disciples and the crowd began to realize Jesus’ definitions of oppression, Temple worship and the Kingdom of God differed entirely from their expectations of the Messiah. Jesus’s mission went much deeper than ending the relatively superficial oppression of the Roman occupation. Jesus came to end the oppression of evil; sin and death. Jesus’ mission was no less than the restoration of Paradise where the Temple of God is not a building built with hands, rather it is God’s presence within His ultimate creation: human beings. Jesus’ mission was not to establish a new political kingdom for Israel; rather Jesus came to establish the Kingdom of God where God’s justice and mercy will transform the entire world.

Sometimes, I can be so naive and think that when I call out to God for help, God will help me according to what I think I need. Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem is a reminder to me that God interprets my every cry to Him for help as an invitation for Him to come and do what He thinks is best in and for me; not to fulfill my temporal desires, but to accomplish His eternal purposes.

Sē’lah

The second edition of my book, First Think – Then Pray has been released as an e-book on Amazon Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGQL5JC

<><  <><  <><  <><

What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  In addition to this BLOG they are distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Thursday, March 07, 2013 I Cursed a Fig Tree &

Cleared the Temple for the 2nd Time    

Page 229      Matthew 21: 12-17; Mark 11: 15-19; Luke 19:45-48

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Tuesday, March 05, 2013  Mary Anointed My Head and Feet         

Page 217      Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 11:55-12:11

In our reading for today the religious leaders are plotting to do away with Jesus. Mary, believing Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, allows herself to worship Jesus without inhibition. The disciples are grumbling about the extravagant generosity of Mary.

There is an interesting parallel between this gathering and an occasion when Jesus was in Lazarus’ home, as recorded in Luke’s Gospel. In Luke, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet listening to him teach, and her sister Martha objects because she thinks Mary should be helping her prepare to serve a meal for Jesus. In John’s Gospel, Mary is again at Jesus’ feet, this time serving him as she anoints him for burial. I suspect the house was filled not only with the scent of perfume, but also with tension as the others witnessed Mary’s shameless, extravagant adoration and worship of Jesus. Judas is the one who breaks the silence with the practical observation that the perfume was needlessly being wasted.

Jesus said Mary would always be remembered for her act of adoration. Jesus’ recognition of Mary is also his way of emphasizing the great cultural reversal that takes place when the Kingdom of God is present.  Mary’s affirmation that Jesus was the Messiah stood in sharp contrast to all the men – the religious leaders, Judas, and the disciples – who failed, at that time, to recognize Jesus as the Christ.

There was quite a divergent gathering that day in Bethany. Lazarus, the man Jesus brought from death to life was there. Martha was there, working, striving, and doing what needed to be done. Judas, the pragmatic one, who knew the cost of everything, was there. The other disciples were there, in silence. Mary was there, oblivious of everyone else, giving her heart to Jesus.

If this had been your time in history, where would you have been? Would you have looked away in embarrassment because someone was so unrestrained in their devotion? Would you have concluded Jesus was more trouble than he was worth and abandoned him? Would you have given everything you had to honor Jesus?

If you were there, where would you be standing?

Maybe you were singing with Mary.

Lord, I Give You My Heart

(Hillsong United)

This is my desire, to honor You

Lord with all my heart I worship You

all I have within me

I give You praise

all that I adore is in You

Lord I give You my heart

I give You my soul

I live for You alone

Every breath that I take

Every moment I'm awake

Lord have Your way in me

Sē’lah

The second edition of my book, First Think – Then Pray has been released as an e-book on Amazon Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGQL5JC

<><  <><  <><  <><

What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  In addition to this BLOG they are distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Wednesday, March 06, 2013       I Received Public Acclamation     

Page 223-224 Matthew 21: 1-11; Mark 11: 1-11; Luke 19: 29-44; John 12:12-19

Monday, March 04, 2013

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Monday, March 04, 2013   I Was Nearing Jerusalem  

Page 208-209         Luke 19:11-28

This is a troubling parable because it graphically portrays judgment, and none of us wants to be judged. Jesus was not speaking about the future judgment of God at the end of this present age, at his coming again. He was speaking to the people about their here and now, what was about to happen in Jerusalem when the Messiah of God comes to claim his throne.

The Jews had three expectations of their Messiah: he would end the oppression of the Romans; he would re-establish God’s presence in the Temple; he would rule the world as the true King. Those listening to Jesus on the dusty road from Jericho to Jerusalem would have understood the parable to affirm that God’s Kingdom was in fact coming then, and it was coming with judgment and mercy against Israel. Given the increasing hostility directed at Jesus by the establishment, I think those listening to Jesus also began to understand that Jesus would be rejected in Jerusalem. What they clearly did not understand is that Jesus was not just telling them about God and the coming Kingdom of God; Jesus was the incarnation of God. It is Israel’s God who will soon make a triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Sē’lah

The second edition of my book, First Think – Then Pray has been released as an e-book on Amazon Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGQL5JC

<><  <><  <><  <><

What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  In addition to this BLOG they are distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Tuesday, March 05, 2013  Mary Anointed My Head and Feet         

Page 217      Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 11:55-12:11

Friday, March 01, 2013

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Friday, March 01, 2013      Another Man Received His Sight 

Page 207-208         Matthew 20:29a, 31-34; Mark 10:46b-52

Most churches in the USA operate in a fairly democratic way with the pastor, whether elected or called by the congregation or appointed by an episcopal leader, working collaboratively with the elected lay leadership. This form of administration is more of a cultural model than it is Biblical. In contrast are the churches in communist, dictator-led countries where the pastor has absolute authority over the congregation. Again, this form of administration is more of a cultural model than it is Biblical. Jesus spent much of his time teaching his disciples that the Kingdom of God operates by principles that are completely opposite of their cultural norms. Jesus used the healing of blind Bartimaeus to help the disciples gain their Kingdom vision.

Just a short time prior to Jesus engaging Bartimaeus, James and John made a request of Jesus, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left” (Mark 10:37). Jesus denied their request and went on to tell them that in the Kingdom of God, “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else” (Mark 10:43-44).

Then Jesus encounters Bartimaeus and asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). Bartimaeus didn’t ask for fame or fortune, power or prestige: “My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” (Mark 10:51b). Upon being made whole by Jesus, Bartimaeus “followed Jesus on the way” (Mark 10:52).

How do you think Jesus wants us to respond to his question, “What do you want me to do for you?” I believe John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer is the answer Jesus is forming in all of his followers:

    I am no longer my own, but thine.

    Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

    Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

    Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,

    exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

    Let me be full, let me be empty.

    Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

    I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

    And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

    thou art mine, and I am thine.

    So be it.

    And the covenant which I have made on earth,

    let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

Sē’lah

The second edition of my book, First Think – Then Pray has been released as an e-book on Amazon Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGQL5JC

<><  <><  <><  <><

What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  In addition to this BLOG they are distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Monday, March 04, 2013   I Was Nearing Jerusalem  

Page 208-209         Luke 19:11-28