Some effort is required to see beyond the present earthly circumstances in the teachings of Jesus. Obedience in tithing, no matter how small the gift, gains the attention of God. Offerings cannot be given to God until the tithes are paid. Jesus said tithing “mint and rue” should be done but not as the fulfillment of the law. Do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with your God – too. Don’t rob God. Give not to get but as a loving child.
Jesus covert mission in the earth was not vindicated by large crowds or military style conquest. The murderous plans of the rebellious religious leaders toward Jesus interfered His original plan to be a willing sacrifice. We thwart God’s plan when we operate on our own wit, rather than being led by the Spirit of God.
IMPORTANT! Keep the commandments. Take time every day to hear the voice of God. Never, ever violate your conscience.
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99: Jesus Praises Sincerity
Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4
JESUS STOOD in the temple watching rich men place gifts of money into the temple treasury. He saw a poor widow cast two mites, amounting to one farthing, therein.
Jesus said:
“Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God, but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.”
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100: Jesus Once More Speaks Of His Death And Resurrection
John 12:20-50
Certain Greeks had arrived at Jerusalem for the feast days. They went to Phillip of Bethsaida in Galilee, saying:
“Sir, we would see Jesus.”
Phillip told Andrew of the request and both Phillip and Andrew went to Jesus with the message. Jesus replied:
“The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‘Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone.’ But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be. If any man serve me, him will my Father honor. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour; but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name.”
Then a voice from Heaven was heard, saying:
“I HAVE BOTH GLORIFIED IT, AND WILL GLORIFY IT AGAIN.”
Some of the people who heard the voice said it thundered. Others said:
“An angel spake to him.”
Jesus answered, saying:
“This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world. Now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
Thus Jesus signified how he was to die.
The people asked him:
“We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth forever. And how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up?’ Who is this Son of man?”
Jesus replied to the people:
“Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.”
When he finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from the multitude. Even though he had done so many miracles before their very eyes, still they did not believe in him. Thus was the prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled, that which said:
“Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? He hath blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.”
Nevertheless even among the chief rulers many believed in Jesus but, because of the Pharisees, they could not openly state their belief, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Jesus cried and said:
“He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And him that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him. The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting. Whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”