Daily Bible Devotionals

“Then, if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah! Look – there!’ do not believe it! For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and will perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the elect. And you must watch. I have told you everything in advance.” Mark 13:21-23 (HCSB)

On my first visit to Israel, I noticed the abundance of posters bearing the image of Rabbi Menachem Schneerson. Also known as “The Rebbe,” Schneerson is believed to be the Messiah by many Lubavitch Orthodox Jews.

At Jerusalem’s Western Wall, a fellow handed me a business card bearing Schneerson’s smiling photograph, sporting the caption, “Moshiach.” Although the “Rebbe” died in 1994, many of his followers await his resurrection, or at least his next transmission of truth. I carry that card in my wallet as a reminder of today’s passage.

The hope of the coming Messiah is one of the driving forces behind much of the Jewish community. It drives why and how they worship. Their expectations of who the Messiah will be, what He should look like, and what He will do are not unlike those of the average religious Jew of Jesus’ time. It is a sad reality that Messiah has already come & gone, yet He is not recognized by most of the Jewish community at large.

“He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” John 1:11 (KJV)

There have been more than 50 significant messianic pretenders in Judaism over the past 2000 years. Some of them have been very convincing. One eventually became a Moslem, and another converted to Roman Catholicism, but none have met the Messianic criteria laid out in the Tanakh (aka: Old Testament). Jesus, alone, met ALL of the requirements, which were applicable to His first coming, and He will fulfill all those pertaining to His 2nd coming, as well!

When the Temple was destroyed in 70AD, so were the Temple records. Today it would be impossible to provide a genealogy like Matthew’s, proving the Messianic line from David up to today. Messiah had to come before 70AD.

Just as ancient prophecies of Messiah’s arrival were met exactly by Jesus, so has His prophecy of pretenders come true...and the pretenders are still coming! The heart of man would rather believe in a lie than accept the truth of God’s Word. But that is what makes the gospel of Jesus of utmost importance and our call to be His witnesses so urgent! Messiah’s 2nd coming will not be to suffer and save but rather to redeem the remnant of believers (both Jewish & Gentile believers) and judge the sin of the World’s unbelief (both Jewish & Gentile unbelievers).

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6b (NKJV)

“Sitting across from the temple treasury, He watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. And a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. Summoning His disciples, He said to them, ‘I assure you: This poor widow has put in more than those giving to the temple treasury. For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she possessed – all she had to live on.’” Mark 12:41-44 (HCSB)

Throughout Mark 12 and the beginning of chapter 13 are a series of teachings, forming a continuous thought concerning money and the heart.

Perhaps, the most endearing teaching is the account of Jesus’ recognition & honoring of a poor widow as she presented her offering in the temple. It is worth noting that Jesus was WATCHING the crowd as they gave their money. He wasn’t just in the proximity of the offering box; He was watching intently. So much so that Jesus noticed even the smallest of offerings.

Messiah’s notice of the widow’s offering adds to the urgency of His warning against the Scribes. “They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show.” Mark 12:40a (HCSB)

Jesus’ observation of the widow is closely tied to His quoting of the “Shema” (Hebrew for “Listen/Hear”) earlier in Mark 12. “Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is ONE. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mark 12:29-30 (HCSB)

This widow was living out the Shema while the Scribes only rendered lip service. For his glory, she believed in God with all that she had and was. The Scribes were exploiting all she had to bring glory to themselves.

Sadly, the religious leaders, those whose job it was to exemplify the Shema, had chosen to ignore Jesus’ exhortation. “Then Jesus told them, ‘Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.’” Mark 12:17 (HCSB)

In coveting the things of Caesar, they robbed God of His most cherished offering: themselves.

Given what the “shepherds of Israel” had become, is it any wonder Messiah will predict the temple’s destruction at the beginning of Mark 13?

Let us always remember that Jesus intently watches our “offerings,” whether they be offerings of money, time, or talent. As God is One, let us each worship Him “singularly,” that is, wholly & completely.

“The next day when they came out from Bethany, He was hungry. After seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, He went to find out if there was any fruit on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. He said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again!’ And His disciples heard it.” Mark 11:12-14 (HCSB)

“Early in the morning, as they were passing by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Then Peter remembered and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed is withered.’” Mark 11:20-21 (HCSB)

One of the most enigmatic passages in the New Testament is this episode where Jesus curses a fig tree. What makes the story so bizarre, for some people, is that the fig tree wasn’t even in season for bearing figs. For many years, I felt sorry for the fig tree, as if one could have remorse for a tree!

My opinion of today’s passage changed when I read Micah’s prophecy of this account. In my Bible, this passage is titled: Israel’s Moral Decline.

“How sad for me! For I am like one who – when the summer fruit has been gathered after the gleaning of the grape harvest – finds no grape cluster to eat, NO EARLY FIG (emphasis mine), which I crave. Godly people have vanished from the land; there is no one upright among the people. All of them wait in ambush to shed blood; they hunt each other with a net. Both hands are good at accomplishing evil: the official and the judge demand a bribe; when the powerful man communicates his desire, they plot it together. The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is worse than a hedge of thorns. The day of your watchmen, the day of your punishment is coming; at this time, their panic is here. Do not rely on a friend, don’t trust in a close companion. Seal your mouth from the woman who lies in your arms. Surely a son considers his father a fool, a daughter opposes her mother, and a daughter-in-law is against her mother-in-law; a person’s enemies are the people in his own home. But, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.” Micah 7:1-7 (HCSB)

When Jesus cursed the fig tree, He was, in effect, cursing what Jerusalem had become. As the fig tree withered, so Judaism in Jerusalem would soon wither and cease to produce fruit. Within a short time, the Romans destroyed the temple in 70AD. To this day, Temple worship is dried up! Notice how Micah’s prophecy chronicles the “behind the scenes” activity of Messiah’s last days, beginning with the cursing of the fig tree and leading up to His being ambushed, beaten, betrayed by close friends, and crucified…and ultimately, His resurrection.

“As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before Him, and asked, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ‘Why do you call Me good?’ Jesus asked him. ‘No one is good but One – God.’” Mark 10:17-18 (HCSB)

At the end of Mark chapter 8, we read Peter’s confession that Jesus is Messiah. The backdrop for that conversation was a place called Caesarea Philippi. Caesarea Philippi was a place of pagan worship, where idols were carved into the cliff face, ala Mt. Rushmore. Three rivers merge there and form a waterfall that feeds the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River, eventually ending in the Dead Sea. Caesarea Philippi was considered so evil among the Jews that it was known as “the gates of Hell.”

When Jesus asked His disciples who people said He was, behind Him would have been various idols.

“So they answered, ‘John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.’” Mark 8:20 (NKJV)

In Mark 10, a man known in Scripture as “the rich young ruler” calls Jesus “Good Teacher.” It is an honest evaluation from a young man who is impressed with Jesus’ teaching but stops short of confessing Him as Messiah. It reminds us of Jesus’ conversation with “the teacher of Israel,” Nicodemus, in John 3. Nicodemus begins that conversation, “We know that You are a teacher….”

In the Hebrew translations, this “rich young ruler” in Mark 10 called Jesus a good “rabbi.” This title is a step up from those who only considered Jesus to be on the level of a scribe (advanced student). The young man actually considered Jesus to be a rabbi…one who had authority.

When the young man added “good” to the rabbinic title, this intrigued Jesus and demanded clarification. Jesus was essentially saying, “If you are confessing that I am the ‘God Rabbi,’ you’ve got it!” This man was close to the truth, yet so far away.

Today, there are still many opinions as to who Jesus is/was. Sadly, not much has changed in 2000 years. Some say He had a demon; some say He was a liar; others a “good teacher” or perhaps a prophet.

The real question is: Who do YOU say Jesus is? Messiah? Then right you are! The GOOD NEWS of the Gospel is that He has fulfilled all the works of the Torah (Law) so that we may inherit eternal life by His Grace when we place our faith in Him. But apart from receiving salvation (which is paid for entirely with the blood of the Messiah), following Jesus isn’t easy. For many people, following Jesus requires more than they are willing to give up. Be strong and take courage so that you may faithfully follow Him wherever and however He leads…trusting in His goodness because of His “God-ness.”

“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt should lose its saltiness, how can you make it salty? Have salt among yourselves and be at peace with one another.” Mark 9:49-50 (HCSB)

I heard a comedian once say, “I bought some powdered water…I don’t know what to add.” Perhaps similar logic could be used to explain the uselessness of salt-less salt!

Theologians have tried to explain this passage from several different angles. First, in the days of Jesus, salt was a valuable commodity. Soldiers were partially paid in salt. The word “soldier” comes from the Latin term “sal dare,” meaning to give salt. Our word “salary” comes from the similar Latin word “salarium,” meaning to get salt. In today’s passage, the image of “Fire” is obviously speaking of a trial or difficult season.

Using this approach, Jesus could have been saying that our worth will be determined (or at least evaluated) by how well we endure suffering. That is, the trials we face should bring us to an understanding of the value of our faith.

Furthermore, if the trial exposes that we are unfaithful, what good is our religion (outward expression) if founded on such weak faith? In such a case, corrupted religion must be scrapped & hauled away, with true religion brought in to establish the proper faithful foundation.

Continuing with that line of thought, Jesus would be directing His disciples to have peace with one another by seeing each individual’s value to the kingdom, as a soldier “worth his salt” has value to the Roman Empire.

Another approach to “saltiness” is that Temple sacrifices had to be seasoned with salt as a sign of the permanence of God’s covenant.

“You are to season each of your grain offerings with salt; you must not omit from your grain offering the salt of the covenant with your God.” Leviticus 2:13a (HCSB)

“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 (HCSB)

In this case, Jesus is saying that the trials we endure act as a preservative reminder of God’s covenant with us through Messiah. Trials make us cry out to Him. When He responds faithfully, our faith is strengthened. If our flesh compels us to rebel against Him (because of trials), it would be better to abandon our flesh in favor of our faith. Additionally, the strength of a healthy church is that it holds us accountable and encourages our relationship with the Lord.

Here’s the obvious: The Christian life is not absent of conflict. Rather, it is the presence of peace in the midst of conflict that should distinguish us as belonging to Jesus.

“So as he stepped ashore, He saw a huge crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.”  Mark 6:34

One of the titles Matthew gives Jesus is “Son of David.” From the line of David, Messiah Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who came to redeem the lost sheep of Israel.

Perhaps, the most well-known Davidic song is Psalm 23*, “The Lord Is My Shepherd.” Not only is Psalm 23 poetically beautiful, but it is also prophetic. Here in Mark 6*, we see David’s prophecy of Jesus’ ministry being fulfilled.

“The Lord Is My Shepherd;” Psalm 23:1a

“So as he stepped ashore, He saw a huge crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” Mark 6:34

“There is nothing I lack.” Psalm23:1b

“When it was already late, His disciples approached Him and said, ‘This place is a wilderness, and it is already late! Send them away so they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages to buy something for themselves to eat.’ ‘You give them something to eat,’ He responded.” Mark 6:35-37

“He lets me lie down in green pastures;” Psalm 23:2a

“Then He instructed the disciples to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass.” Mark 6:39

“He leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:2b

“People ran there by land from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. So as He stepped ashore, He saw the crowds and had compassion on them.” Mark 6:33b-34a

“He renews my life;” Psalm 23:3a

“Everyone ate and was filled.” Mark 6:42

“He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3b

“Then He began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:34b

Perhaps, as you continue to read and compare Mark 6 with Psalm 23, you will recall similarities of Jesus’ shepherding in your own life.

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*All verses are HCSB

“Then the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, ‘Why don’t Your disciples live according to the traditions of the elders, instead of eating bread with ritually unclean hands?’ He answered them, ‘Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men. Disregarding the command of God, you keep the tradition of men.’” Mark 7: 5-8 (HCSB)

Many people believe that Jesus rejected ALL traditions. This is not so. There are many New Testament traditions. (see also 1 Corinthians 11:2 and 2 Thessalonians 2:15)

As for Oral Rabbinic traditions, in John 7:37, Jesus and His disciples participated in a Sukkot festival observance, which is not mentioned in the Tanakh (Old Testament). It is only found in the Mishna, a collection of rabbinic writings. On that occasion, Jesus took the opportunity to refocus a water-drawing ceremony, traditionally conducted by the High Priest, into a statement of His Messianic role. John 10:22-39 has Jesus in the Temple at the “Festival of Dedication,” aka, Hanukkah. There He was, the “Light of the World,” in the Temple at Hanukkah, a traditional Jewish holiday not directly mentioned in the Old Testament but supported by tradition.

When Jesus took issue with the “tradition of the elders”(or the “Oral Torah” as it is also known), it was whenever the Pharisees placed human tradition over God’s command. As long as a tradition is consistent with the Bible and honored by the people as such, there is nothing wrong with the tradition. We cannot assume that ALL rabbinic tradition is bad. It must be weighed by God’s Word and should never be esteemed higher than His Word.

Pertaining to today’s Scripture, the practice of ritual hand washing is still in effect in Orthodox Judaism. The rationale has less to do with hygiene and is based mainly on the idea that “a man’s home is his temple,” with the dining table, his altar, his food, the sacrifice, and himself the priest. Since the Torah requires priests to be ceremonially pure before offering sacrifices on the Temple altar, the “Oral Tradition” requires the same for every man before eating a meal.

So, which traditions are permissible, and which ones lead to sin? My answer is simple: Read the Bible. By spending quality time in God’s Word every day, we learn His heart. We learn to love the things He loves and hate the things He hates. In short, we become discerning as to which attitudes & behaviors honor God.

The more we disregard His Word, the more susceptible we are to follow a “teaching of men” instead of the Way of the Lord.

“As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed kept begging Jesus to stay with Him. But He would not let him; instead, He told him, ‘Go back home to your own people, and report to them how much the Lord had done for you and how He has had mercy on you.’” Mark 5:18-19 (HCSB)

Having left the religious Jewish town of Capernaum, Jesus departed by boat to the “other side” of the Galilee. Scripture says He did this because the crowds in Capernaum were growing too large. The region of the Gerasenes (aka Gaderenes) was a Gentile region.

It is essential to know that religious Jews did not mix with Gentile communities. I say this to point out a practical reason for Jesus’ journey to the “other side.” If you want to be left alone by a large crowd of religious Jews, the region of Gerasene was the right destination!

Therefore, it cannot be assumed that everyone Jesus interfaced in the region of the Gerasenes was Jewish. If there were Jews in the Gerasene area, there would not have been many, and they were by no means religious. The plain fact that the community was farming pigs is another strong argument for the absence of Jews.

While the Jews were prejudiced against mingling with Gentiles, we know that Satan isn’t! Satan wants to control ALL nations & people groups. When Jesus and His disciples sailed into town, demons were tormenting the Gentiles, just as they had been tormenting the Jews in Capernaum. This issue posed a perfect opportunity for Messiah to communicate to His disciples: I am (ultimately) sent to redeem ALL NATIONS.

“Prejudice” is essentially the “demonization” of a people group. To undo prejudice, one must “humanize” the object of discrimination. For His disciples, Jesus was “humanizing” this Gentile, known in Scripture as a “demoniac.” Once the demons had left, a regular, friendly, likable guy remained. Jesus was breaking down the prejudice of His disciples, preparing them for the “Great Commission.” (Matthew 28:16-20)

As Jesus and His disciples were leaving, the man pleaded with Jesus to let him go with them. The Shepherd of Israel’s directive for this Gentile was for him to “Go back home to YOUR OWN PEOPLE.” Then, the man evangelized the Decapolis, 10 Greek-influenced Gentile communities. It’s all further evidence that the man was a Gentile. Note the difference to Jesus’ directives in Capernaum, where He instructed the ones He healed not to tell anyone but to go to the priest and offer the gifts Moses had prescribed. This is not the case with His words to the former “demoniac” because Jesus did not have to send the message to the Gentiles that He was not operating outside Mosaic Law.

In a sense, the “former demoniac” acted as a type of “John the Baptist” for the Apostles. He went ahead of the likes of Paul, preparing the soil of the Gentile mission field by testifying of all that God had done for him through His Son, Jesus.

“When He was alone with the Twelve, those who were around Him asked Him about the parables. He answered them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those outside, everything comes in parables so that they may look and look, yet not perceive; they may listen and listen, yet not understand; otherwise, they might turn back and be forgiven.’” Mark 4:10-12 (HCSB)

At a glance, it seems that Jesus wants some men to know the truth and others not to. But this is not the case because, if it were, His motive would be inconsistent with Scripture.

For example:

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV)

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NASB 95)

So what’s the deal with Jesus’s statement about insiders and outsiders?

First off, let’s examine who was with Jesus. Some Bible translations lead you to believe it was just Jesus and the twelve disciples. The more accurate translations indicate that the twelve were there, but there were also others.

In Scripture, Jesus is highly concerned about the source of testimony regarding His miracles and Messianic identity. He directed people to “tell no one, rather show yourself to the priests and present the offering Moses required.” He wanted things to stay on the eye-witness level and not become a mob witness. Whenever a demon announced Jesus as Messiah, Jesus would silence it. He sent the people He healed directly to the priest.

Jesus wanted the Spirit to reveal that He was Messiah, not demons, a mob, or human intellect. That is not to say that we should not preach the Gospel. It is merely that our powers of persuasion do not make unbelievers believe. The Spirit reveals Truth when we preach. And Truth is found when people humbly seek it because they are willing to receive the testimony of the Spirit, whose ministry is to reveal Truth. To the non-believer, the Bible (and Biblical preaching) is just a collection of words and ideas. But matched with the Holy Spirit, God’s Word becomes “revelation.” For those willing to receive the Spirit’s revelation, otherwise simple morality lessons or “parables” become foundations for repentance and faithful living. Outsiders come in.

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah

[son of Jonah], for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.’” Matthew 16:17 (NKJV)

Salvation is offered exclusively through Jesus but is available to all who will humble themselves, receive the testimony of God’s Spirit, and faithfully choose to believe.

“‘On the other hand, no one can enter a strong man’s house and rob his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he will rob his house. I assure you: People will be forgiven for all sins and whatever blasphemies they may blaspheme. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness but is guilty of an eternal sin’ – because they were saying ‘He has an unclean spirit’.” Mark 3:27-30 (HCSB)

In today’s passage, The Scribes were accusing Jesus of using demonic power to cast out demons. There are two types of “Scribes” in the Gospels. One kind is the aged “expert” in Torah. The word “Scribe” also describes advanced Torah students who were yet to be ordained as rabbis. In today’s passage, this latter type was speaking with Jesus, the students with limited authority because of their incomplete training. These Scribes were not allowed to do two things. 1) They could not interpret Scripture independently (apart from their teacher’s articulated interpretations). 2) They were not allowed to make judgments. By their accusations, the Scribes were either 1) Stepping outside of their authority or 2) Acting as mouthpieces of their Torah instructors.

Jesus begins dismantling their argument with simple logic. “Satan cannot drive out himself.” Imagine how unwilling a pit bull is to let go of its victim. That’s Satan...and worse! Jesus is saying Satan is only & always singularly focused unless compelled by an overwhelming EXTERNAL influence.

That said, Jesus quickly compares and contrasts the impossibility of Satan’s kingdom being divided with the historical reality of Israel’s divided kingdom. Of course, this had to sting the hearts of those Scribes who had dedicated their lives to studying the Torah and Prophets, the history of Israel!

In His analogy, Jesus reminds the Scribes of how Satan had once bound the hearts of Israel’s forefathers, rabbis whose interpretations the Scribes were, no doubt, learning. Once bound up in sin, Israel’s kingdom became divided. Eventually, the Babylonians conquered Israel, exiled its inhabitants, and carried away the Temple articles to Babylon.

Per God’s direction to Israel through the prophets, if the Jews would turn back to God, He would forgive them, restoring them to the land. Regardless of their sin or blasphemy, one could be forgiven if they acknowledged their sin and repented. Jesus is extending an earthly image of restoration into the heavenly realm.

What makes Jesus’ message even more poignant is how He knew the Holy Spirit had revealed this truth to the Scribes. They knew in their hearts that Jesus was Messiah but rejected that revelation. The only sin for which there is no forgiveness is to KNOW that Jesus is Messiah and to die having rejected Him. This is literally “blaspheming the revelation of the Holy Spirit,” essentially saying, “Holy Spirit, you are revealing a lie.”

“And then He told them, ‘The Sabbath was made because of man and not man because of the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.’” Mark 2:27-28 (NKJV)

One of the main arguments that religious Jews have against Christians is that they profane the Sabbath (“Shabbat” in Hebrew). Not only do most Christians recognize a different day of worship in the Jewish mind, but Christians have also lost touch with the Hebraic understanding of “how” to observe Shabbat. Sadly, most Jewish people have no idea that there are congregations of Messianic believers who meet every Shabbat. So, most of the Jewish community only has the “Church” as their example.

Perhaps, you have heard the old Jewish saying, “Ask five rabbis, and you’ll get ten opinions!” Not all Rabbis agree on how to observe the Sabbath either. There are Orthodox, Ultra-Orthodox, Conservative, and Reformed, and various sects of each. In the more religious homes, Shabbat controls your life. On Shabbat, everything is required to be turned off. Refrigerators, elevators, clocks…nothing is allowed to “work” on Shabbat.

But among religious Jews, there are dissenting opinions. In the Talmud, Rabbi Yonatan ben-Yosef, (commenting on Exodus 31:12-17) said, “For it (Shabbat) is holy unto you. That is, it is committed into your hands, not you into its hands!”

A similar passage appears in the Mekhilta Shabbata and is attributed to Rabbi Shimon Ben-Menaysa.

The debate concerning “man’s dominion over Shabbat” vs. “Shabbat’s dominion over man” is not exclusively Jewish/Christian. It is contested even among Jews!

David Stern, in his “Jewish New Testament Commentary,” makes this observation:

“It may be, therefore, that Yeshua’s comment in verse 28, that ‘the Son of Man is Lord of Shabbat,’ does not refer only to Himself but to EVERYONE, since the Hebrew words’ Ben-Adam’ (literal son of man) can mean simply” ‘man, person,’ with no Messianic overtone: “people control Shabbat and not the other way around.”

Perhaps, this is why Paul exhorted the early Messianic community (aka the Church):

“Therefore, no one is to act as your judge in regard to food, or drink, or in respect to a festival, or a new moon, or a Sabbath day - things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” Colossians 2:16-17 (NASB 95)

Regardless of the day a person deems as the “Sabbath,” we are the stewards of the Shabbat. Not the other way around. For practical reasons, Sabbath has been given to us to force us to rest and focus on God. It also points us to the eternal “rest” we will one day enter into with Messiah Jesus in the Kingdom to come.

“Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.” Matthew 27:38

I believe Jerusalem is the center of the world. That may sound esoteric, but it’s the way I feel the Bible teaches it. On the world map, everything to the left of Jerusalem is called “the West.” Everything on the right is called “the East.”

Ever wondered why Jesus was crucified between two “thieves”? Why not murderers, heretics, drunkards, or anything other than thieves?

Whenever I think about the thieves flanking Jesus, it reminds me of the differences between Eastern and Western cultures; and how the East & West have stolen from God.

What sums up Eastern philosophy? The East is typified by religious discipline, without a personal relationship to God. It is impressive (and sometimes a bit scary) how far Eastern religions go to appease God. Be it Allah, Vishnu, or any of the millions of Eastern religious gods, none of them invite you to a personal relationship with a loving & gracious Savior. Their gods are impersonal and always need appeasing. Who would dare expect that kind of god to call you a “brother” or “friend,” “son” or “daughter”?

What about the West? The West wants liberty without accountability. Western culture doesn’t want anything to hinder the pursuit of happiness. It seeks to eliminate whatever rules may stifle the desire of the individual. If Western culture has a creed, it might be, “If it feels good, do it!” or perhaps, “Your belief is good for you; just don’t interfere with my pursuit of happiness.” After all, without tolerance of others’ pursuit of liberty, how could we “Coexist,” as the bumper sticker reads?

I’m not sure that my observation of East and West was intended in Scripture. My statements are merely what I thought of when I read today’s passage. Still, it is plain to see the East and West have stolen from Jesus. Perhaps, the thieves on either side of Jesus can act as a stern reminder that being more Conservative or Liberal than God directs is stealing from Him and altering what He requires of us.

Jesus commands us to be disciplined, but He also wants a personal relationship. He bestows liberty but gives us boundaries. In contrast to thieves who steal from anyone they can con, Jesus offers mercy to the guilty and grace to anyone who will receive it.

Have you received His free gift of atonement (the covering/pardoning of sins)? Simply turn to Him. “Declare it with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe it in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:9-10

In other words, believe in Jesus and make it public.

“Then Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20

When Jesus commanded the apostles to make disciples of all nations, He was allowing them to have limited participation in fulfilling the prophecy of Daniel.

“I continued watching in the night visions, and I saw One like a son of man coming in the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him. He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14

The idea of immersing the Gentiles in the “name” of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit was utterly revolutionary to the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day. First off, notice Jesus doesn’t say “names” (plural), but rather “name” (singular). He is referencing the persons of God as “one name.” He recognizes what we know as the “Trinity” of God.

Secondly, before this command for “people of all nations” to be immersed in God’s name, it was commonly believed among the Jews that only Hebrews would be called by the Lord’s name. They had been taught (and rightly so) that the Jewish people were a special people, created by a miracle (in that He brought forth a son from Abraham & Sarah, way past child-bearing age), chosen to be a nation of priests. It’s one thing to be chosen, but another thing to accept your calling, to “choose your chosen-ness,” as it were.

Through the generations, a critical understanding of the source of Israel’s “chosen status” was lost. First off, God chose to call a man from Mesopotamia named Abraham to follow Him. Second, by faith, Abraham chose to believe God and follow Him. Third, even though Abraham was as sinful as the next guy, God counted his faithful response as righteousness. That is Grace. God is willing to consider faith from imperfect people as if it were righteousness. It is essential to know it is not our faith in and of itself that saves us. Rather, God’s grace is that he considers the OBJECT of our faith, Jesus, to be the worthy substitute for our sin debt…covering us completely.

While we were yet sinners, Messiah chose to love us, even unto death. By virtue of His resurrection, He is alive today and He chooses to offer eternal life to anyone who would receive it. He also chooses to reveal Himself by the persuasive power of His Spirit, that mankind would, perhaps, by faith, choose to repent & follow Him. In return, He chooses to impute His righteousness into our “bankrupt spiritual accounts,” so to speak.

Now that you have chosen to follow the Lord who chose to offer you salvation, do you choose to carry His gospel to all the nations…starting with your next-door neighbors?

“Then Jesus told him, ‘Put your sword back in its place because all who take up the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and He will provide Me at once with more than 12 legions of angels? How then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?’” Matthew 26:52-54

It is challenging for us to understand Kingdom economy. Even our most spiritual moments are filtered through the lens of our experience in this world. The disciples had spent three years hearing Jesus teach. But the years prior were spent listening to various rabbis effuse on how Messiah would look, what He would do, and how the Jewish people would benefit by Messiah’s coming.

Even down to the moment of Jesus’ arrest, Peter still thought He was starting a political coup. The disciples even argued and lobbied for cabinet positions in the coming kingdom. They didn’t have dreams of world evangelism or global reconciliation. They definitely weren’t looking for martyrdom. They simply wanted an eternal power shift that let them be bosses for a change.

The disciples looked forward to an earthly kingdom, while Jesus was concerned with the Heavenly one. So, how do you gauge your kingdom allegiance?

Those who set up earthly kingdoms would barter their souls for dominion in this world. They don’t humble themselves before the Lord. They consider Him an intellectual equal, at best. They lack the faith to live sacrificially because giving up possession & power would diminish their kingdom. In the words of Adrian Rogers, “the only ‘god’ they serve is the one they see looking back in the mirror.”

People living for the heavenly Kingdom conduct their lives in such a way that it would be utter foolishness were there no resurrection from the dead. They are not swayed by anything earthly and would be willing to give up everything for the cause of the Messiah. Their hope lies not in the perishable earth but in the incorruptible eternal Kingdom of heaven.

Question: do you allow the joy of your salvation to transcend the “here & now” and to live for the hope of the “there & then”?

“For it is just like a man going on a journey. He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them. To one, he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one – to each according to his own ability.” Matthew 25:14-15

In most circles, the words “gifted” and “talented” are synonymous. While gifts and talents are both attributed to grace, each has a unique purpose.

“GIFTS,” or “spiritual gifts,” are ABILITIES the Lord bestows to all people. (See the lists in Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 13-15, and elsewhere.) Each person is created to glorify God uniquely. God desires everyone use their gifts for His glory. Sadly, most people don’t attribute their gifts to God. They simply choose to think of themselves as extraordinary and seek to use their gifts to glorify themselves.

Gifts come in combinations. Like the contents of a piñata, everyone’s gift set is varied and unique. Still, one gift usually dominates the others.

I consider a “TALENT” as an OPPORTUNITY in which to invest your gift in God’s Kingdom. When the Lord gives a talent, He always matches the opportunity with your ability: Gift & Talent. Perhaps, you have heard the phrase, “Where God guides, He provides.” I would add, “When God provides a spiritual gift, He always guides us to a place to invest that gift.

Those who follow His leading, with the intent to invest their gifts, see an INCREASE. The increase is directly proportional to the talent/gift combination. Increase is measured in 1) Kingdom impact and 2) your personal growth. Your faith broadens as others are discipled by you seizing the opportunity to invest your gift(s) in their lives. As your faith grows, the Lord gives you greater opportunities. It all spirals upward.

“To whom much has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” Luke 12:48b

Let’s say you ignore God’s “talent.” Maybe, you’re scared or unsure. The Kingdom doesn’t grow, and nor do you. “Burying” your talent negatively impacts your faith. You never give the Lord a chance to build your faith by showing His increase. Instead of stretching, you shrink. The Lord may send someone else to accomplish what you refused to begin, and they (along with the person/people invested in) will reap the increase.

Everyone is gifted. Every believer has the privilege & opportunity to labor in the Kingdom. Let’s be sensitive to how God leads us today, and let’s invest the gifts (He has given us) in the opportunities He presents, thus reaping the rewards of the faithful!

“Then Jesus replied to them, ‘Watch that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name saying ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed because those things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of birth pains.’” Matthew 24:4-8

When my wife Misti was pregnant with our first child, some friends threw us a baby shower. Although she was several weeks away from her due date, by the end of the evening, Misti announced she was in labor. I drove like NASCAR to the hospital!

Two hours later, I was driving Misti home, staring out the window, neither of us talking to each other. Chalk it up to first-time pregnancy, but sometimes, false labor feels like the real thing. When in doubt, trust the doctor. We ended up having two false alarms before her water broke and ushered in actual labor.

Reading the Bible and looking around the World, it seems we are living in the last days. I believe Jesus’ return is imminent. War, natural disasters, and rank immorality are all signs of the end times. How will one know the difference between the “birth pains” and the actual “day of deliverance?” It will be as evident as a pregnant woman’s water breaking!

I say it often; there are two things that confound a fool: 1) How slow God is to act, and 2) How quickly He shows up!

Where is Jesus?

“In My Father’s house are many rooms. If that were not true, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2-3

So, why has He delayed His return?

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Rabbinic Judaism teaches that Messiah has not yet come. Some even go as far as to acknowledge Jesus as a prophet, but His followers misunderstood him. Don’t allow yourself to be led astray. Listen to what Jesus said and make sure you are following the right WAY, the TRUTH of the gospel, so that you may enter into the LIFE promised to all who would believe!

“I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no man comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6

“Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have taken part with them in shedding the prophet’s blood.’ You, therefore, testify against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ sins!!” Matthew 23:29-32

When I was a teenager, I had a list of things I would never say when I grew up and had children of my own. Guess what? I say MANY those phrases to my kids, and they’ll probably say them to their kids! Like it or not, we are products of our upbringing.

The Pharisees and Sadducees had commendable zeal. They were willing to suffer for what they believed. The problem was that they were sincerely wrong in certain crucial theological conclusions, mainly in that they did not recognize Jesus as Messiah.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day loved to work for the Lord, but their works were ultimately deemed ineffective for the Kingdom because they had been taught attitudes & opinions that were contra to God’s heart. When the foundation is flawed, the structure built upon it is jeopardized. Israel’s spiritual leaders had mostly traded the solid foundation of the TANAKH (Old Testament) for the unsteady foundation of the rabbinical opinions & judgments concerning the Old Testament. The practice of learning rabbinical tradition had largely replaced personally seeking God’s revelation, His Word.

Religious leaders became so consumed with the “How” that they lost the “WHO.” Forms of worship overshadowed the object of worship, the Lord.

What’s worse, these leaders believed they had evolved beyond the righteousness of their fathers, who had rejected the prophets. Jesus gave a simple exhortation: Like Father, like son.

To that end, they remind me of some church leaders in our generation. Indeed, some preachers believe today’s society has evolved beyond the Bible. They scoff at conservative believers who suggest that we should take the Bible literally regarding various issues like homosexuality, church leadership paradigms, and abortion. In doing so, they elevate their opinions above those of Moses, the Apostle Paul, or even Jesus!

We mustn’t accuse our fathers without recognizing we have inherited many of their well-intended, yet sinful, attitudes about God. The only way to break sin patterns is to humble ourselves, repent, and ask God to reveal the truth of His WORD to us. We must then commit ourselves to living within that truth, even when uncomfortable or unpopular.

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Matthew 22. Click the links below to watch or listen.

“Jesus went into the temple complex and drove out all those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables and the chairs of those selling doves. And He said to them, ‘It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of thieves.’” Matthew 21:12-13

I’ve tried to imagine Jesus clearing the temple within the context of all the other images of Him that exist. There is the simple wisdom of “country-come-city” Jesus...almost an Andy Griffith type. Don’t forget the cartoonish Sunday School “felt board” Jesus. And of course, you’ve got the image of the vulnerable blond-haired, blue-eyed frail “Jesus” portrayed by renaissance European Stained glass and fine artists. “Clearing the temple” Jesus foreshadows the returning King redeeming His bride (the Church-at-large) and judging the World.

Jesus announced a new era when he cleared the temple. He sent two emphatic messages to the ruling elite:1) The temple is His inheritance, and 2) There is room in the covenant for all the nations.

Jesus claims ownership of the temple by quoting Isaiah, “MY house…” This was personal. He didn’t say “Your” house, “Our” house, or “God’s” house.

A more in-depth look at the context of the Isaiah quote reveals why Jesus chose this particular passage. Isaiah 56 sends a message of hope for all people. Jesus’ statement: A relationship with God has never been (nor would it ever be) an exclusive Hebrew thing. It has always been (and will forever remain) a “by grace, through faith” thing. Ephesians 2:8-9

“And the foreigners who convert to the Lord, minister to Him, Love the Lord’s name and are His servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it, and who hold firmly to My covenant – I will bring them to My holy mountain and let them rejoice in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:6-7

Jesus told the temple establishment, in essence, “I am restoring My house to its original intent: WHOSOEVER turns to Me, may worship me here!”

“For God so loved the World, He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Note that Isaiah did NOT prophesy, “Whoever converts to Judaism,” rather, “Whoever converts to the LORD.” What worship had become in Israel had strayed from God’s Word; Jesus was restoring a proper understanding. I pray that the Lord gives you clarity and correct understanding of His Word by the revelation of His Spirit so that you can walk rightly before Him and rightly divide the truth when men claim to be speaking on His behalf.

“While going up to Jerusalem, Jesus took the 12 disciples aside privately and said to them on the way: ‘Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death. Then they will hand Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and He will be resurrected on the third day.’” Matthew 20:17-19

For several summers, my wife and I traveled to Israel with a tour geared for college students. I am looking forward to our next trip! One of our goals is to assist Israeli Messianic congregations in sharing the truth about Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus).

Most of the time, the Israelis are receptive to conversations about Jesus. But they always bring up three eras in Western history as defenses against following Him: The Crusades, the Catholic Inquisition, and the Nazi Holocaust.

In all three instances, millions of Jews were persecuted and killed in the name of “Jesus.” Of course, Jesus would never have approved of such treatment. Jesus came to earth as a Jew, and He continues to love and redeem Jewish people, along with anyone else who would come to Him by grace, through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

One of the arguments that errant Christian leaders have given to justify Jewish persecution is that God cursed the Jews for having killed Jesus. That rationale is entirely false on two accounts:

1. God has not rejected the Jews (Romans 11:11)

2. The Jews did not execute Jesus.

Jesus addressed the 2nd false rationale in today’s passage. Yes, the Jews beat and condemned Jesus, but it was the Gentile Romans who ordered the near-death-inducing “cat of 9 tails” flogging and oversaw His crucifixion. Perhaps one of the reasons he allowed those particular circumstances to surround His crucifixion is that Jew & Gentile would be collectively guilty of His death. In today’s passage, Jesus tells His followers EXACTLY how His crucifixion will play out.

The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus rose on the 3rd day! As Jew & Gentile share the guilt of His death, we also share in the hope of His mercy & grace!!

Pray for our efforts in Israel as we continue to seek opportunities to share the truth of Messiah Jesus. Also, pray for the Shalom of Jerusalem and that restoration through Jesus would come to the Jewish people and all Nations.

“‘If you want to be perfect,’ Jesus said to him, ‘go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.’ When the young man heard that command, he went away grieving because he had many possessions.” Matthew 19:21-22

Growing up, I heard the gospel many times. I considered myself a follower of Jesus, but I was never really sold out. Matthew tells the story of a successful young man who considered himself a follower of the Messiah. He addressed Jesus as “Teacher,” and he traveled to the Judean desert just to ask Jesus one question: “What good thing must I do to have eternal life?” He was about to learn the difference between genuinely following Jesus and merely following Him around.

This young man’s question defined his personal theology. He truly believed eternal life could be achieved by human effort, but he was not overcome by the total depravity of his sin. He wasn’t a beggar looking for food. He was the exact opposite. He was confident in himself, and he believed he was capable of living a perfect life.

Jesus was gracious. He questioned the young man the way any other rabbi would question a potential disciple. The young man was impressive. He would have aced any Fortune 500 interview, hired on the spot. Then, Jesus threw him a curveball that rocked his success paradigm. “Sell all you have, give it to the poor, and then follow me.”

Can’t you just sense this man’s thoughts upon hearing Jesus’ instruction? “Sell my possessions? That’s not success! That’s the opposite of what all the other rabbis told me. You’re a good teacher, Jesus, but that’s too extreme.” I get a sense this young man was so gung-ho that if Jesus had told him to scale Mt. Everest in a Speedo, he would have done it! But Jesus went to the core of this man’s sin: His possessions.

Jesus never said that charity earns eternal life. He simply revealed the obstacle that hindered this particular young man from being a true follower. He laid out the truth and let the young man choose. Sadly, the young man walked away.

There is a difference between “hanging around” Jesus and genuinely following Him. Following Him means we have forsaken all others, turned from our sin, and committed to trusting His leading, wherever, whenever, and however He leads. It’s easy to proclaim that Jesus is Lord. It’s a whole other thing to obey Him as Lord.

“Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven.” Matthew 7:21

“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:9-10

“If your hand or your foot causes you downfall, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes your downfall, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, rather than to have two eyes and be thrown into hellfire!” Matthew 18:8-9

History tells of scores of people who overcome severe physical disability to reach inspiring heights, folks like quantum physicist Steven Hawking or artist Joni Earekson Tada. Many of these folks’ contributions to society have proven invaluable.

In the days of Jesus, the disabled were considered outcasts, possibly demon-possessed. The religious leaders of Jesus’ time were too concerned with their images to risk being identified with (or defiled by) the disabled. Interesting, it was the “disabled” who received healing from Jesus…both the physically and spiritually disabled!

Image has always influenced human culture. People are still preoccupied with projecting an image that is bigger than reality. Why are we so afraid to simply be ourselves? In a culture that preaches, “image is everything,” is it any wonder that so many people are afraid to admit they need a Savior? Some folks would rather go to Hell with a good reputation than confess their sin and receive salvation.

The problem with projecting a false image is that you’re living a lie. It promotes fear and fosters anxiety because we will never measure up to the image! Even if people buy into the image, it’s not because they love you for who you really are. They love your IMAGE. I believe the most prevalent form of idolatry in the world is our worship of the images we create of ourselves.

Jesus looks past the exterior and focuses on the inside. First, He chooses to love us despite our spiritual deformities. Then, He offers to trade His righteousness for our corrupt flesh. He sees past our images and accepts us, not just as we are, but also as we WILL BE, once He has completed what He begins in us. No wonder His atonement is also known as His “covering.” He completes what our images could never accomplish. He covers the reality of our shame.

You receive the covering of Jesus by first admitting your sin. That is, you acknowledge the fact that you are not perfect. (Perfection is God’s standard and impossible to attain by our own merit.) Next, you turn from your sin and turn to face Jesus. (Jesus and sin travel in opposite directions.) Then, receive His atonement for your sin, His free gift of life. Simply pray, “Lord, I believe Jesus is the only Way. I accept His free gift of atonement. Now help me with my unbelief!”

Why spend your time and resources building an IMAGE of perfection when Jesus offers the REAL thing…for free?

“When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the double-drachma tax approached Peter and said, ‘Doesn’t your Teacher pay the double-drachma tax?’  ‘Yes,’ He said.  When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, ‘What do you think, Simon?  Who do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes from?  From their sons, or from strangers?’  ‘From strangers,’ he said.  ‘Then the sons are free,” Jesus told him.  “But so we don’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and catch the first fish that comes up.  When you open its mouth, you’ll find a coin.  Take it and give it to them for Me and you.’” Matthew 17:24-27 (HCSB)

A “double-drachma” wasn’t a wrestling move.  It was a tax established in Exodus 30:11-16.  The tax’s original purpose was to atone for any mortal sin that an Israelite soldier might commit in battle.  The tax was utterly unnecessary because Israel didn’t have an army!  It was even more unnecessary that Messiah, the One who would Himself atone for ALL sin, should pay the tax.

King Herod had greatly expanded the temple complex.  Part of this expansion included the building of a marketplace.  It was Herod’s version of Walmart.  It is suggested that Herod re-imposed the double drachma tax to pressure the public to pay for his construction projects.

Jesus would not have sinned by ignoring the tax, yet He paid it.  The temple was the house of the Lord, and Jesus detested what it had become.  Herod’s expansions were designed to extort worshipers.  Now, Jesus, God’s Son, was asked to pay for unwanted additions to His Father’s house!  Jesus had plans to take a whip and clear Herod’s merchants from the temple complex, but that would be another day.

Jesus still had ministry to do around Galilee.  Paying the tax kept Him and His disciples on the good side of the religious Jews in the area.  He chose His battles wisely.  He was winning souls as well as saving them.  That’s a lesson for us all:  Keep the main “thing” the main thing.

By asking Jesus and Peter to pay the double drachma, the tax collectors prove they didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah.  They treated Him as a common stranger in God’s house instead of its inheritor.    

Finally, observe Jesus and Peter didn’t have money readily available.  Perhaps Jesus was showing Peter he would eventually be supported by a byproduct of evangelism: offerings.  Fish symbolize evangelism.  This community support system is observed in Acts 2, where early Messianic believers committed “all they owned” to the community of believers, laying their belongings at the apostles’ feet.  Even today, the Church is supported in this manner by the generous support of Kingdom-minded believers.

“‘An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.’ Then He left them and went away. The disciples reached the other shore, and they had forgotten to take bread. Then, Jesus told them, ‘Watch out and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” Matthew 16:4-6 (HCSB)

What is an adulterous generation? Spiritual adultery forsakes belief & faith for the latest sign or wonder. It is, at its core, idolatry and paganism.

Spiritual adultery may display itself as overtly as leaving the Church for another religion. It may also show itself in subtle signs such as “church hopping.” Unlike people seeking God to find the right church, chronic church hoppers think the worship experience is all about them. They crave excitement but don’t commit to serving beyond their comfort zone. When the church services become uncomfortable or unentertaining, they move on in search of a better experience.

People who are not mature in their faith (i.e., aren’t grounded in God’s Word) are less likely to be reliable members of a congregation. They are also more likely to be enticed by subtle heretical teaching.

Ask yourself: If your church were your spouse, would it say you were faithful?

This was the case with the Pharisees, who were secretly communicating with Jesus’s disciples. They were engaged in hushed conversations with the disciples, planting subversive thoughts. Jesus said, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees.” What was He talking about?

“Yeast” describes heretical teaching that entices the flesh. Because it is subtle, yeast spreads undetected until it grows too big to control. In the Bible, yeast is synonymous with sin because it spreads quietly until it’s almost too late. Yeast is more dangerous than blatant heresy. At least blatant heresy is easily spotted.

Yeast theology works hand-in-glove with an adulterous generation. When people reject sound doctrine, they end up attending a church that doesn’t challenge them with the truth of Scripture. When a pulpit is compromised, Bible teaching is replaced with “Bible-themed” messages. Rote volunteerism replaces discipleship & kingdom-building.

Sadly, years can go by before a person recognizes the emptiness of this type of theology. Many people spiritually starve to death. Others just bounce from benign congregation to benign congregation. They grow increasingly bitter about anything that convicts of sin, and they get bored unless the congregation’s “production” is entertaining.

Here’s a good rule: look for a congregation that considers the Bible to be the source of sound doctrine instead of just another resource for positive living.