“Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?’”
Mark 11:17a (NIV)
Everything has a lifecycle including the gathering of God’s people. Given what I do as a pastor, I see the death of such gatherings. A few years ago, I represented the organization I serve at the retirement of a pastor. The building in which God’s people had gathered was 100 years old. On the day of the celebration that small building in a very rural part of the Oklahoma Panhandle was filled to overflowing with people, even people from other countries that had been touched by the people of this place. The legacy left behind was not of a building but of lives changed by the power of Jesus. On the other hand, I have also seen deaths where the legacy was the building and not transformed lives. I suspect that it pains God’s heart when his leaders and people make it about money, political influence, and a building instead of the renewing of broken lives.
So it would seem, with this week’s question. It seems like Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem may have left Him feeling a bit frustrated and grumpy. Jesus had entered the city like a rock star with people cheering and praising God. Once in the city He goes to the Temple, has a look around and leaves. He and the guys go back to Bethany for the night (see Mark 11:1-11). The next morning on their way back to the city, Jesus curses a fig tree for not having fruit when it wasn’t time for there to be fruit – surely Jesus knew there wouldn’t be any, right? Anyway not a great start to the day for sure. When He arrives back at the temple Jesus get right down to it driving out the money changers and those selling animals for sacrifices, overturning tables and benches and making it clear that the temple court was not a shopping center or currency exchange center. Then he asked the question “Is it not written…” Jesus was referring to something found in Isaiah where it is written: “I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. For the Sovereign LORD, who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: I will bring others, too besides my people Israel (Isaiah 56:7-8).
Different commentators say different things about this “cleansing “of the temple. But there seems to be some agreement that the money changers and sellers were taking advantage of those who had come to make sacrifices and worship at the temple. There also seems to be agreement that the money gained wasn’t being used to feed the poor or encourage life change, rather it was being used to support political rebels – the kind that wanted to overthrow the Romans. In either case – they were not supporting the mission of God and His temple.
So what about us – what does this incident at the temple before Jesus’ death and resurrection teach us. I think it cautions us about making the gatherings of God’s people too commercial. Now hear me – I don’t think it is wrong for a church to operate a bookstore or café if the proceeds go to expanding the kingdom through life change and more gatherings of God’s people. But if it is done to fill a bank account or allow a leader to have a luxury lifestyle – we’ve lost the plot. As for us individuals who make up the body of Christ we need to watch out that we don’t make the gathering of God’s people about our preferences, our preferred traditions, or who we allow into the fellowship. Let us make sure that our gatherings are places of prayer for all the nations. That will do a few things; extend the life of our gatherings, result in life transformation and expand the Kingdom in the here and now, as we wait for its fullness to arrive.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – contribute to the life of the gathering you attend, by praying, inviting and welcoming others to know Jesus.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Sometimes I Wish...
“Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
Mark 10:38 (NIV)
Sometimes I wish I was there in those moments when Jesus was interacting with His crew, so I could see the expression on His face. This week’s question happens in the midst of one of those scenes. I am convinced of two things about Jesus, first, He must have had a great sense of humor and second, He had divinely powered patience with these guys.
Let me set the scene. We had just watched the rich young man situation play out at the end of which Jesus assures the guys that their sacrifices would give them the greatest rewards, especially eternal life. Now they are back on the road, and Jesus had just made it clear where they were going and what would happen when they got there. That’s when Zebedee’s sons James and John decide they want to walk next to Jesus so they can ask a favor of him. James and John start by saying, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask” (Mark 10:35). I can almost see an expression on Jesus’ face that says “well this ought to be good” as He responds with something akin to what do you want? James and John say, “we want to sit at your left and right when you are on the throne” (My paraphrase of Mark 10:36-37). I imagine Jesus now has a look on His face that says, “are you kidding me!” Jesus responds to their request, first with you have no idea what you have just asked for and asks this week’s question – “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with” (Mark 10:30). Remember just a short while before Jesus had described what was going to happen when they got to Jerusalem. James and John are like yes of course we can! Then Jesus’ gives one of the best responses ever. He tells James and John, “yep you are going to drink the same cup and experience the same baptism BUT, who gets to sit next to me isn’t up to me, those places have been prepared by some else for someone else” (Mark 10:38-40). By this time, the other ten had got wind of the conversation that was happening and it would seem they were giving James and John a bit of a what for. Jesus gathers them around and gives them all a little lesson on what greatness in the kingdom looks like – humble, service not power and authority.
James would the first of the twelve to lose his life for the cause of Christ when he loses his head (Acts 12:2). John on the other hand would miraculously survive being boiled in oil, live to an old age and die of natural causes. They drank the cup each in their own way.
Jesus always surrenders to the plan and will of His Father. He was about serving the people, especially those who were not welcome in the “religious” circles of His day. He teaches us that true greatness and power don’t come from wealth and unchecked authority, rather it comes from humble obedience and service. The Holy Spirit is present to help us live against the current of worldly greatness for something better.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – humble obedience and service will allow you to be more influential than money and authority will.
Mark 10:38 (NIV)
Sometimes I wish I was there in those moments when Jesus was interacting with His crew, so I could see the expression on His face. This week’s question happens in the midst of one of those scenes. I am convinced of two things about Jesus, first, He must have had a great sense of humor and second, He had divinely powered patience with these guys.
Let me set the scene. We had just watched the rich young man situation play out at the end of which Jesus assures the guys that their sacrifices would give them the greatest rewards, especially eternal life. Now they are back on the road, and Jesus had just made it clear where they were going and what would happen when they got there. That’s when Zebedee’s sons James and John decide they want to walk next to Jesus so they can ask a favor of him. James and John start by saying, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask” (Mark 10:35). I can almost see an expression on Jesus’ face that says “well this ought to be good” as He responds with something akin to what do you want? James and John say, “we want to sit at your left and right when you are on the throne” (My paraphrase of Mark 10:36-37). I imagine Jesus now has a look on His face that says, “are you kidding me!” Jesus responds to their request, first with you have no idea what you have just asked for and asks this week’s question – “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with” (Mark 10:30). Remember just a short while before Jesus had described what was going to happen when they got to Jerusalem. James and John are like yes of course we can! Then Jesus’ gives one of the best responses ever. He tells James and John, “yep you are going to drink the same cup and experience the same baptism BUT, who gets to sit next to me isn’t up to me, those places have been prepared by some else for someone else” (Mark 10:38-40). By this time, the other ten had got wind of the conversation that was happening and it would seem they were giving James and John a bit of a what for. Jesus gathers them around and gives them all a little lesson on what greatness in the kingdom looks like – humble, service not power and authority.
James would the first of the twelve to lose his life for the cause of Christ when he loses his head (Acts 12:2). John on the other hand would miraculously survive being boiled in oil, live to an old age and die of natural causes. They drank the cup each in their own way.
Jesus always surrenders to the plan and will of His Father. He was about serving the people, especially those who were not welcome in the “religious” circles of His day. He teaches us that true greatness and power don’t come from wealth and unchecked authority, rather it comes from humble obedience and service. The Holy Spirit is present to help us live against the current of worldly greatness for something better.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – humble obedience and service will allow you to be more influential than money and authority will.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Only God is Good
“Why do you call me good?”
Mark 10:18 (NIV)
This week’s question is part of the “Rich Young Man” encounter. I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I read biblical passages that I have read before I still end up with questions. That was the case as I read about this encounter between Jesus and the rich man. Questions like: Has this guy asked more than one “good teacher” this question? Or did he think he knew something about Jesus that set Jesus apart from the other teachers? What did this guy expect the answer to be? Why was his wealth more valuable than God? Let’s take a closer look at this encounter.
Jesus was just heading out to his next stop when this guy runs up to Him, falls on his knees before him and says: “Good teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Some commentaries indicate that the “good teacher” greeting was a common way for someone considered a teacher to be greeted. But did people fall on their knees before the other teachers? Jesus as is often his practice answers with a question and statement: “Why do you call me good? No one is good – except God”. Did this guy know something, had he heard what people were saying about Jesus? Also, in his usual style Jesus doesn’t let this guy answer him, instead he keeps talking asking the man about some of the foundational laws in the Ten Commandments. The guy basically responds to Jesus by saying “Teacher, I have followed all the rules since I’ve been old enough to understand them. Jesus looks at him (I imagine with a slight smile, the kind of smile that says I see you, I care and I am about to speak truth to you). Jesus tells him you lack one thing – go sell everything you have and give the money to the poor – you have treasure in heaven, then come follow me. The “Good” teacher had just invited this guy to follow him… but the man’s face fell and he walked away sad. Why?
It appears this man, like many others of that time, was satisfied with just following the rules, even being proud of how well they followed them compared to others and who were also unwilling to completely surrender their lives to a Good God. There is a lot more to this story, so I encourage you to read Mark 10:17-31 to get the whole picture.
In some ways we have an advantage over the man in the story. Because we are looking back, we know who Jesus is – the incarnation of The Good God. But how many of us would still rather just follow the rules, rather than lay down our lives for what Jesus has to offer? He may not hear the Spirit say to sell everything, give the money away and follow Jesus. The willingness of our hearts to surrender absolutely everything to the Good God matters though.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember surrendering your whole self to the Good God, will result in more good than you can imagine right now.
Mark 10:18 (NIV)
This week’s question is part of the “Rich Young Man” encounter. I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I read biblical passages that I have read before I still end up with questions. That was the case as I read about this encounter between Jesus and the rich man. Questions like: Has this guy asked more than one “good teacher” this question? Or did he think he knew something about Jesus that set Jesus apart from the other teachers? What did this guy expect the answer to be? Why was his wealth more valuable than God? Let’s take a closer look at this encounter.
Jesus was just heading out to his next stop when this guy runs up to Him, falls on his knees before him and says: “Good teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Some commentaries indicate that the “good teacher” greeting was a common way for someone considered a teacher to be greeted. But did people fall on their knees before the other teachers? Jesus as is often his practice answers with a question and statement: “Why do you call me good? No one is good – except God”. Did this guy know something, had he heard what people were saying about Jesus? Also, in his usual style Jesus doesn’t let this guy answer him, instead he keeps talking asking the man about some of the foundational laws in the Ten Commandments. The guy basically responds to Jesus by saying “Teacher, I have followed all the rules since I’ve been old enough to understand them. Jesus looks at him (I imagine with a slight smile, the kind of smile that says I see you, I care and I am about to speak truth to you). Jesus tells him you lack one thing – go sell everything you have and give the money to the poor – you have treasure in heaven, then come follow me. The “Good” teacher had just invited this guy to follow him… but the man’s face fell and he walked away sad. Why?
It appears this man, like many others of that time, was satisfied with just following the rules, even being proud of how well they followed them compared to others and who were also unwilling to completely surrender their lives to a Good God. There is a lot more to this story, so I encourage you to read Mark 10:17-31 to get the whole picture.
In some ways we have an advantage over the man in the story. Because we are looking back, we know who Jesus is – the incarnation of The Good God. But how many of us would still rather just follow the rules, rather than lay down our lives for what Jesus has to offer? He may not hear the Spirit say to sell everything, give the money away and follow Jesus. The willingness of our hearts to surrender absolutely everything to the Good God matters though.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember surrendering your whole self to the Good God, will result in more good than you can imagine right now.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
The Law & Prophets = Suffering & Redemption
“Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?”
Mark 9:12 (NIV)
Some verses are just difficult to understand. I once was tasked with preaching a Lenten message using the following question as the foundation; “For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry” (Luke 23:31)? You have to wait until sometime in the third quarter when we tackle questions Jesus asked in the Luke’s Gospel. In the meantime, this week’s question is also a tough one – so we need some context, maybe a lot of context.
Jesus had invited Peter, James, and John to join Him on the mountain. One the mountain the three guys experience something extraordinary. They get a glimpse of the glorified version of Jesus. Jesus is transfigured – His clothes became dazzling white, then Moses and Elijah turn up and are having a chat to Jesus (note these two had been long gone from the planet by then). Then Peter does what Peter does best, sticks his foot straight in his mouth (see Mark 9:5-6). Next a cloud settles over this little gathering and a voice in the cloud says: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7). Finally, all of a sudden, it’s just Jesus, Peter, James, and John. As they head down the mountain Jesus tells them not to say a word about what they just witnessed until the Son of Man (Jesus) had risen from the dead. The guys do as they are told but discuss among themselves what “rising from the dead” meant. The guys ask Jesus a question about the teachers of the law saying Elijah had to come back before the Messiah came.
Here comes Jesus’ question. Jesus tells then yep Elijah does come first. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? Oh, and by the way Elijah has already come, and he wasn’t treated very well, just as it was written about him.
Now to try and make some sense of it. First remember that Moses represents The Law and Elijah represents the Prophets. The prophet Malachi tells of Elijah coming ahead of the Day of The Lord to turn the hearts of the people back to God. Enter John the Baptist, he came in the spirit of Elijah to do exactly that. That is why Jesus said that Elijah had been there and was treated badly. The prophet Isaiah talked about the suffering the Messiah would endure – read Isaiah 42:1-4 and Isaiah 53.
In asking this week’s question Jesus is making the connections between suffering and redemption clear. It is a reminder for us to stand firm in our faith in times of trial and to help us understand that to follow him requires humility and sacrifice. The prophets of old carried God’s word to the people to prepare their hearts for what God had planned. Those of us who follow after Jesus with sincere and humble hearts are meant to show others the way. Being obedient, will sometimes cause us pain. That pain is meant to help us grow and be more fruitful. To help us to fully trust in His plan for us and His ability when the time comes to make all things new and banish the darkness of this world forever.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember that whatever suffering we endure is only momentary in the face of eternity and that redemption is ours if we humbly surrender all to the giver of the Law and Prophets.
Mark 9:12 (NIV)
Some verses are just difficult to understand. I once was tasked with preaching a Lenten message using the following question as the foundation; “For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry” (Luke 23:31)? You have to wait until sometime in the third quarter when we tackle questions Jesus asked in the Luke’s Gospel. In the meantime, this week’s question is also a tough one – so we need some context, maybe a lot of context.
Jesus had invited Peter, James, and John to join Him on the mountain. One the mountain the three guys experience something extraordinary. They get a glimpse of the glorified version of Jesus. Jesus is transfigured – His clothes became dazzling white, then Moses and Elijah turn up and are having a chat to Jesus (note these two had been long gone from the planet by then). Then Peter does what Peter does best, sticks his foot straight in his mouth (see Mark 9:5-6). Next a cloud settles over this little gathering and a voice in the cloud says: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7). Finally, all of a sudden, it’s just Jesus, Peter, James, and John. As they head down the mountain Jesus tells them not to say a word about what they just witnessed until the Son of Man (Jesus) had risen from the dead. The guys do as they are told but discuss among themselves what “rising from the dead” meant. The guys ask Jesus a question about the teachers of the law saying Elijah had to come back before the Messiah came.
Here comes Jesus’ question. Jesus tells then yep Elijah does come first. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? Oh, and by the way Elijah has already come, and he wasn’t treated very well, just as it was written about him.
Now to try and make some sense of it. First remember that Moses represents The Law and Elijah represents the Prophets. The prophet Malachi tells of Elijah coming ahead of the Day of The Lord to turn the hearts of the people back to God. Enter John the Baptist, he came in the spirit of Elijah to do exactly that. That is why Jesus said that Elijah had been there and was treated badly. The prophet Isaiah talked about the suffering the Messiah would endure – read Isaiah 42:1-4 and Isaiah 53.
In asking this week’s question Jesus is making the connections between suffering and redemption clear. It is a reminder for us to stand firm in our faith in times of trial and to help us understand that to follow him requires humility and sacrifice. The prophets of old carried God’s word to the people to prepare their hearts for what God had planned. Those of us who follow after Jesus with sincere and humble hearts are meant to show others the way. Being obedient, will sometimes cause us pain. That pain is meant to help us grow and be more fruitful. To help us to fully trust in His plan for us and His ability when the time comes to make all things new and banish the darkness of this world forever.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember that whatever suffering we endure is only momentary in the face of eternity and that redemption is ours if we humbly surrender all to the giver of the Law and Prophets.
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