For Your Profit

Proverbs 3:5,6

Marcus Lemonis, also known as 'The Profit' to cable viewers, hosts a television show with the intent to help failing/struggling businesses. He appears to be a very successful businessman ready to invest his resources. It appears that these businesses approach him because his reputation testifies of his ability to settle and strengthen. For his resources and abilities he requires a percentage of ownership in the business and FULL CONTROL of operations.

He explains the parameters to the current owners and they agree or he excuses himself from the process. Those who follow his advice seem to be very glad in the end. His resources and abilities stream-line the operation and bring growth. There are those who approach him for assistance but are unwilling to agree to his requirements. They want help but their current state of mind causes them to think that he wants too much in return.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, (trusting, as Jesus did, that God would raise Him from the dead {Romans 10:9}) and LEAN NOT on your own understanding; in all YOUR WAYS acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths (or make them straight)."

Mr. Lemonis makes a requirement for his investment and abilities. God, as He instructs in the proverb, desires that we trust in Him with all our heart, understanding what is the hope of Jesus Christ's calling. The mechanism for this victory is sending no roots down as you lean, ready to acknowledge Him as He speaks.

"Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."(Hebrews 12:11) Those who follow Mr. Lemonis' chastening receive a healthier business. Those who receive the chastening of the Lord receive the reward that is in His hand - eternal life; exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power that works within!

Jesus Had What He Said

Mark 11:11-23

"And Jesus went into Jerusalem, and into the temple. So when He looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve. Now the next days, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, 'Let no one eat fruit from you ever again'. And His disciples heard it."

John 5:19,20 reads, "Then Jesus answered and said to them, 'Most assuredly I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and SHOWS Him all things that He Himself does.....' "

John 12:49,50 reads, "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command IS everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."

Therefore, we must conclude that the Father told Jesus to end the existence of that fig tree. 

"Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, 'Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.' "  Jesus had what He said; and immediately began to teach them how to have the same by removing that which stands in the way: "this mountain".

"This mountain" would stand between us and becoming one with the Father and the Son who are One (John 17:21); between us and becoming the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. "This mountain" is the unwillingness to turn to God as Jesus Christ, the Living Word, is being revealed to us.

"For assuredly, (Jesus Christ) says to you, whoever says to THIS MOUNTAIN, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea', and does not doubt in his heart but believes that those things that he is saying will be done, HE WILL HAVE WHATEVER HE SAYS." He will understand clearly and act upon only those things the Father (in the name of the Son, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit) is showing him!

We Have The Petitions That We Ask .....Of Him

1 John 5:14,15

"Now this is the confidence that we have IN HIM, that if we ask anything ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked OF HIM."

In 2006, as I was leaving the office for the day, the Lord spoke to my spirit by the Holy Spirit: "Ask of Me, of Myself I will give to you!" It was loud inside me and I remember it exactly. God, by His Holy Spirit, reminds me of this regularly. God's will for man is a new creation of their spirit; the empowerment of man by the Holy Spirit that we may be witnesses to Him - becoming the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Every one the same yet different callings within it.

An example would be a son/daughter asking a father/mother to explain and teach to them the very best attributes of their heritage so that they themselves could do likewise. Natural man always has shortcomings. Jesus was tempted in every way yet without sin! I expect a heart-felt request like that would elicit a heart-felt response from the parent. How much more from God the Father regarding his Son so that "we may know what is the hope of His calling"?

When James and John, the sons of Zebedee, asked Jesus to appoint them seats to His right and left IN HIS GLORY, Jesus replied to them, since they asked: "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with (meaning death on the cross)? Jesus said that was not His to give them. If we ask of the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, so that we may be one with them by the Holy Spirit, we cannot ask amiss. Of Himself He gives!

These Children of John's Gospel Knew About All Things

 1 John 2:18-21, 24-27; 1 Corinthians 8:2 

"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would have CONTINUED WITH US, but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us."  (Us: John, Paul, Peter etc...)

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One (Jesus Christ) and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth." These had an understanding from/of the Holy One which empowered them to continue with what John, Paul, Peter...etc. were teaching and doing.

"Therefore, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us - eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him."

Paul admonished the Corinthian church: "if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know."  Paul could be saying that unless one knows "all things", the things that they think they know will be as good as nothing; that what we think we know could cause us to be puffed up (the leaven of the Pharisee) making no room for the anointing of the Holy One; that knowing "all things" from the Holy One, who is love, will edify (build up) us and others for eternal life. 

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not, with Him, freely give us ALL THINGS?" (Romans 8:32)

Our Master, who sits at the right hand of God, will reveal this to you by the Holy Spirit, making what is written alive and eternal!

Irreconcilable

 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 10-12; Corinthians 5:12-21, 6:1

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come (times of stress); for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving (irreconcilable), slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a FORM OF GODLINESS but denying its power

(denying the power of godliness). And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, SO DO THESE ALSO RESIST THE TRUTH, men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs (Jannes/Jambres) also was."

irreconcilable - incapable (unwilling) of being brought into harmony or adjustment; implacably opposed (Webster's)

"For we do not commend ourselves again to you but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God, or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, THAT THOSE WHO LIVE SHOULD LIVE NO LONGER FOR THEMSELVES, BUT FOR HIM WHO DIED FOR THEM AND ROSE AGAIN. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, AND HAS GIVEN US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, AND HAS COMMITTED TO US THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you (the Corinthian church) on Christ's behalf, BE RECONCILED TO GOD!  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain......."

"But you (Timothy) have carefully followed my (Paul's) doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra - what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.....

reconcile - to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent; to restore to communion in a (the) church (Webster's)

Paul taught the Corinthian church that they must allow themselves to be brought into agreement; they must allow themselves to be made compatible and consistent on Christ's behalf so they may be ambassadors for Him as Paul had become; to be brought into communion with Jesus Christ. We are charged the same way!

"This is The True Grace of God"

1 Peter 5:1-12

"The elders who are among you I exhort. I who am a fellow elder and A WITNESS OF THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST, AND ALSO A PARTAKER OF THE GLORY THAT WILL BE REVEALED; Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; not as being lords those entrusted to you, but BEING EXAMPLES to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise you younger people, submit yourself to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed by humility for....'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble'."

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the GOD OF ALL GRACE, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, PERFECT, ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN and SETTLE you." 

"By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that THIS IS THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD IN WHICH YOU STAND. She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. Greet one another with a holy kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen."

God cares for you the way a devoted gardener cares for their growings: He removes the deadness of your works so that the works of faith in Jesus Christ, with pruning, may develop, testifying of Him! I am convinced that the "elder(s)" in this passage understand this true grace of God and are willing to persevere with Him in it. Their example assists the younger ones to persevere in the "TRUE GRACE OF GOD". 

The Gospel According to Mark, Chapter 11:20-26

"Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, 'Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away'. So Jesus answered and said to them, 'Have faith in God, for assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "Be removed and be cast into the sea", and does not doubt in his heart but believes that those things that he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

We should remember that Jesus said, "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me."(John 5:30) We should remember that whatever Jesus said came to pass!

Now, an amplification of what Jesus said to Peter and those who were (are) inclining themselves to follow Him for discipleship:

"You will need to hold fast to this revelation from God. For assuredly Jesus Christ says (to all those who are inclining themselves to follow Him for discipleship) whoever says to the this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea', and does not doubt in his heart, but believes, recognizing and receiving the grace of God which makes him strong to stand in this matter so the removal of this mountain will be complete, he will have whatever he says because he will clearly understand and act upon only those things that the Father, in the name of the Son, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit are inspiring him to say and do. Therefore, Jesus Christ says to you, no matter what you think to ask for when you are praying, pray this that you have received from Me and you will have it."

It seems clear to me that Jesus' is teaching here the process by which "this mountain" will be removed so that His Way can be made straight.  "This mountain" impedes us from receiving Him as He comes (Mark 11:18), from submitting to and persevering with Him! (John 6:53-67) 

Life in God's Son Delivers Us From Idolatry

1 John 5:11-13, 18-21

"And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life(or, the life); he who does not have the Son of God does not have life (or, the life). These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God."

"We know that whoever is born (made again, being made) of God does not sin; but he who has been born (made again, being made) of God keeps himself (or, this guards him), and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding (so) that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourself (guarded in His making) from idols. Amen."

Idolatry could be defined as the action given to a desire for something, even apparently a good thing or a "God thing" in the perception of the idolater, that supercedes the true and eternal life in Jesus Christ toward God. We recognize this when Jesus' gospel and the New Testament teachings are discussed; and our response to those.

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding (knowing what is the hope of His calling) (so) that we may know Him who is true..."  What understanding? There has to be a transfer of what man thinks about, which often sways him to destinations apart from God, to that which guards him and keeps him, untouched by the wicked one.  

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also (continuing to believe) count(ing) all things loss (here is the transfer) for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things (things that lead to unfruitful destinations) and COUNT THEM AS RUBBISH, that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him....(Paul speaking in Philippians 3:7-9)

Where I Am Going You Cannot Follow Me...Now

John 13:36-38

"Simon Peter said to Him, 'Lord, where are You going?' (Jesus had informed them that He was about to be glorified, and the Father glorified in Him; v.31) Jesus answered him, 'Where I am going you CANNOT follow Me NOW, but you shall follow Me AFTERWARD.'  Peter said to Him, 'Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.' Jesus answered Him, 'Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have DENIED Me three times.' "

We know that Jesus was about to be glorified through the cross. We know that Jesus "learned obedience by the things which He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). He was made ready to go to the cross for the sake of mankind. Just as 'His wife has made (is making) herself ready' (Revelation 19:7,8), so was Peter 'being made ready' (as well as the majority of the original twelve disciples). Peter needed to hear that his own soul would keep him from following Jesus to the cross "to lay his (Peter's) life down for Jesus' sake". Later, Peter, in repentance, was forgiven and told: 'if you love Me, feed/tend My lambs/sheep', and Peter was well able, his own apparent strength brought low, to persevere. He was made ready to follow Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father!

Now Jesus Loved Martha and Her Sister and Lazarus

(John 11:1-7)

"Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. When Jesus heard that, He said, 'This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it'. 

"NOW JESUS LOVED MARTHA AND HER SISTER AND LAZARUS. So (because He loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus), when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was."

Why did Jesus not immediately make His was back to Bethany to heal Lazarus whom He ultimately raised from the dead? He wanted those He loved to understand that He had whatever He said because He was one with the Father! Interestingly, the centurion approached Jesus to heal his servant and said "only say the word, and my servant shall be healed". Jesus informed the centurion that He had not seen such faith, not even in Israel. In this portion of scripture, we see Jesus teaching those He loved, in a time of high concern and emotion, this very principle: whatever I (Jesus) say comes to pass! Those He loved knew He was able to perform miraculous signs and would have appreciated immediate action! What Jesus told them came to fruition - they needed to know that more than any perception they might have!

"Whom the Lord LOVES He chastens (disciplines), and scourges every son whom He receives." (Hebrews 12:6) 

"As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten (bring discipline). Therefore, be zealous and repent." Be eager and enthusiatic in your turning to Him as you are corrected/directed. They were/we are disciplined in trusting His living words to us even as He bears long with us!    

The Us/You in Him (Ephesians 1:1-14)

Ephesians 1:1-14

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed US with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose US in HIM before the foundation of the world, that WE should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined US to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace by which He MADE US accepted in the Beloved. In Him WE have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward US in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to US the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one (John 17:20-26) all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth - in HIM. In Him, also, WE have obtained an inheritence, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, THAT WE WHO FIRST TRUSTED IN CHRIST should be to the praise of His glory. In Him, YOU ALSO trusted, after YOU heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in WHOM also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee (which is the down payment, earnest) of OUR inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory."

What would you say the difference is between Paul/us (those with like faith) and the Ephesian faithful: the you's in this writing?  Both the us's and you's have been born again and sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise: the "tools" to walk as His purchased possession. Both have been empowered by God's earnest for the inheritance Paul describes. The us's understand what Jesus calling was and are willing to persevere with Him in it. The you's are just about to find out what is required (Ephesians 1:15-23). If they are willing to accept the substance and evidence of Paul's testimony, the realization and confidence to trust the Father in what Jesus calling was, they will receive the end of their faith in Him: the salvation of their souls. 

The Son Can Do Nothing of Himself (John 5: 19, 20)

John 5:19, 20

"Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He SEES the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, AND SHOWS HIM all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel." Jesus Himself seems to say that He, even He, in Himself was unprofitable: what He had He had been given by His Father. 

"For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (Romans 8:18,19) 

What sufferings? "Whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea, and DOES NOT DOUBT IN HIS HEART, BUT BELIEVES' (so that the removal of this mountain will be complete)...... 'He will have whatever he says'. The action of this understanding makes room in our hearts for Him. We must decrease so that He may increase! The suffering of this process removes the carnality of man's heart, replaced by Jesus Christ (the Living Word) in His fullness by the Holy Spirit. With the impediment of the mountain being removed, we more clearly SEE what the Father, in the name of the Son, by the Holy Spirit are doing. With the impediment removed, on purpose, by our understanding of this process and willingness to persevere with Him in it, the Father SHOWS us what They are doing. With the impediment removed, we will clearly understand, and act only upon, like our Master (through, with and in Him), those things They are doing.     

The Things That Make for Our Peace. Luke 19:41-44

Luke 19:41-44  

"Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying 'If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!  But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you, and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, BECAUSE YOU DID NOT KNOW THE TIME OF YOUR VISITATION.' "

"Then He looked at them (to whom He was referring with the parable of the wicked vinedressers) and said, 'What then is this that is written: "The stone which the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone?" Whoever falls on that stone will be broken (as a wild horse would be), but on whomever it falls, it will ground him to powder (destroyed)." (Luke 20:17,18)

"Then the whole multitude of them (the chief priests, scribes and those willing to follow) arose and led Him to Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, 'We found this fellow perverting the (our) nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King'. Then Pilate asked Him, saying, 'Are You the King of the Jews?' He answered him and said, 'It is as you say.' So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, 'I find no fault in this Man.' "  But they were the more fierce......(against Him) (Luke 23:1-5)

When Pilate heard that Jesus' ministry had been in Galilee, under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod. Herod, as Pilate ruled, found no fault in Jesus. Pilate, speaking for both, said, "indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him". "That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other." (Luke 23:12)

The Prince of Peace had ministered to men who ruled over the chief priests and the crowd. Even in their unrighteousness they came to reconciliation and understood the situation accurately. They received understanding in their VISITATION with Jesus and from Him THE THINGS THAT MADE FOR PEACE.

The Servants Have Bread Enough And To Spare

Luke 15:11-32

Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. "And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to THEM his livelihood. "And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. "But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.

"And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, AND NO ONE GAVE HIM ANYTHING."

"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants HAVE BREAD ENOUGH AND TO SPARE, and I perish with hunger!"

"Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. "So he called one of the servants (who had Bread enough and to spare) and asked what these things meant."

"So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends."

"And he (the father) said to him, 'Son, you are always with ME, and all that I HAVE is yours."

The livelihood of the father, at that time, was divided between both sons. The younger son wasted it and the older apparently did not. When the younger son returned, repented for his covetousness and was received by his father, the older became bitterly envious. The younger son, having suffered hardship as a result of his decision to separate from the father, came back for the BREAD THE SERVANTS HAD and received much more. The older son, continuing in the vicinity of the father, was yet unaware of the BREAD sought for by the younger. He had to ask A SERVANT.
 
All the father HAD was available to both sons. It dawned upon the younger son that the LIVING BREAD was most important! 

The Israel of God

Galatians 6:12-16; Romans 9:1-8

"As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised (physically) keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But God forbid that I (Paul) should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the ISRAEL OF GOD."

"I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh (the Hebrews), who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. FOR THEY ARE NOT ALL ISRAEL WHO ARE OF ISRAEL, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, 'In Isaac your seed shall be called'. That is, those who are children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed."

Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, was given a new name by God: Israel; because he would not let go of God. He persisted toward Him and overcame by Him. 'They are not all Israel who are of Israel' explains that not only the descendants of Jacob are Israel (or named so), but each one who receives, believes and trusts in God through faith in Jesus Christ. Their deeds "boast" in His cross and resurrection!

.....Having Been Perfected, He Became......(Hebrews 5:5, 7-11)

"So also, Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten you.' Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, for He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. AND HAVING BEEN PERFECTED, HE BECAME the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him."

It sounds as if Jesus had to be fully persuaded (understanding and willing), ready for what His calling was prior to moving forward as Teacher and ultimately the Lamb of God. Scripture reads that He was PERFECTED, made mature and complete, empowered by what He learned in/through the things which He suffered. I would say this suffering was before the cross, experiencing the wickedness of men in the face of the righteousness of God. For the saint of God in Christ Jesus, suffering with Him (Romans 8:16-18) results in glorification together (with Him is implied), as Paul had written. 

In the epistle to the Philippians, third chapter, Paul writes that he is willing to count "all things loss FOR the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith IN Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith".(v.7-9)

Paul writes that he has not "already attained nor is already perfected" but presses on. This could refer to v.10,11 where he summarizes what faith in Christ looks like: that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead".  

Jesus fulfilled His calling to High Priesthood over salvation to God through His understanding of what His calling was and willingness to persevere with the Father in it, by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. To be perfect and complete in this, the believer must "arm themselves with the same mind" (1 Peter 4:1) as He reveals Himself to us.

To Fulfill The Word of God

Colossians 1:19-29

"For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on the earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled, in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless, and above reproach in His sight - if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister."

"I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister ACCORDING TO THE STEWARDSHIP FROM GOD WHICH WAS GIVEN TO ME FOR YOU, TO FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD. The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations but not has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and reaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I ALSO LABOR, STRIVING ACCORDING TO HIS WORKING which works in me mightily."

The stewardship that was given to Paul for the church happens to be the stewardship God has given to all His saints (those who repent/turn to God at every revealing of Jesus Christ to them; those who understand what His calling was and are willing to persevere with Him in it!): to FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD which is attempting to work mightily in them. Paul tells the Colossian church that he still labors according to that which is working in him.

Paul teaches that we should "pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).  

"Teacher, We Want You To Do For Us WHATEVER We Ask"

Mark 10:35-45

"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, 'Teacher, we want you to do whatever we ask.' And He said to them, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' They said to Him. 'Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.' But Jesus said to them, 'You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?' " 

"They said to Him, 'We are able.' So Jesus said to them, 'You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.' "

"And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, 'You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many."

The disciples' request seemed reasonable, if not holy. Jesus said(through John in Revelation 3:21): "To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." 

They were, at that point, more interested in the end of their faith rather than the works to arrive there. Jesus corrects them/us. Then James writes (4:1-3): "Where do battles and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war, yet you do not have because you do not ask. YOU ASK and you do not receive because you ask amiss"............in this context to lord over instead of serve.

Jesus assures those who will speak to "this mountain", doubt not in the heart but believe by His grace that causes those to be strong in standing, so that the removal of "this mountain" shall become complete in them, then they will have WHATEVER THEY SAY, to the glory of God! (Mark 11:22-24)

Make Straight Paths For Your Feet

Proverbs 3:5,6; Hebrews 12:12-17

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct (MAKE STRAIGHT) your paths."

"Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and MAKE STRAIGHT PATHS FOR YOUR FEET, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord; looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane(godless) person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing (of his birthright), he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears."

We make straight the paths of our feet by seeking Him to find Him; knocking on His door so that He may open up to us; asking of Him to receive Him. These actions result in the Father, in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ (whose name is "The Word of God") by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, revealing Himself to those who approach this way. As we do so the path becomes clearer and produces His healing for our lameness. Peace and the holiness continue to be formed on the straight path to/through the narrow gate, producing fruit for others to see what God is doing in the lives that we live through/with/in Him. So fulfilling the path becomes, because of who He is to us, that we are much less likely to deviate from it.

You don't make straight paths for your feet by your design. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith!

Silver and Gold is NOT What I Have for You

Acts 3:1-8, 16

"Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to beg alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, 'Look at us.' So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.' And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones RECEIVED STRENGTH. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them- walking, leaping, and praising God."

"And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith that comes through Him has given him (the previously lame man) this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."

It is probable, more so than possible, for us to expect something based upon previous encounters/experiences. The encounter between the man laid at the gate of the temple and Peter/John almost certainly wasn't their first- as he was laid there daily and the disciples came there regularly. The STRENGTH RECEIVED came as a result of revelation to Peter/John followed by action according to the revelation. On behalf of the man at the gate, previously lame, he "gave them his attention".

We Live by this Substance and Evidence

Hebrews 10:35-39; 11:1

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence (your evidence), which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 'For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry (delay). Now, the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him'. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition (destruction), but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Now faith is the substance and evidence by which we believe to the saving of the soul! Faith is the realization and confidence that the Holy Spirit brings to us (by the direction of Jesus Christ) by which we are awakened, stand, persevere and become victors through/in Christ Jesus! Like a blueprint reveals to a contractor how to build a structure, faith in Jesus Christ will produce a place for "He who is coming" to dwell.

"And shall not God avenge His own elect, who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?  I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes (returns), will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:7,8)  

Will the Son of Man find this substance and evidence on the earth? Or, how much of it will He find? Will He find us devoted to this confidence? His reward is in His hand!

     

Concerning Spiritual Gifts, Endeavor to be Recognizable

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I don't want you to be ignorant...."                        (1 Corinthians 12:1)                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

"The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all...."(12:7)

"Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel...."(14:12)

"Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified" (built up by recognizable manifestation of the Holy Spirit). (14:16,17)

"I (Paul) thank my God that I speak in tongues more than you all; yet in the church (implying that he speaks in tongues for personal edification outside the church) I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue...."(14:18,19) 

"Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. Therefore, if the whole church comes together in one place and all speak with tongues (rendering the clear, piercing manifestation of God through the spiritual gifts UNRECOGNIZABLE), and there come in uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are 'out of your mind'?" (14:22,23)

"How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification (the building up of all gathering, believer or uninformed)" (14:26)

"If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant."(14:38) In the margin of the bible I use(NKJV), the last sentence is described this way: 'If anyone does not recognize this(as the commandment of the Lord), let him be UNRECOGNIZED'. Paul is showing us how to resist that which could serve to make us look spiritual, albeit disorderly, so that all engaged may RECOGNIZE God by his Spirit!

"Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order."(14:39,40) 

"No...But I did Stay at a Holiday Inn Last Night"

Many remember this commercial for Holiday Inn. The setting begins with some sort of dilemma, followed by an individual entering the picture to stabilize the situation. 

I remember the spot where a bicyclist had fallen and was injured. A man enters the scene and begins to treat the cyclist's injury, prompting the the cyclist to ask, "Are you a doctor?". The man assured the cyclist, "No.....but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night." A witty commercial yet PRACTICALLY IRRESPONSIBLE FOR REAL INJURIES.

Do you speak with tongues of men AND OF ANGELS as Paul did? (1 Corinthians 13:1)

Are you one of the "all" Paul wishes "spoke with tongues"? (of angels; for we all speak with tongues of men) (1 Corinthians 14:5). Do you think Paul is wishing something for you that shouldn't happen?

"Therefore brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues (of angels).  (Corinthians 14:39)

It should be difficult for the believer to read these words (1 Corinthians, chapters 12-14) and it not stimulate a question regarding the "tongues of angels". When one asks, "Have you spoken in the tongues Paul preaches?  If their response is "No.....But", you should understand that they are not in a position to help you with the subject, ALTHOUGH THEY WILL INEVITABLY TRY!

The knowledge to assist in the Holiday Inn commercial WAS NOT ACTUAL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. Assistance with regard to the "tongues of angels" comes directly from those who have ACTUALLY experienced this blessing from God, in the name of Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit. 

They Followed and Became Examples to All

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

"Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ:  Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you BECAME FOLLOWERS OF US AND OF THE LORD, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you BECAME EXAMPLES to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."

 "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest(plain) evidence of the righteous judgement of God, that you be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which you also suffer;....."  (2 Thessalonians 1:3-5)

Paul informed the Philippian church that he was counting the pillars or idols in his life "loss" or "rubbish" for "the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord.........so that he may gain Christ"......"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead". (Philippians 3:8-11)

The church of the Thessalonians were in active agreement with Paul, Silvanus and Timothy and their faith in Jesus Christ!

If We Have Forgotten, We Should Do Well In The Remembrance!

"For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have FORGOTTEN the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

'My son, do not despise the chastening (discipline) of the Lord; nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges EVERY son whom He receives' (Hebrews 12:3-6)

People sympathetic/devoted to salvation to God through faith in Jesus Christ will honor, in one way or another, this blessed event: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The New Testament was not in force until Jesus Christ died ('for a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives')  (Hebrews 9:17).

Let us consider how we choose to honor God, in the name of the Son, who sits at His right hand. Our way should endeavor to "know what is the hope of His (Jesus') calling"! (Ephesians 1:18)

Are You In Bethany, Or Jerusalem?

Mark 11:1-19; Matthew 23:37-39

"Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and BETHANY, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, 'Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. And if anyone says to you, "Why are you doing this?" say, 'The Lord has need of it', and immediately he will send it here." So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. But some of those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, loosing the colt?" And THEY SPOKE TO THEM JUST AS JESUS HAD COMMANDED. So they let them go. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

'Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes! Hosanna in the highest!' 

And Jesus went into JERUSALEM, and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to BETHANY with the twelve. Now the next day, when they had come out of BETHANY, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, 'Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.' And His disciples heard it. So they came to JERUSALEM........"; where He attempted to right what was wrong in the temple. The scribes and the chief priests, overseers of the temple activities "sought how they might destroy Him". After that, He went out of the city. He went back to Bethany (I feel as if I could say).

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' "(Matthew 23:37-39)

Bethany was a place of refuge for Jesus. He spoke; His disciples spoke (what He had commanded); and the people there received His words. Jerusalem was no refuge for Him. They would not receive His words.

He is Head over ALL THINGS To The Church

Ephesians 1:20-23, 3:14-19, 2 Corinthians 4:15-17, Romans 8:28

......."He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only this age but also in that which is to come. And He put ALL THINGS under His feet, and gave Him to be head over ALL THINGS to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all (that are in His body) in ALL (things)."

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth has been named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." 

"For ALL THINGS are for your sakes, that grace having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, IS WORKING for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory......."

"And we know that ALL THINGS work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

Jesus Christ is Head over ALL THINGS to the church. He is One with the Father. He is Faithful and True. His purpose: that those who have/are following Him realize with confidence what His calling is! Content to persevere in it for a good testimony before Himself and the Father, and mankind!

Escaping the Leaven of this Pharisee

 

I Corinthians 5:6-8

It is possible for even us (the church) to have the religion of Caiaphas: the high priest most prominent in putting Jesus Christ to death; but let your faith be that which comes forth from Me and you will escape the leaven of this Pharisee.

"Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore, purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump. since you truly are unleavened. For indeed, Christ our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

Leaven could be better understood as the soulish equivalent of yeast: that which causes our bread to APPEAR larger and BE puffier yet less dense. The leaven of the Pharisee could be the unwillingness (in fact, the REFUSAL) to receive Jesus Christ when He came and as He comes! Caiaphas was High Priest of Israel. When Jesus Christ (The Living Word of God) came, Caiaphas glorified himself above Jesus Christ, responding to Him with malice and wickedness.

The ministry of Jesus Christ, Head of all things to the church, now comes by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit making what is written(logos) alive (rhema). We must not glorify ourselves in what we think we know but be willing to receive Him as He comes, as He is able to subdue all things to Himself!

"Let No One Eat Fruit From You Ever Again"

 

Mark 11:11-14; 20,21

"And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had LOOKED AROUND AT ALL THINGS, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve. Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, 'Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.' And His disciples heard it."
(Read what Jesus did when He came to the temple after having seen what was ABSENT from the "house of prayer" in v.15-19.)

"Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, 'Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed HAS WITHERED AWAY'."

The fig tree is somehow a depiction of Israel. I'm sure a Jewish historian could explain the significance. It appears Jesus uses the fig tree, the fruitlessness of that particular tree at that time of year, as an example of Israel's spiritual state. It could be that the fig tree represents the way for spiritual growth of that people under the five books of the Law, of which Paul writes, "the curse of the Law is that it was weak through the flesh".

Weak, it was, relative to the new and living way!

Jesus said, "I am the true vine (not the fig tree), and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit". "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you BEAR MUCH FRUIT, so you will BE MY DISCIPLES."(John 15:1,2; 7,8)

The fig tree is not mentioned in this context from that point forward. The True Vine had come for fruitfulness!

"By What Authority Are You"...attempting to redeem us from our fruitlessness?

Mark 11:27-33, 12:1-9

"Then they (Jesus and those following Him) came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. And they said to Him, 'By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?' But Jesus answered and said to them, 'I also will ask you one question; then answer Me , and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: the baptism of John - was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.'

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' "But if we say, 'From men' "- they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed.

So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know". And Jesus answered and said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.' "

It appears these chief priests, scribes and elders were UNWILLING to respond honestly to His question; yet REFUSING TO RECEIVE the Savior of Israel. Jesus responds, "Neither will I tell you..........". We must seek Him to find Him!

Then He began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country. Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, THAT HE MIGHT RECEIVE SOME OF THE FRUIT OF VINEYARD FROM THE VINEDRESSERS. And they took him and beat him and sent him away EMPTY-HANDED. Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounding him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, 'They will respect my son.' But those vinedressers SAID AMONG THEMSELVES (initiated within themselves), 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be our's.'

So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers and give the vineyard to others. Have you not even read this scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?" And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He has spoken the parable against them. So THEY LEFT HIM (instead of embracing Him) and went away."

"If any of you lack wisdom (Do I/you know that we lack in His wisdom?), let him ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts (after having asked and received from Him) is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:5-8)

The ministers of that day were not asking Him so that could receive Him; they were asking of Him to contend with Him so they may retain their place of authority; unwittingly one step closer to destruction.

A Place Where Theft Hinders Blessing

 Mark 11:11-19

"And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, 'Let no one eat fruit from you ever again'. And His disciples heard it. So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to DRIVE OUT THOSE WHO BOUGHT AND SOLD IN THE TEMPLE and OVERTURNED THE TABLES OF THE MONEYCHANGERS and the SEATS OF THOSE WHO SOLD DOVES. And He WOULD NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO CARRY WARES THROUGH THE TEMPLE. Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But YOU HAVE MADE IT  'a den of thieves.' " And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. When evening had come, He went out of the city."

Were buying/selling, money-changing, dove-selling and carrying of wares illegal in Jerusalem? If so, the Roman overseers had full authority to curtail that activity. Assuredly, those activities are a part of day to day living- not righteous, necessarily, neither illegal.

The temple was to be a place of refuge toward God. Prayer really is our approach to Him, FOR HIM! The Jewish people had to learn that somewhere - nowhere better then than the temple (for the born-again believer, our meeting-places where people come of free will to find Him). The scribes/chief priests approach toward God had waned as evidenced by their unwillingness to receive Jesus Christ as He came to them with correction. Their response: destroy Him. The opportunity for Jewish people to come to the temple to find "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" had been hindered. The hindrances were under the watchful eye of that "den of thieves".