A Tender Heart

Luke 19:41 ESV

41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it,

He wept for Lazarus, even when He knew He would soon call him out of the grave. He does the same for Jerusalem. 

God has a tender heart for His children. 

Who Did Not Want Me

Luke 19:27 ESV

27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”

Jesus ends the parable of minas with these stark words. He wasn't just a nice fellow, a good teacher and a good man. He is the Son of God and the King of Kings. Yes He is kind and gentle, but He is the sword of God's justice. 

We will come before Him one way or the other. 

Small Of Stature

Luke 19:1-3 ESV

1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. 

Though big in worldly position, when it came to seeing Jesus being rich offered no advantage. Jesus said it was impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Then He said all things were possible for God. 

We are all too small to see God unless we climb on the tree of life. 

Have Separated You

Leviticus 20:7-8 ESV

7 Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God.

8 Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

Leviticus 20:26

26 You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.

We are holy by observing His word and doing it. We are to be holy for He is holy. If we do not, we take His name in vain. 

We are His, not in name only, but through and for His name. 

Otherwise we run the risk of showing up for the wedding feast, but He doesn't know our name, for it is not written in the book of life. 

He Cried Out All The More

Luke 18:38 ESV

38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Luke 18:39

39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The blind man cries out. Jesus would later say that if He tried to silence the people, even the stones would cry out. Blind as he was, he could see the one who could heal and make him whole. 

Who Humbles Himself

Luke 18:13-14 ESV

13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

It is the realization and decision of every person, the choice given to every man and woman: God or self. 

Where The Corpse Is

Luke 17:35,37 ESV

 35 There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.” 37 And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

Those who place their faith in the flesh will learn that place is for the birds. 

On The Children Of Man

Psalms 53:2 ESV

2 God looks down from heaven

on the children of man

to see if there are any who understand,

who seek after God.

And finding none, He sent His Son who would call Himself "Son of Man". That One would understand and obey. 

The Kingdom Of God Is

Luke 17:20-21 ESV

 20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst

The kingdom now comes from the inside and is visible in the fruit of the Spirit. Just as God came in the humble form of a man, in His Son Jesus, so the kingdom comes through His Spirit dwelling in the hearts of His children.  It is here and it is coming!

Where Are The Nine?

Luke 17:15-19 ESV

15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus'feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner? ” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well. ” 

Jesus had healed the ten, but one came back giving thanks and praise. This one understood and was made whole, his spirit healed as well. He waits for the others.

He Shall Make Atonement

Leviticus 16:33-34 ESV

33 He shall make atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.

34 And this shall be a statute forever for you, that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins.” And Moses did as the Lord commanded him.

The Holy place was defiled with the sins of the people that came to meet and worship God. The high priest would make atonement to cleanse that place and the people. 

This prepares the way for understanding of what Jesus did and does. He is the one sacrifice for all that cleanses the temple, which is the heart of man. This allows the Spirit to dwell in you and me. 

He took upon Himself our sins, and like the scapegoat led into the wilderness, removed sin as far as East is from West from the children of God, for His righteousness has become ours. 

If Someone Should Rise From The Dead

Luke 16:26, 30-31 ESV

26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’

30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Abraham speaks of the distance between man and God. 

Only faith can bridge that chasm. That faith is in the man God raised from the dead. It is enough and the only way. 

Why Do You Boast?

Psalm 52:1 ESV

1 Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?

The steadfast love of God endures all the day.

The word translated as God has in it's main meaning the attribute of Mighty. The psalmist contrasts the might of the man for evil against the love of God Almighty. 

There is but one reason to boast, and that is for what He has done. 

That Seed

The word is that seed when planted in good soil brings forth the tree of life, on whose limbs bear the fruit of the Spirit and leaves for healing.

Joy Before The Angels

Luke 15:10 ESV

10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Enter His joy

The joy that was before Him

As He journeyed to Jerusalem 

Where the cross waited

To reclaim that which is lost

To free those held captive 

For you and me

And the angels sing

This Man Receives

Luke 15:2 ESV

2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

We should be mindful that we all have been received at His table. He shares the bread of life with all who would partake of His mercy and love. He redeems those with a humble heart. 

Restore To Me

Psalms 51:9-12 ESV

9 Hide your face from my sins, 

and blot out all my iniquities. 

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, 

and renew a right spirit within me. 

11 Cast me not away from your presence, 

and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, 

and uphold me with a willing spirit. 

There is nothing hidden from God. Only He can restore a heart, but He does so after that heart is turned and given to Him. David acknowledges it is the work of God's Holy Spirit that creates a heart and spirit acceptable to God. It is that same Spirit which guards and protects, that brings us into His presence and allows us to walk with Him. 

The Narrow Door

Luke 13:23-24 ESV

23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few? ” And he said to them, 24   “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 

He said I am the gate. Repent and come to me. The door is narrow for He is the way. 

Until The Time

Luke 13:18-21 ESV

18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches. ” 

20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21   It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened. ” 

Birds of the air

Nest in the kingdom

Like the leaven of the Pharisees

Mixed in the bread

Tares and wheat grow side by side

Until the time of harvest 

Without Understanding

Psalms 49:20 ESV

20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

Pomp and ceremony will cease

As a bell that no longer rings 

Silent and without life 

For the lack of wisdom

The One Who Did Not Know

Luke 12:47-48 ESV

47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.

48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

We will be judged on what we know and what we did with that knowledge.  Thinking we know doesn't always match up with knowing. It is just what we think. 

God is merciful and just. He demonstrated this when He gave His Son in His mercy to satisfy His justice. 

He reaches for us all.

With A Shout

Psalms 47:5 ESV

5 God has gone up with a shout,

the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

He will return in the same way. 

Adjuration

Leviticus 5:1 ESV

1 “If anyone sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity;

Adjuration means speaking truly, as if under oath. If we are witness to the truth and hold back, we sin.

If one believes there are many truths, he does not know truth and there is no need for him to speak out. 

Though He Did Not Know

Leviticus 5:17 ESV

17 “If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the Lord's commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity.

Upon knowing, we are held accountable. When we realize our guilt, sin materializes and is held against us. Only when we know sin and its meaning are we able to begin to see the need for Jesus. Choosing Him, we no longer bear our iniquity. 

Right Before God

Job 9:1-2 ESV

1 Then Job answered and said: 

2 “Truly I know that it is so: 

But how can a man be in the right before God? 

Job 9:32-35 

32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, 

that we should come to trial together. 

33 There is no arbiter between us, 

who might lay his hand on us both. 

34 Let him take his rod away from me, 

and let not dread of him terrify me. 

35 Then I would speak without fear of him, 

for I am not so in myself. 

Jesus takes away the rod and casts out fear, replacing them both with mercy and love. 

Through Him we are right before God. 

Choose

Deuteronomy 30:15 ESV

15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.

Choose while it is still today. 

Be Still

Psalms 46:10-11 ESV

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.

 I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Selah

To be still is is to rest in God, knowing He is with us and we are safely in His hand. Knowing who He is, we know who we are. 

In His Own Likeness

Genesis 5:1-3 ESV

 This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 

God created Adam in His likeness. After disobeying God, Adam passed on a different likeness to his son. 

Listen To Him!

Luke 9:33-35 ESV

33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”— not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One;   listen to him! ” 

Usually it is better to listen rather than to speak when in the presence of the Lord. 

The Only Way Out

Luke 9:30-31 KJV CWS

 30  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elijah: 31  Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease[ art,nn G1841 ἔξοδος * exodos * ex'-od-os * From G1537 and G3598; an exit, that is, (figuratively) death: - decease, departing. [LEX] [Find] ] which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 

Another exodus(Greek word- exodos) is about to happen. Just as Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, Jesus is about to lead the way out of death to the life of God. This is why He came. This is what He accomplished through His own death. It was and is the only way out. 

Staying In The Son

Sometimes we have to change positions to stay in the sun.  We sometimes find ourselves in the shade when we sit too long.

Choice In The Matter

There would have been no need for Jesus to come if we did not have free will, if we did not have a choice in the matter.   

Are Those Who

Luke 8:21 ESV

21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Take Care

Luke 8:18 ESV

18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

How we hear is what we do with the word. Just thinking about it, or talking about it is not enough. It is taking it to heart and living from that reality that is meant by one having the word, a hearer of the word. 

More is given, for the word is living and grows in the receptive heart, taking root to receive the riches of the Father.

Take care. The measure you use will be given to you. This is what is meant by you working out your own salvation with reverence and trembling.

We Know

Consider how easy it is to say grass grows.  Though there is unimaginable complexity contained in those two words, most people would say they know what it means, and they do.  But the best and brightest mind this planet can produce would not be able to entertain the full extent of the time, space, or facts these words imply and encompass.  As vast as the universe is, we are always finding it to be bigger and different than we thought.  We define its boundaries by our vision and perception, which change.

It is with that same vision and perception we attempt to explain God.  A changing God only reflects our collective and individual journey, for He says He is changeless and eternal.

In the same way we know grass grows, we can say we know God.  We may not be able to explain or understand everything there is to know about either subject, but it is still possible to say we know, and we do.  His Spirit confirms this to be so.

Seasons Of The Heart

Psalms 42:11 ESV

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation and my God.

We all experience this place, for different reasons and at different times. You are no less a child of God because of them. 

He is there, no matter the season of the heart. He is the reason for our hope. 

Whose Heart Stirred

Exodus 36:2 ESV

2 And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work.

Everyone is gifted uniquely. Each heart expresses its own gift. 

While My Glory Passes

Exodus 33:22-23 ESV

22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”

Seeing God's face means coming into His  presence. It is too much for us to behold in our mortal state. We would be consumed by His light. But He would send His Son, the light of the world, to enable us to walk in that light and see God. Jesus is that rock in which we are hidden, the hand that covers us with His righteousness. 

Know A Veil

Exodus 34:34 ESV

34 Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded,

The veil was and is removed by Jesus. Each believer is able to stand in the presence of the Lord. Let us not be afraid of letting others see the evidence of His light in our lives. 

Firstborn

Exodus 34:19-20 ESV

19 All that open the womb are mine, all your male livestock, the firstborn of cow and sheep.

20 The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty-handed.

Jesus is the firstborn, and those placing their faith in Him are reborn, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. 

The unredeemed fall headlong and break their neck as they trip on the stone of stumbling. 

Will

Luke 5:12-13 ESV

12 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. ” 13 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean. ” And immediately the leprosy left him. 

It is His will and He will.

The Separated Ones

Luke 5:17 ESV

17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal.

Interesting to learn that Pharisee means "separated from". Though they claimed to have and know the truth, they did not. They were close enough to see the glory of the Lord with their eyes, but too far in their hearts.

Accustomed To Its Taste

Luke 5:36-39 ESV

36 He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good. ’” 

The cup lifted by Jesus contains new wine, the grace and truth of God. The Pharisees were sipping on the old wine, though it was no longer good and had turned bitter. They had grown accustomed to its taste. 

From Those Things

Psalms 40:17 NASB

17 Since I am afflicted and needy,

   Let the Lord be mindful of me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

Do not delay, O my God.

From those things around me that cause me to stumble

From those things inside me that cause me to sin

Save and deliver me

Hold me and keep me

In the palm of Your hand

A Table Before Me

Exodus 31:18 NASB

18 And He gave to Moses, when He had ceased communing with him on Mount Sinai, the two tables of the Testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

Several translation render tables instead of tablets where the Testimony is recorded. It implies a polished, luminous surface.

Psalm 23 speaks of the Lord preparing a table in the midst of our enemies.  In the shadows of death, light and peace is given.

This portends the witness of Israel and the witness of Christ. The first tables or tablets were broken, caused by disobedience.  God would write His commands on the heart of every believer. 

To The Test

Luke 4:9-12 NASB

9   And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here;

10 for it is written,

‘ HE will command His angels concerning You to guard You,’

11 and,

‘ ON their hands they will bear You up,

SO that You will not strike Your foot against A stone.’”

12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘ You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

The devil tempts Jesus in the wilderness.  They both quote from Scripture, but for different ends.  From the mouth of one Scripture can be misused and lead another astray.  In the garden story the serpent asks if God really said that.  That question rings out today.

Jesus refused to do what the devil had done, to test the Lord.  The devil had done just that.

 

Son Of God

Luke 3:38 ESV

38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Luke traces the lineage of Jesus back to Adam. Adam is the son of God, the first man.  Later, the only begotten Son of God would call Himself Son of Man.

The Son of Man entered creation through the union of the Holy Spirit with a woman. In Genesis, God used the body of man to create woman. Likewise, God uses the body of man united with his Spirit to bear the children of God, causing them to be born again. As such, we enter heaven, the presence of our Father as sons of God.

The bride of Christ is foreshadowed by the creation of woman Eve, for out of man she came.

Holy Garments

Exodus 28:2 ESV

2 And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.

So it will be with our heavenly garments. They will be glorious and beautiful and fit just right.  God sees it now.

Pleasing To God

Luke 2:10-14 ESV

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. ” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 

14 “Glory to God in the highest, 

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! ” 

The good news is for all the people.  For those who accept and receive Christ will find rest in His peace. This is pleasing to God. 

Jesus Increased

Luke 2:52 ESV

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Jesus grew into the Son of Man. 

The divine mixed with the clay of mortal man. He was favored by both. The mystery of the wisdom of God growing in wisdom as a man is in view.  He became like us.

The Perfect Moment

You are what you are, and this is the perfect moment.
You are exactly between who you were and who you're going to be.
You aren't anyone else, and no one is like you.

Steps Of A Man

Psalms 37:23-24 ESV

23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord,

when he delights in his way;

24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,

for the Lord upholds his hand.

Find the way and travel that way. He will get you there. 

The Holy Spirit Will Come

Luke 1:35 ESV

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God.

The Holy Spirit comes and a child is conceived, the Holy Son of God. We likewise are made holy when we receive the Spirit and are reborn as children of the Father.

On Lifted Hand

Exodus 25:29 ESV

29 And you shall make its plates and dishes for incense, and its flagons and bowls with which to pour drink offerings; you shall make them of pure gold.

Part of the specifications given to Moses for those things to be placed on the table of the Presence before the Lord. The word translated dishes comes from the word meaning the hollow or flat part of the hand. This incense would be burned, signifying prayer. It is beside the bread and cup of the covenant. We offer the sacrifice of prayer as we receive the bread and drink from the cup.

Let us lift our hand to take His. 

Blood Of The Covenant

Exodus 24:8 ESV

8 And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

Jesus shed His blood, just as it was and is written. With it we are cleansed before God.

Delivers Them

Psalms 34:17-18 AMP

17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles.

P18 The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent.

Deliverance can arrive in many and unexpected ways. Sometimes we know when it happens. Often we are able to see it only when we look back. 

Received The Sour Wine

John 19:28-30 ESV

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said( to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst. ” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 

He drank the cup His Father had placed before Him. 

You Give Them Drink

Psalms 36:7-9 ESV

7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! 

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 

8 They feast on the abundance of your house, 

and you give them drink from the river of your delights. 

9 For with you is the fountain of life; 

in your light do we see light. 

In His love is life

In His shadow is light

In His cup flows the river of delights

What Further Witnesses Do We Need?

Mark 14:61-63 ESV

61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? ” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. ” 63 And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 

Jesus answered, "I Am".

"What further witnesses do we need?", asked the high priest.


What do we need, and what will we do with that information?

Eternity In Our Hearts

Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

The reason for the restless heart, for the longing unexplained. A timeless heart is bound in time. 

The beauty of what He has done will be revealed and we will know as we are known. 

The Mouth Of The Sword

Exodus 17:13 YLT

13 and Joshua weakeneth Amalek and his people by the mouth of the sword.

I find it interesting this literal translation reveals the phrase "mouth of the sword". In other places, the word of Jesus is likened to a sword brought to earth, that penetrates to the very marrow of our bones, between spirit and flesh. With the sword of His mouth He makes all things new.

None

Psalms 34:22 AMP

22 The Lord redeems the lives of His servants, and none of those who take refuge and trust in Him shall be condemned or held guilty.

We are redeemed and our sins are remembered no more, none. Our names are written in the book of life. This is the gospel of the good news and testimony of Jesus.  

The Rest

Matthew 11:28-29 ESV

28   Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

The rest of the story...

With Abandon

Mark 12:41-44 ESV

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on. ” 

She trusted God with abandon, while they offered out of abundance. Jesus took note of both. 

The Mark

Exodus 13:15-16 ESV

15 For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all the males that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem. ’ 16 It shall be as a mark on your hand or frontlets between your eyes, for by a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt. ” 

Their observance of the Lord's commands would mark Israel as His people. Compare this with the mark of the beast. 

Who Is Like You?

Exodus 15:11-14 ESV

11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? 

Who is like you, majestic in holiness, 

awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? 

12 You stretched out your right hand; 

the earth swallowed them. 

13 “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; 

you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode. 

14 The peoples have heard; they tremble; 

pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia. 

From the song of Moses, sung by Israel after their deliverance from Egypt. This will be sung again by the redeemed in Christ. 

We Are Blessed

Psalms 32:1-2 ESV

1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, 

whose sin is covered. 

2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, 

and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 

Covered by the blood, we are redeemed. Our spirit is one with and through the Holy Spirit.

We are blessed. He has done this thing.

Jesus Stopped

Mark 10:47-49 ESV

47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! ” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me! ” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him. ” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you. ” 

The blind man cried out for mercy and Jesus stopped. Take heart, for He stops for all that would cry out. He answers through His disciples. 

As We Wait

Psalms 31:24 ESV

24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

all you who wait for the Lord!

He has come, even as we wait. 

So They Did

Exodus 12:28 ESV

28 Then the people of Israel went and did so; as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

After hearing the instructions from God concerning Passover, they bowed their heads and worshipped. They then went and did so. 

To Love And Be Love

1 Peter 1:22-23 ESV

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 

We are born again by the truth revealed in the word of God. Purified by love to love and be love. Our obedience is the mark its abiding presence. 

Something For Nothing

Paraphrase of C.S. Lewis from "Mere Christianity" 

Jesus offers something, in fact everything, for nothing. That's what we have without Him.

We can only make that trade when we finally figure that out. 

"Let It Be So" - Jesus

Matthew 3:15 (ESV) 

15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 

Answering John’s hesitation to baptize the One Who will baptize all with the Holy Spirit, Jesus reassures John that this is necessary.

"Become Like Children" - Jesus

Matthew 18:3 ESV

3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

The kingdom of God belongs to children, for to enter one must be reborn. Let them come to me. 

Give Ear

God does not command us to love Him with warm fuzzy feelings, but by following His commandments. Not with dreamy eyes, but by hearing His word. Hearing means understanding, accepting, trusting, and acting on that word. We give ear with our life, and thereby gain life. 

Without Revealing

Amos 3:7-8 ESV 

7 “For the Lord God does nothing 

without revealing his secret 

to his servants the prophets. 

8 The lion has roared; 

who will not fear? 

The Lord God has spoken; 

who can but prophesy? ” 

God told Abraham what He was about to do to Sodom. Abraham pleaded for the good men whom might be found in that city, that they would be spared. When it came to pass, he saw smoke in the distance.  God tells us what is coming. Let's not be found in the city. 

Under The Son

There is nothing new under the sun, but everything is new under the Son. 

This Desolate Place

Mark 8:4 ESV

4 And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place? ” 

It is through Jesus that the multitude is fed. God has made a way in this desolate place.

The Voice Of The Lord

Psalms 29:3 ESV

3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; 

the God of glory thunders, 

the Lord, over many waters. 

The Spirit was over the waters in the beginning, and gave shape to the earth. He overshadowed Mary, and a Son was conceived. He descended upon Jesus and remained. He spoke through the Son of Man. 

Through water and Spirit we are reborn. It is for the many who would come.