March 10, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 21 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Week Jesus Dies
Read Sections 5.14 through 5.15 (pages 145-148)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
5.14 A Poor Widow Gives All She Has (Mark 12:41-44) A convicting word from Jesus about our giving…am I giving sacrificially? Do I trust that God will provide all that my family and I need, or do I hold onto my financial assets out of concern for the future or simple greed?
5.15 Jesus Warns About the Future (Mark 13:1-13) “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” I heard a pastor preach once that our salvation is seen through our perseverance. And he said that people would get all up in arms over him saying that because they so quickly go to cries of “works-based righteousness!” And “legalism!” Because he was implying that it is how we live our lives that testifies to the validity or veracity of our faith…but Jesus makes it pretty clear here. Whether he was speaking specifically to his disciples and giving them an idea of what their future held, or if he is speaking to all who would come to believe through his disciples, it is clear that we should expect the world to hate us, because if there is one thing that darkness can’t stand, it is light…and there is no brighter light than Jesus. He is the light of the world…may He strengthen us in our witness and in our lives, that we may be living, breathing testimonies to the power of His Spirit in us…enduring in love shown in the way Jesus showed He loved the Father…through obedience to our Lord Jesus…to the very end.
Lenten day 21
”“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors!“
Mark 13:28-29 NKJV
There will be signs.
Many will be deceived.
I think we need to pay careful attention.
People say “wars and rumors of wars”, but Jesus says “the time is not yet”.
Jesus says anti Christs will perform miracles, so that is not evidence of Him.
Be careful.
Poor widow gave all she had. It’s not the amount But the attitude for which we give. The end times. If only people could read this chapter along with Matthew 24. Very clear what will take place before the end will come. So important to be grounded in the word so not to be deceived. lots of people will be as they search for answers. All these signs and occurrences is great information. But really we should be ready for Jesus return everyday. I have always remembered what Matthew states. When this gospel is preached to the whole world then the end will come. That wasn’t even on any radar 50 years ago. Never mind 2000 years ago. Now!!!! Yup Look up your redemption draws near
Jesus first observes and then uses what He sees as a teaching opportunity. In this situation He sees rich people giving a lot of money into the Temple collection box. Money that they didn`t need; while the poor widow gave her last two coins which she needed to live on. He says that she actually gave more. This is sacrificial giving. Giving as it hurts. This is how we should live and give. Then one of His followers brings up the great buildings around the Temple area and Jesus says that all these stones will be thrown down to the ground. Not one stone will be left on another. This happened in A.D. 70 when the Romans destroyed it. They were massive stones and they are still lying on the ground now. I saw something on U-Tube about it awhile ago. Here is a statement from one of my sources. [ The Jerusalem temple not fully completed until ca. A.D. 64 was built by the Herodian dynasty to win Jewish favor and to create a lasting Herodian monument. It was considered an architectural wonder of the ancient world. It was built with large white stones, polished and generously decorated with gold. —It covered about 1/6 of the land area of old Jerusalem. To the Jews nothing was as magnificent and formidable as their temple.] [ The Bible Knowledge Commentary] Then Jesus talks about the things to come. Many will come saying they are the Messiah; there will be rumors of wars; Nations will fight against each other; there will be times of no food; there will be earthquakes. These are only the beginning. Then you will be arrested for my name and brought before kings and governors. You will testify of me. Households will turn against each other. But one of things that Jesus said would happen is that the gospel will be proclaimed to all Nations before the end comes. Other scripture says that all tongues will hear the gospel. This is why the scriptures are being translated into every language and tongue. Then Jesus goes on and says: You will see the terrible thing { Anti Christ} standing in the place where it should not be. [ temple] Most of this is the End Times but some of it applied to the persecution of the church { true church} through the centuries. Even when the sun will be dark, the moon won`t give light and the stars will fall from the sky. Then every one will see the Son of Man { Jesus} coming in the clouds. Thank God that many believers will have already been caught up in the rapture to meet the Lord in the air before the Great Tribulation. At least this is what I believe. But when He comes back in the Second Coming as King and Judge we will be with Him. Only those that come to Christ during this tribulation will go through those terrible times. Pray for our loved ones that they may get saved before the tribulation. But if not they should at least know how to get saved. Maybe when the rapture happens they will wake up and see what just happened to those confessing Christ Jesus. I believe that we should have our testimonies written down and maybe verses underlined in the Bible that are salvation verses. And probably verses that the prophets have predicted and came through especially about Christ. Maybe leaving tracts around and scriptures written down on separate paper. When my sister { Susan} died when she was 15 years old after being hit on the Narraganset Park Way in Warwick, R.I. she was in a coma for three weeks before the Lord took her home. This was in 1972. My mom and I looked through papers that she had left behind including her Bible. It was written proof that she had become a Christian. But before this time I had noticed a change in her. I just didn`t know what it was and she didn`t share Christ with me even though we were close. But just over a year latter I came to Christ. I guess this is why I think leaving something behind is important. I know that when I die and go to Heaven she will be greeting me when I arrive. My only sister before I became a believer. The sister that I always tried to protect from others. I wasn`t there for her when she was hit by a car because a woman was speeding to pick up her husband at the airport. Those letters were of great comfort to me realizing that she is in Heaven. We just never know when we will be with the Lord so we should prepare. I hope sharing this will encourage some of you to do likewise and leave information for others to find. God bless all of you.
How difficult that must have been for you and your family Dennis. So glad that she had come to Christ before such tragic thing happened to her. What a consolation our great salvation is!
The Life of Jesus 5.14-5.15.
The widow that gave all she had to the tax collector is certainly good testament in giving, especially in terms of finances even if it isn’t the best option to give money one can have. It’s better to give knowing it’s your all than holding back or receiving . Pastor you brought that home this past Sunday on your service of selfish tendencies.
It truly is also fascinating on how Jesus gives clues to the end times but we do not know the day or the hour; but that we must be ready. It seems in present day the world isn’t the best it’s been, and the Church of God is persecuted too often. I do not think we are near end times quite yet but I do think a lot of the things Jesus mentioned 2000 years ago or so are starting to happen.
Day 21 5:14-5:15
How true it is that it is not the amount of giving that matters but the level of sacrifice in it, which reveals more than anything the trust and appreciation that God wants to part of the way we give. And we must appreciate how unique it is to the Christian faith that Jesus predicts His own return. And yet He is also answering the question when the temple is to be destroyed. So therefore we have information fitting here for the events of 70AD as well as the times heading to the end and about Jesus’ return. And because 70 AD already happened we know it was those who escaped the city who were best off. And yet how hard it was to get out. And we see already the level of deception people are under to reject the things of God and we can expect that it will only get worse. We also should not be surprised if the persecution we face increases. In the same way they rejected, hated and killed Jesus, they will do to the whose follow Him. But Jesus promises His presence with us in it and the main thing we should be thinking about is how we can defend our faith. And even for that, Jesus will supply. And no one will need to wonder when the real Jesus returns because He will come in power and glory and cosmic events will accompany Jesus’ return. So how long we remain until Jesus takes us away remains to be seen. There are good arguments on all sides of the eschatological debate. But as I say, we don’t need to be prepared if we are taken, we need to be prepared more if we remain for a time for the antichrist to be revealed and before God’s wrath comes. Through it all we are called to persevere and Jesus gives us every reason and every resource to do so!
Lent 2024 – Day 21
It can be scary to read of end times and the things that will unfold during this time. The arguements for whether or not we will be part of it or taken first go back and forth so the important part for us is to be ready! Firm in our faith, strong in our knowledge of the Word, filled and operating in the Holy Spirit for discernment. We see so many places today where God’s truths are being challenged and chipped away and we must remain vigillant that His Word is Truth…all of it.. and that He is with us no matter where we are when the end times comes.
Yesterday I was razzed by some family members for my beliefs. I let them talk and did not agree with their assessment of me nor did I defend my faith. Later I found myself regretting that I did not say anything in defense. I prayed beforehand that God would give me the words to say when I had an opportunity but when the time came, I could not find the words. However, because I let them talk I have a better understanding of what they think about my beliefs. Upon reflection, I was able to think of some questions that I would like to ask them. I know that God will give me the words to say at the right timing. I must trust the process and believe that God is answering my prayers. And I will continue to ask him to save my family.