Tag Archives: Disciples

The Day When the Others Fell Away

Posted on March 29, 2013 by expressyourself4him

If Matthew 5:48 is any indication, Jesus had high expectations for his followers.  Hard teachings like Matthew 19:16-25 even made Jesus’ own disciples question their faith.  Thus, to meet his lofty goal, Jesus selected 12 men, giving each special authority to act on his behalf, like an ambassador, Matthew 10:1.  During their initial trial run which began in Mark 6:7, it appears by remarks made in Mark 9:14-29 that success didn’t always came easy or in this case, not at all.  When all your attempts to please your boss, mentor and teacher fail, some fall by the wayside, John 12:6.

Meanwhile, Luke 10:1-20 implies an addition 72 disciples were appointed by Jesus and given similar responsibilities like the more famous 12.  Since the first 12 Jesus called are sent out in Luke 9:1-9, Luke is not repeating himself by accident.  Rather, Luke 10:17 suggests Jesus delegated an identical power to these men who were able to cast out demons, possibly healing others as well.  However, when the crowds following Jesus grew beyond a reasonable limit, Jesus offered up the words of Luke 14:25-35 to communicate his standards and necessary sacrifices to maintain for the long haul.  While none are mentioned to have left there on the spot, logic says people began to second guess their stance or commitment level.

The decision within the minds of many followers came to a climax in John 6:25-66.  Jesus used the feeding of the 5,000 as a teachable moment, to further people’s understanding of who he was, “the bread of life,” John 6:51.  Just as Jesus’ words puzzled Nicodemus in John 3:4, many disciples were left dazed, unable to grasp this spiritual message.  This difficult teaching lead to grumbling among the ranks of the disciples according to John 6:60-61.  While no names are given, John 6:66 clearly states that many of the 72 and possibly other categories of disciples abandoned Jesus.  This is the day, prior to Jesus’ last Passover on earth, when the others fell away.

by Jay Mankus

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Strangers in the Crowd

Posted on March 23, 2013 by expressyourself4him

The biblical accounts of The Triumphal Entry contain 3 common threads, except for John who only mentions two, John 12:12-18.  Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1-11 and Luke 19:28-44 explain the detailed preparations necessary to make the first Palm Sunday a reality, followed by specific instructions Jesus leaves with two of his disciples.  Once executed exactly according to Jesus’ own words, all 4 authors emphasize the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy by the triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the waving of palm branches, an act of praise and worship by the strangers in the crowd.

While the Holy Spirit, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, led Matthew, Mark and Luke to recount these 3 main details, John is moved in a different direction, focusing on individuals who attended this celebration.  John 12:17 suggests that people who went to Lazarus’ funeral lined the streets, paying homage to the man who brought their friend back to life.  Though this passage shines light on a few of the participants, clues, hints and logic are the only tools we have remaining to connect the dots to the faces of these strangers in this crowd.

Matthew 20:34 confirms that two blind men from Jericho whom were healed by Jesus, followed him to Jerusalem.  Bartimaeus is named directly by  a similar account in Mark 10:46-52.  Meanwhile, Matthew 19:13-15 informs us that children were granted access to Jesus, likely following their parents trying to sneak a peek of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem.   According to Luke 19:1-10, a short tax collector began climbing a tree to get Jesus’ attention.  After a life changing visit with Jesus, Zacchaeus was surely present, either in the front row or climbing another tree to pay Jesus the respect he deserved.

With all the clues and hints within Scripture used up, logic leads me to believe that anyone healed by Jesus came to the first Palm Sunday.  Furthermore, any family member who either heard, knew of someone or actually saw Jesus make a person whole again was likely in attendance.  As Palm Sunday 2013 approaches this weekend, don’t be left out in the cold.  Rather, line up early to become another stranger in the crowd, ready to worship the risen King!

by Jay Mankus

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Insider Trading

Posted on March 19, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Lee Curtis used satire to give a comical portrayal of insider trading in the 1983 film Trading Places.  Four years later, Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen and Daryl Hannah starred in Wall Street, an Oliver Stone drama depicting the greed of a corporate executive, Gordon Gekko, seeking to gain wealth through insider trading.  Today, rumors of insider trading continue to swell as individuals put aside integrity for the temptation of striking it rich.

Such is the case of a first century man whose position and social status opened the door for compromise.  For Judas Iscariot, his career was promising, chosen to be one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, Matthew 10:4.  While not given the honor of being part of Jesus’ inner circle like Peter, James and John, Mark 9:2-9, Judas did receive special authority to preach and drive out demons, Mark 3:14-15.  John 12:4-6 reveals that Judas was also given the special responsibility of treasurer, overseeing the money given to Jesus’ ministry.  As the keeper of the money bag, Judas’ role likely included taking care of meals, traveling and any other expenses accrued during Jesus’ 3 year ministry on earth.

When you read Mark 14:10-11, there is much more beneath the surface to explain Judas’ betrayal, insider trading and subsequent suicide.  This is where you enter into uncharted territory, as the Bible is silent on this matter.  Thus, the only hope to reach a conclusion is to try to uncover the vast clues left behind by scripture.

Theories about Judas Iscariot’s Betrayal:

1) Jesus was hard on his disciples, verbalizing his disappointment due to their lack of faith, Mark 8:21.

2) Maybe Judas was sensitive, eventually becoming a disgruntled servant after the incident in John 12:4-6, thinking he wasn’t appreciated or paid enough to continue following Jesus.

3) It’s possible that Jesus tirade in Mark 12:17 was the last straw, likely embarrassing people Judas knew.

4) Jesus messages on being rich offended Judas, Matthew 6:19-24, especially Jesus’ words to the rich young man in Matthew 19:16-25.

5) Judas thought Jesus would be an earthly king, raising to power as a ruler over Jerusalem, likely the same reason Peter turns from a fighter in Matthew 26:51 into a wimp moments later, Matthew 26:75.

Although, one of these may not be the exact reason for Judas’ betrayal, there is one thing Judas lacked.  Instead of entering into a personal relationship with Jesus like Nicodemus does at the end of his life, John 20:39-40, Judas remained an outsider spiritually.  In the process of accumulating wealth, Judas forfeited his soul, Matthew 16:26.  As Easter Sunday 2013 quickly approaches, make room in your heart for Jesus, by letting God into your life, Revelation 3:19-20.

by Jay Mankus

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Unleashing the Power of Prayer

Posted on March 13, 2013 by expressyourself4him

During a 3 year stretch, Jesus performed miracles every day, with his 12 disciples likely eyewitnesses of these amazing feats, John 21:25.  Jesus calmed storms, walked on water, restored sight to the blind, gave voices to the mute and enabled the crippled or paralyzed to walk.  However, there are 4 passages in the gospel which reveal why modern Christians aren’t successful in their prayer life.  Mark 11:20-25 holds a powerful truth that needs to be unlocked.

In Mark 11:22, Jesus is disappointed by Peter’s reaction a verse earlier.  Jesus appears to have expected a greater faith by now, one that demonstrates unquestioning power.  However, a spirit of doubt is limiting the disciples ability to receive instantaneous answers to prayer, Mark 11:23.  Back in Mark 5:36-41, Jesus takes drastic measures, removing everyone out of a house except Peter, James, John and a dead girl.  Once doubt is eliminated from their presence, the little girl is risen from the dead.  After the road block of doubt has been bypassed, another element also stifles prayer.

According to Jesus, unconfessed sin or any grudge that is held, prevents a prayer from being carried out, Mark 11:25.  On several occasions, Jesus told the person who approached him, your sins are forgiven prior to the actually healing, Mark 2:5.  In the case of the adulterous woman, Jesus commands her to leave her life of sin, John 8:11.  The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer contains a similar conditional clause.  Unless you forgive others of their sins first, God will not forgive you of your own sins, Matthew 6:14-15.  Therefore, if your prayer life is unproductive, 3 things must be addressed before the power of prayer can be unleashed.

1. Remove any presence of doubt from your heart, soul and mind.

2. Publicly confess any issue, mistake or sin you are currently struggling with.

3. Ask God to reveal any grudges you are holding on to as well as anyone you have not fully forgiven.

When you add faith to this simple equation, Matthew 21:21-22, God will unlock the power of prayer in your life.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

 

 

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Where it all Began

Posted on February 28, 2012 by expressyourself4him

When you ask people where did the church begin, some will say Antioch.  It was here where the term Christian was first coined due to the believers of this city who emulated the life of Christ and his teachings.  Others will say the church began after Pentecost, specifically in Acts 2:42-47, where Luke, the author of Acts, describes the blue print for the first century church.  Meanwhile, many will suggest the church began with Peter and the 12 disciples, relying on Jesus’ own words in Matthew 16:17-18.  However, after a rhema today, a word of knowledge from God, the church began in Acts 1:14.

Most historians of the first 3 centuries of the church, believe the Gospel of Luke and Acts are one continuous book .  Both are addressed to the same patron, Theophilus, whom was likely responsible for copying and distributing Luke and Acts once they were complete by Luke.  Since the gospel of Luke never mentions the great commission of Jesus, the only synoptic gospel not to mention this vital event, Acts mentions this right away in 1:8.  Except for Luke 24:50-53, the last few verses of Luke, there is a natural progression between Luke’s gospel and Acts.  This leads me to where the first church members are mentioned in Acts 1:14-15.

Luke suggests that there were approximately 120 core believers immediately following Jesus’ ascension into heaven.  The 11 disciples are obvious, followed by Mary the mother of Jesus along with his earthly brothers and the women whom discovered the empty tomb in Luke 24:22-23.  Luke 24:24 suggests companions of the disciples, Luke 10:1 suggests 72 others who were appointed by the Lord and John 19:38-39 suggests Pharisees like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea had become followers of Jesus.  If you add spouses of these men, you begin to get close to 120 people.

The first century church began with the 11 remaining disciples, coming together regularly to pray, joining other followers of Jesus as a corporate body of believers.  According to Acts 1, there were 2 main items on their prayer agenda, raising up a new disciple to replace Judas Iscariot and receiving the power of the Holy Spirit.  Like the parable of the persistent widow, Luke 18:1-8, these men and women continue praying until God answered their prayers.  Pentecost, beginning in Acts 2:1, was not a fluke, happening by a random act of choice.  No!  Pentecost occurred, just like the first and second great awakenings, God’s people came together every day to pray as a corporate body in a concert of united prayer.  This is where it all began, by never giving up and claiming words like Matthew 15:25-28 in prayer.

by Jay Mankus

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