Court of the Gentiles July 9
Mark 11:16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”
The Pharisees appeared to have reasoned that the Court of the Gentiles was somehow less holy than the remainder of the Temple grounds. Thus they did not guard the edges of God’s dwelling place among them.
They allowed the secular functions viewed as necessary for the business of the Temple to be transacted in the outer court, the area where the faithful among the Gentiles were allowed to worship. Verse 16 infers that merchants and their porters could use the Temple grounds as a shortcut to their secular destinations.
Isaiah 56.7 makes clear that Gentiles who join in service to the Lord have a place in His presence: Even them I will bring to My holy mountain,
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
Will be accepted on My altar.
These secular incursions into spiritual space were on top of other abuses. Transactions must be in Temple coin, and unfair exchange rates with other currencies brought income to the Temple. And there were unreasonably high prices for sacrificial animals.
Israel’s relationship with God was to have been an example to the Gentiles, but the religion of the day had replaced the relationship with business transactions.
Mind vs Heart July 10
Mark 11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. 19 When evening had come, He went out of the city.
Truth is an enemy to those who use their power incorrectly
Elijah prophesying before King Ahab comes to mind: “So Ahab said to Elijah, ‘Have you found me, O my enemy?’ And (Elijah) answered, ‘I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord…’” (1 Kings 21:20).
Practicality justifies the abuses of the Temple in the minds of the Temple rulers.
Love of God prompts righteous indignation in the heart of Jesus.
The conflict of the mind and the heart occurs frequently in all of us. And practicality versus agape love is possibly the most frequent example.
Ahab made a political marriage to Jezebel, the daughter of the king of Sidon. She became the power behind his throne and he led Israel/Samaria into idolatry. He was a religious man, but his religion had the wrong god.
Religion can easily lead to idolatry. Even a religion based on the one true God can step into His place and become the god that is worshipped.
Practical rules regarding how to be and what to do replace the relationship between God the Creator and mankind the created. There is a shift from relationship of the heart to the practical realities of the mind.
This is evident in the example of the Temple. To what extent is it true in the modern church?
The most excellent religious devotee has a well-programmed mind, but a person who loves God can do so only from the heart.
The Fig Tree Revisited July 11
Mark 11:20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
Jesus had cursed the fig tree on the way to Jerusalem the day before because it had only foliage and no fruit.
He had proceeded with His disciples to the Temple. Here, also, he found only foliage and no fruit, only show and no devotion to the Creator God. Jesus had called the religious leaders thieves, for they had stolen the character of God and had replaced it with a business model.
The following day, as He and the disciples return to the city, the fig tree is withered away (verse 21), the same word translated as “dried up from the roots” in the previous verse. Peter expresses surprise that it is so quickly dead and dried.
The image of the dry bones in the valley of Ez. 37:1-14 comes to mind. This was the spiritual state of Israel in that day, dry bones without spiritual life until God again breathed the breath of life into them.
Jerusalem was like this valley, full of dry bones. Jesus was there to breathe life back into the dead.
The point is not to demonize the people of that era, or of any other era of history. As Jesus did then, He still breathes life into the dead who desire a new and better life.
Have Faith in God July 12
Mark 11:22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Jesus’ response does not appear to relate to Peter’s observation. The Master has a way of omitting the transition step between others’ words and His response. The leap from call to response requires His listeners to bridge the gap, become active participants in the journey to spiritual life.
There appears to be some disagreement as to whether verse 22 reads, “Have faith in God,” or “Have the faith of God.” The preposition is not in the Greek, and either reading is appropriate and reasonable for a sincere faith. God is both the Creator and the object of this faith.
The promise of the next verses is astonishing to mere mortals as ourselves, but remember that the promises of verses 23-24 are based on verse 22.
To help put these promises in their proper perspective, we can expect only requests in line with the character of God to be fulfilled. Because God is no respecter of persons, “for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45), we cannot simply pray away our personal enemies or pray for our personal desires.
And to simply pray for a mountain to be moved is a violation of the command not to test the Lord (Deut. 6:16, Matt. 4:7).
So is this a meaningful promise?
Moving Mountains July 13
Mark 11:23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
There is no spiritual purpose in moving a physical mountain.
The great majority of mountains that we face, obstacles in our path, are spiritual. A secular perspective says that these mountainous obstacles - such as fear, anxiety, hatred, envy, etc. – are emotional. But note that they have a huge overlap with the fruit of the flesh. These are the polar opposites of the fruit of the spirit – such as faith, peace, love, and self-control.
Negative beliefs become negative thoughts become negative words…actions…habits…values…character…destiny.
The miracle of a new birth, a new belief system, is necessary to overcome the false beliefs that have worn strong neural patterns in our brains. New heart that asserts a new belief system constitutes the rebirth into a new life.
We must each pray that you and I tear down the mountain barriers and rebuild them as pillars of faith, faith in the character of God and in our own identity as His children.
Answered Prayer July 14
Mark 11:23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Verse 24 verifies that the things for which we pray are spiritual rather than physical.
Most translations read, “believe that you have received” that for which you are praying. The physical mountain before us is unmoved as we pray, but the heart can be converted as we truly assert that God’s will be done rather than my own will.
There are no complicated procedures for entrenched habits of thinking be replaced with newer and better patterns. The Spirit that is peace will show us the peace that comes from freedom as we shine the light on the dark corners of our beliefs.
Our miraculous healing (iaomai) - the casting out of negative beliefs and replacing them with positive beliefs - is evidence of our faith. We surrender what does not serve us as acceptance of God’s love casts out all fear. When we are confident that His love flowing into us, through us, and out to others is more powerful than the negative spirit in habiting us.
Letting go of what does not serve us may bring discomfort, like ripping off a bandaid that is unnecessary.
The infected wound of the snake bite will be better healed in the fresh air and sunlight, God’s word and truth.
The Unpardonable Sin July 15
Mark 11:25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
In these two verses, we have the unforgivable sin: not forgiving others for their trespasses (sins) against ourselves.
Or perhaps this is the other unpardonable sin. We saw earlier in Mark 3:28-29: “…but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation.” Matt. 12:31-32 and Luke 12:10 agree with Mark’s statement.
Are these two sins one sin? Are we to understand being unforgiving is equated with blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
Luke 12:12 goes on to say that “the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
We can be sure that the Holy Spirit always counsels forgiveness. When we do not forgive, we are blocking the will of the Holy Spirit. This is the circular path of forgiveness that is to flow through us. If we do not provide an outlet, forgiveness will not enter into us.
When we do not forgive, there is a void where the forgiveness intended for ourselves was meant to be. That emptiness becomes filled with something not of the Spirit. When that evil spirit is within us, we are no longer in a state of peace, no longer in heaven on earth.
Not forgiving is to deny the Holy Spirit and to turn our back on God. He waits patiently for us to return to our senses, to return to Him.
Next day
Mark 11:16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”
The Pharisees appeared to have reasoned that the Court of the Gentiles was somehow less holy than the remainder of the Temple grounds. Thus they did not guard the edges of God’s dwelling place among them.
They allowed the secular functions viewed as necessary for the business of the Temple to be transacted in the outer court, the area where the faithful among the Gentiles were allowed to worship. Verse 16 infers that merchants and their porters could use the Temple grounds as a shortcut to their secular destinations.
Isaiah 56.7 makes clear that Gentiles who join in service to the Lord have a place in His presence: Even them I will bring to My holy mountain,
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
Will be accepted on My altar.
These secular incursions into spiritual space were on top of other abuses. Transactions must be in Temple coin, and unfair exchange rates with other currencies brought income to the Temple. And there were unreasonably high prices for sacrificial animals.
Israel’s relationship with God was to have been an example to the Gentiles, but the religion of the day had replaced the relationship with business transactions.
Mind vs Heart July 10
Mark 11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. 19 When evening had come, He went out of the city.
Truth is an enemy to those who use their power incorrectly
Elijah prophesying before King Ahab comes to mind: “So Ahab said to Elijah, ‘Have you found me, O my enemy?’ And (Elijah) answered, ‘I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord…’” (1 Kings 21:20).
Practicality justifies the abuses of the Temple in the minds of the Temple rulers.
Love of God prompts righteous indignation in the heart of Jesus.
The conflict of the mind and the heart occurs frequently in all of us. And practicality versus agape love is possibly the most frequent example.
Ahab made a political marriage to Jezebel, the daughter of the king of Sidon. She became the power behind his throne and he led Israel/Samaria into idolatry. He was a religious man, but his religion had the wrong god.
Religion can easily lead to idolatry. Even a religion based on the one true God can step into His place and become the god that is worshipped.
Practical rules regarding how to be and what to do replace the relationship between God the Creator and mankind the created. There is a shift from relationship of the heart to the practical realities of the mind.
This is evident in the example of the Temple. To what extent is it true in the modern church?
The most excellent religious devotee has a well-programmed mind, but a person who loves God can do so only from the heart.
The Fig Tree Revisited July 11
Mark 11:20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
Jesus had cursed the fig tree on the way to Jerusalem the day before because it had only foliage and no fruit.
He had proceeded with His disciples to the Temple. Here, also, he found only foliage and no fruit, only show and no devotion to the Creator God. Jesus had called the religious leaders thieves, for they had stolen the character of God and had replaced it with a business model.
The following day, as He and the disciples return to the city, the fig tree is withered away (verse 21), the same word translated as “dried up from the roots” in the previous verse. Peter expresses surprise that it is so quickly dead and dried.
The image of the dry bones in the valley of Ez. 37:1-14 comes to mind. This was the spiritual state of Israel in that day, dry bones without spiritual life until God again breathed the breath of life into them.
Jerusalem was like this valley, full of dry bones. Jesus was there to breathe life back into the dead.
The point is not to demonize the people of that era, or of any other era of history. As Jesus did then, He still breathes life into the dead who desire a new and better life.
Have Faith in God July 12
Mark 11:22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Jesus’ response does not appear to relate to Peter’s observation. The Master has a way of omitting the transition step between others’ words and His response. The leap from call to response requires His listeners to bridge the gap, become active participants in the journey to spiritual life.
There appears to be some disagreement as to whether verse 22 reads, “Have faith in God,” or “Have the faith of God.” The preposition is not in the Greek, and either reading is appropriate and reasonable for a sincere faith. God is both the Creator and the object of this faith.
The promise of the next verses is astonishing to mere mortals as ourselves, but remember that the promises of verses 23-24 are based on verse 22.
To help put these promises in their proper perspective, we can expect only requests in line with the character of God to be fulfilled. Because God is no respecter of persons, “for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45), we cannot simply pray away our personal enemies or pray for our personal desires.
And to simply pray for a mountain to be moved is a violation of the command not to test the Lord (Deut. 6:16, Matt. 4:7).
So is this a meaningful promise?
Moving Mountains July 13
Mark 11:23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
There is no spiritual purpose in moving a physical mountain.
The great majority of mountains that we face, obstacles in our path, are spiritual. A secular perspective says that these mountainous obstacles - such as fear, anxiety, hatred, envy, etc. – are emotional. But note that they have a huge overlap with the fruit of the flesh. These are the polar opposites of the fruit of the spirit – such as faith, peace, love, and self-control.
Negative beliefs become negative thoughts become negative words…actions…habits…values…character…destiny.
The miracle of a new birth, a new belief system, is necessary to overcome the false beliefs that have worn strong neural patterns in our brains. New heart that asserts a new belief system constitutes the rebirth into a new life.
We must each pray that you and I tear down the mountain barriers and rebuild them as pillars of faith, faith in the character of God and in our own identity as His children.
Answered Prayer July 14
Mark 11:23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Verse 24 verifies that the things for which we pray are spiritual rather than physical.
Most translations read, “believe that you have received” that for which you are praying. The physical mountain before us is unmoved as we pray, but the heart can be converted as we truly assert that God’s will be done rather than my own will.
There are no complicated procedures for entrenched habits of thinking be replaced with newer and better patterns. The Spirit that is peace will show us the peace that comes from freedom as we shine the light on the dark corners of our beliefs.
Our miraculous healing (iaomai) - the casting out of negative beliefs and replacing them with positive beliefs - is evidence of our faith. We surrender what does not serve us as acceptance of God’s love casts out all fear. When we are confident that His love flowing into us, through us, and out to others is more powerful than the negative spirit in habiting us.
Letting go of what does not serve us may bring discomfort, like ripping off a bandaid that is unnecessary.
The infected wound of the snake bite will be better healed in the fresh air and sunlight, God’s word and truth.
The Unpardonable Sin July 15
Mark 11:25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
In these two verses, we have the unforgivable sin: not forgiving others for their trespasses (sins) against ourselves.
Or perhaps this is the other unpardonable sin. We saw earlier in Mark 3:28-29: “…but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation.” Matt. 12:31-32 and Luke 12:10 agree with Mark’s statement.
Are these two sins one sin? Are we to understand being unforgiving is equated with blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
Luke 12:12 goes on to say that “the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
We can be sure that the Holy Spirit always counsels forgiveness. When we do not forgive, we are blocking the will of the Holy Spirit. This is the circular path of forgiveness that is to flow through us. If we do not provide an outlet, forgiveness will not enter into us.
When we do not forgive, there is a void where the forgiveness intended for ourselves was meant to be. That emptiness becomes filled with something not of the Spirit. When that evil spirit is within us, we are no longer in a state of peace, no longer in heaven on earth.
Not forgiving is to deny the Holy Spirit and to turn our back on God. He waits patiently for us to return to our senses, to return to Him.
Next day
