After entering Jerusalem, Jesus returns to Bethany for the night.  The next morning, he goes back to Jerusalem.  On the way, he notices a fig tree without fruit.  It was not in season for fruit.  He states, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” He walks away.

 

No that seems odd that Jesus would curse a tree that was not in season for bearing fruit.  Some scholars state that Jesus was in stress and cursed the tree.  Some theologians state that it was an object lesson about His power.

 

However, I do not think so.  Jesus has been stressing about discipleship since the transfiguration.  He is preparing them for his death and for the coming of  His kingdom, the church.  Every move, word, and action is for teaching.  This act is not flippant, but to show the disciples two points.

 

First, it symbolizes the fruitlessness of Israel.  They were placed on the earth in that exact location to show God to the world.  Instead, they become part of the world.

 

Second, it symbolizes to us what will happen to use if we do not bear fruit for the kingdom.

 

Bearing any fruit?

 

 

James and John has an unusual request for Jesus.  We have had at times also, I am sure.  Maybe we asked Jesus for a new car, a new home, or maybe a new job, a request all the same.  James and John wanted to be seated on either side of Jesus when he came to his glory.  Those places of power and prestige are really important. Jesus’s response was not what they expected.  “You do not know what you are asking.  Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 

 

Jesus is looking at them and asking them if they have counted the cost?  Do they really want to pay the price?

 

Many of us have not sit down and counted the cost of being a disciple of Jesus.  We come forward, confess, be baptized, and go on our way.  We might go on all the trips to the amusement parks, restaurants, or even every now and then help an elderly person.  There is no thought about the cost of being a follower of Jesus.

 

Remember the rich young man in the Scriptures before?  Jesus told him to sell everything and leave it all to follow Him.  The young man walked away.  What about you.?  Have you counted the cost?  Have you sit down and made the decision to give up everything just to have Jesus?  Believe me, there is a cost for following Jesus.  Are you willing to pay?

Jesus is traveling to Jerusalem to die.  As he is traveling, he takes every opportunity to prepare the disciples for what will happen.  His discussion concerns living a radical life.  Stopping, he takes a child and sits this child in his lap..  “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 

 

Now many scholars and theologians will give this long dissertation concerning the attributes of a child.  Yet, in the context of Jesus calling His disciples to a radical discipleship, this takes on a deeper meaning.  Jesus is challenging his disciples to surrender everything and totally rely upon the Father for everything.  As a child does not worry about life and its “needs,” the disciples must be just the same.

 

How about you?  Do you totally rely upon Jesus for everything or do your hedge your corners?  A child looks to their parents for all, so must followers of Jesus rely upon Jesus for all.

Divorce is a very touchy subject for many people.  Whether it happens Biblicaly or not, few are happy about it, while many condemn it.

 

In Mark’s account (Mark 10:1 – 12), Jesus approaches the topic in the context of radical discipleship.  He attacks the issue based upon the Pharisee’s hard hearts (selfish hearts).  They divorced at a whim, not according to God’ commands.

 

Divorce was not part of God’s design.  God’s design was that the two become one, spiritually and physically.  This union was to be an example of the unity of God and the unity of Jesus and the church.  It was created to be unique, special, and rewarding.

 

The only time one could divorce was for sexual immorality or adultery.  Adultery is a breach of trust.  Many believe that it is the physical attack and it is, but it can also be anytime that one person puts anything before their spouse.  This would include a job, hobby, friends, or even children.  The scared union between a man and woman is just that, scared, special, meaningful.  It should never be taken for granted.

Throughout history there are men who stand out.  Many because of their faith, some because of their convictions.  These men had several characteristics in common.

1.  They truly believed in their mission or cause.

2.  They never gave up, no matter the odds.

3.  They believed in themselves

4.  They listened to wisdom (many from God).

5.  They never changed no matter what society stated.

 

Men like George Washington, John Calvin, Martin Luther, David, Abraham Lincoln, had a solid belief system, a firm grasp on the situation at hand, and never gave up on the task.  Men that we need today.

 

Yesterday was Memorial Day.  I hope that you stopped and took a moment to be grateful for all the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.  They gave up their careers, dreams, and family for our freedoms.  Many take these freedoms for granted because they did not have to sacrifice.  

I have lost friends while serving this nation.  To this day, I remember them and thank God for their lives.  It humbles me to think that they were willing to live and die for us, for me. 

 

The same is true with Jesus.  He willingly came to this earth, to live and die for us.  It was a decision.  It should humble us all.

 

So this day, give God thanks and live a life worth their sacrifice.

Have you ever noticed how fast time seems to fly by?  Days sometimes become a blur.  Within hours it is time to go back to bed.  One day you are 29 and the next day you are 39.  Time flies.

 

There is one commodity of life that is not replaceable.  That would be time.  Once it is here it is gone and can never be replaced, replayed, or redone.   So every moment is important.  Every second is a blessing.  What you choose to do with it is your choice.

I have heard these words before, “so what, the tomb is empty.  Big deal.”  They are said in sarcasm.  The person saying them is not really concerned with an empty tomb, Easter, or candy.  This individual just wants to get on with life.  Belief in anything is not an option.

 

The empty tomb has no bearing upon them, because they just do not believe.  For years they have seen the lives of so-called “Christians” and they are left numb be the commonality between the two.  Sadly, many “Christians” live as if the tomb still has an occupant. Communion is celebrated.  The cross is remembered.  However, the empty tomb is overlooked or simply dis-guarded.

 

Why?  Simply put, if the tomb is empty, where is Jesus?  Now that is a mind stopping question.  For if Jesus is alive, he has to be somewhere, right?  Many would say, “he is at the right-hand throne of God.”  Correct.  Yet is that all?   If God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit (often forgotten) are one, then when the Holy Spirit comes into one’s life, does not Jesus come also?  WHAT!?!?!? 

 

It is true.  Holy Spirit, God, and Jesus are one.  When one enters a person’s heart, they all come.   So where is Jesus?  If you have accepted to follow Him, He is in your heart. 

 

When demons are mentioned today, we think of the demons portrayed by Hollywood.  Yet, when Jesus encountered demons, they were terrified of Him.  They knew that there were facing the Son of God.

 

Today we do not really believe in demons.  Members of the Satanic Church do, but Christians for the most part do not.  Demons do exist.  They have for centuries and will even at the end of time.  They attack God’s people, innocent children and the elderly.   Anyone who has not the Holy Spirit may unknowingly have a demon.  Could be.

 

Why this topic?  Because, we need to grow in our knowledge of life.  This is one aspect of life that we often ignore.  Jesus did not.  Jesus attacked Satan and his army head on.  He did not weaver.  As we should today.