Traitor!

For Sunday, September 28, 2025:

Mark 14:43 NLT: “Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders.”

So much is wrong in this scene that it’s hard to know where to start! Judas, the betrayer, was one of the trusted 12 who traveled with Jesus and ate their meals alongside him. They had all witnessed the lame walk again and the blind seeing following Jesus’ intervention. They had watched Jesus feed thousands with seemingly few resources. Most of all, he taught love and forgiveness, which was not the norm at that time!

Pharisees and religious teachers should have had no part in a murder plot (see commandment #6.) They were doing what they would counsel others to NOT do! They were going against their own value system. I’ve said many times that Jesus should have represented ‘Judaism, the next chapter,’ not a separate religion. After all, Jesus was teaching in the Temple! He was sent to earth by the Hebrew’s God. But this betrayal was not about God; it was about money and power. If worshipers were supporting Jesus, their tithes were not going to the Pharisees. (To get to the bottom of a conspiracy, just follow the money!)

Swords and clubs would not be needed to take Jesus into custody. If he were here today, he’d be labeled a Peace Activist. But the vast eternal plan was to have God’s Son be the sacrifice for the sins of the world. This conspiracy, resulting in Jesus’ demise, gave legs to God’s plan. Eventually Jesus died and mankind’s sins were forgiven for all time. One and done! No further sacrifice needed!

The bad guys played an important role in believers getting to experience life after this life. When it’s your turn, Jesus will welcome loyal believers with open arms!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Resource Multiplied!

For Thursday, January 25, 2024:

Mark 8:2 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat.”

Today Jesus is going to feed 4,000 men and their families, much as he previously fed the crowd of 5,000. This time the disciples gave up seven loaves of their own bread. Jesus multiplied the resource which he could do, and put the disciples in charge of distribution which they could do. When the disciples saw what Jesus did with the bread, they gave up a few fish as well. This wasn’t a “grab-&-go” lunch. Jesus had everyone sit down, and they were served a full meal. The multitude ate as much as they wanted, and the disciples gathered up seven large baskets of leftovers. After feeding 4,000 men and their families, the Jesus team had more food than when they started! Miracle complete.

Our God has thousands of cattle on thousands of hills. Surely he can and will provide the resources we need to be his hands and feet here on earth!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Compassion!

June 13, 2022 Monday Message:

Mark 8:11 NLT: “When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.”

Jesus showed compassion on the crowd of 4,000 men and their families. They were a long way from home and hadn’t brought food. Jesus found seven loaves and a few fish, gave thanks and distributed the food. Everyone ate as much as they wanted, and afterward the disciples gathered seven large baskets of leftovers. Now the Pharisees show up and demand a miraculous sign. Duh! What do you think just happened?

Jesus declined the Pharisee’s request. He’s not in the business of pulling a rabbit out of a hat when antagonists demand a sign. Jesus – follow the ‘God Trend’ here – is known for love, compassion and mercy. That’s the Savior we worship! If a miracle will advance those goals, he’s ‘in.’ But a miracle just for show? You’ve got the wrong guy! The Pharisees only wanted to argue, to confront Jesus, who had been busy shepherding his flock. Jesus had no time for their demands.

Jesus was so offended that he crossed to the other side of the lake, explaining the situation to his disciples as they sailed.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Convincing Evidence!

For Thursday, March 31, 2022

Matthew 14:21 NLT: “About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!”

Talk about ‘under-resourced!’ Jesus was given only five loaves and two fish, and after looking to heaven, he got food to 5,000 men and their families! Everyone who was searching for the Messiah, looking for a sign from heaven, should have found a big bunch of hope that day!

Unfortunately some still doubted; some thought his power came from Satan; some weren’t ready to commit to such an eternal decision.

But if you open your eyes and ears and consider all the evidence objectively, it should leave no doubt that Jesus was heaven-sent on a mission for mankind’s rescue.

You should open a place in your heart to include the Son of God!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406