After Jesus!

For Sunday, March 17, 2024:

Mark 14:49 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.”

It seems that when he was alive, Jesus was either extremely loved or severely abhorred. The Bible doesn’t reveal much middle ground.

The general population was impressed with Jesus’ teaching, amazed by his knowledge of God, the Kingdom and heaven, and in awe of the miracles he performed. These are the people who hollered, “Hosannah, save us, save us now,” as Jesus reentered Jerusalem riding a new donkey.

Not so with the Roman Government and the Religious leaders. There was no official religion in the Roman empire other than their made-up gods. Jesus drew huge crowds, so the Romans always felt the threat of a violent rebellion. Jesus came in peace, so that never happened.

Jesus taught on the Temple grounds and attracted thousands of followers. But to the Temple Leader’s dismay, Jesus pointed out all the principles the Pharisees had gotten wrong. The priests had exalted themselves – put themselves up on a pedestal – but after Jesus, they were no longer needed. After Jesus, believers could pray directly to God Almighty. They no longer needed a priest as an intercessor. Jesus pointed out that God’s desire is that everyone would repent and return to him, to come home. After Jesus, all who believed had access to a heavenly eternity. One more thing – if people were supporting Jesus’ ministry, they probably weren’t supporting the temple. Jesus was stripping the Temple hierarchy of power, influence and money.

Believers spent the last two thousand years upholding the Good News brought to us by Jesus. We should all continue that devotion nowadays, and share the Good News with others. We should repent and return to the Lord as God directed. Filled with joy and enthusiasm, we should shout the virtues of Jesus!

In God’s vast eternal plan, Jesus is bigger than Taylor Swift! Really!

See you at church! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship