“…I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.” – 1 John 2:12 REFERENCE: 1 John 2:12-14 The Bible uses different metaphors to describe the process of growth (shining sun, seeds, trees, children). Yesterday, we read in the book of Mark that the sower scattered his seeds and those that fell on good ground developed roots and grew. Firstly, they sprouted the blades, next the head, and then, the full grain. Growth is a process and God begins everything as a seed; especially the seed of His Word in our hearts; the purpose...

“…and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.” – Mark 4:27b REFERENCE:  MARK 4:26-29   TO GROW means to progressively develop, to become larger, to increase in size and in amount. It means to mature, become better, more developed or improved in some way. It is to rise or spread. It connotes coming to a place of influence in spiritual things. To grow also means to pass from childhood to adulthood with time. Our text talks about a seed falling on the earth, and sprouting and growing without the sower knowing how the growth came about;...

They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.” – Psalms 92:14   REFERENCE: PSALMS 92:12-15 As a child of God, every season is your season. In fact, it is in times of famine and economic difficulty that God wants you to flourish and prosper because of where you are rooted and connected. Even when God says, “Later!” to your desires, live in constant expectation and believe that every day is your day and every season is your season. Jesus categorically said, “Any branch that does not abide in me cannot bear fruits and will...

“But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”” ~ Matthew 28:5&6   Reference:  Matthew 28:1-10 Jesus got to Jerusalem, “for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem,” (Luke 13:22) and was crucified on the cross, paying for all our sins. Hell gloated at His death, the religious leaders were happy and the disciples were distraught and scattered. Jesus was buried in a tomb…and...

“And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.” ~ Matthew 26:47   Reference:  Matthew 26:36-41; 47-56   Man fell in a garden and his redemption started in another garden – Gethsemane. The ‘enemy’ came into both gardens; Eden, as a serpent, and Gethsemane, with gangsters with clubs and swords. Jesus had retired to this garden to meditate about His approaching death and to pray. This is the final lap of His journey to Jerusalem, the journey to the cross....

“A woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?” ~ Matthew 26:7&8   Reference:  Matthew 26:6-13 Amidst the arrows of hate shot at Jesus on His journey to Jerusalem, like sun rays peeping into a dark room, we here see the only gracious act of hospitality and kindness He received; first from Simon the Leper who hosted Him to a meal, and then from this unnamed woman who poured a...

“But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?” ~ Matthew 22:18 Reference:  Matthew 22:15-22 Things are happening very fast! Purpose is about to be fulfilled. Jesus is teaching, healing, amending old traditions and rebuking the Pharisees for their harmful doctrines. His critics are actively looking for ways to stop or undermine Him. Their direct approaches have not worked, so, they regrouped and plotted an indirect way to entangle Him…to catch Him in His words. They came to him as friendly eager learners, seeking clarification on matters of religion and state. As a Teacher, He was...

“Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”.” ~ Matthew 21:23   Reference:  Matthew 21:23-27   Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem was for the fulfillment of His ultimate purpose. So much happened in just a few days; there was excitement in heaven and the children rejoiced. These got the devil’s attention, and he would use any means to stop Jesus. It began right in the temple. Can you see it? On a...

“And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.” ~ Matthew 21:19 Reference:  Matthew 21:18-22 As Jesus journeyed into Jerusalem, He received adulations from the behemoth crowd who hailed Him as the King of Zion, coming on a lowly donkey. Palm fronds and clothes were spread on the road as He traveled. He then proceeded to the temple, where He overturned the tables of money changers and dove sellers. While there, the blind...

“Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.” ~ Matthew 21:2   REFERENCE: Matthew 21:1-11 It is the season of Easter! Let’s journey into Jerusalem with Jesus to witness His last days on earth. King Jesus was about to go into His capital city, Jerusalem, to fulfill the prophecies concerning His death. So, here begins a journey with so much meaning and so many lessons. In bible days, Kings rode on mules (or donkeys) as King David instructed in I Kings 1:33, “…Take...