I'm Following Jesus – Page 1293 – Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34

Date: Friday, October 23, 2020
Chapters: John 7-8
Message: Politics Of Religion

Hello My Friend,

As I was reading the chapters for today I could not help but think about the election. Many people do not realize it, but Jesus’ crucifixion was political. In fact, it was one of the worse forms of politics that can take place, that being religious politics. In case you have not noticed there is corruption in both parties, and you can listen to the media, actors, and those awful ads spreading all these lies, or you can trust that God is in control. I utterly detest those ads that tell you that you are not a Christian if you vote for this person, naming off all their sins, which most are untrue to begin with. Well, let me tell you, the last time I checked from the Bible, no one is without sin, and I do not need a Bible to tell me that. I could write an entire message on what Jesus says about judging people, but God has led me to talk about something else and that is making sure that what we hear is actually true, [Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.]

Believe it or not, America was founded on Christian values, in fact, the Constitution was written with them in mind, and not all of the men responsible for drawing up the Constitution were Christians. The founding fathers knew a thing or two about religious persecution, false religion that is, and made it a point to make sure that everyone has a right to choose their own religion. That is what the First Amendment is all about, it means that we are not forced to follow one religion appointed by the countries leaders. Religion is one of the most corrupt origination’s there is, right up there with politics. The Jews prided themselves on their religion, and their faith in God, but it was definitely not the same religion God gave them. You see, if they knew the Law, then they would trust that the very Scriptures they read regarding the Messiah was in fact Jesus. During the Feast of Booths, Jesus went to his hometown of Galilee, instead of Jerusalem, even his own earthly half brothers, these are the sons that Mary and Joseph had after Jesus was born, did not believe yet that He is the Messiah.

[John 7:1-8 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. 7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. 8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.]

[but your time is alway ready.] What Jesus meant by this was that they were safe to go into Jerusalem at any time and participate in the feasts, their lives were not in danger as His was. It was not time for Him to show Himself to the world and be captured by the Jews who were out to kill Him. You see, whenever there were feast days the Jews often traveled to the Temple in large groups, Jesus hid Himself from the crowd, but went up privately. And He was definitely the talk of the town as the Jews looked for Him.

[John 7:11-13,26-31 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? 12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. 13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews. 26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? 27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. 28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. 29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me. 30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. 31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?]

[When Christ cometh,] You see, they knew the Scriptures, that the Messiah they are still waiting for today would come through the lineage of David, and that He would be born in Bethlehem. What they failed to recognize is that all of this did happen, well, some actually did kind of believe that He is the Messiah, but kept it a secret because they feared their own lives because of the Jews who refused to believe. [for fear of the Jews.] Notice how is says they feared the Jews. At this point, the Jews were no longer seen as sons of Israel (Jacob), rather some religious group. It was the last day of the feast, Jesus stood in the midst, and says one thing that many believed on Him, but this religious group could not get past their egos, and refused to believe.

[John 7:33-38,40-42,47 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. 34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. 35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? 36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come? 37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. 41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? 47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?]

[What manner of saying is this that he said,] Of course, Jesus was speaking about their understanding who He is after His passion and He ascends back the the Father. Most of them saw Jesus as a carpenters son from Galilee, yet not one of them saw Him as one of them. [Are ye also deceived?] The religious do not want to actually believe that Jesus is the Messiah, if they did then, that would mean every lie they have been telling the people will come out. And this is why the Jews wanted to kill Him. The same is true for most “Christian” churches. In fact, the majority of “Christian” churches are no different than Jewish temples, they are all led by laws made up by man, not God. And they have very little to do with Christ, and to being a Christian is not a religion, it means that we are a follower of Christ, we imitate Christ in what we do. Being a Christian is not about following a bunch of rules made by man, it is about following the pattern that Christ has given us, [John 13:15-17 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.]

As I said at the start, this is religious politics, and as we continue reading through the Gospels we will discover this even more. These were the Pharisees, the ones who were supposed to know the Scriptures, and they did, when it was convenient for them. A perfect example of this is the woman whom they caught in adultery.

[John 8:3,5-11 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.]

[Now Moses in the law commanded us,] First of all, they were only going to condemn the woman, the man is just as guilty also. Second, they added to the law, which never said to stone them, [Leviticus 20:10]. Third, they sentenced her without a fair trial, and forth, they tempted Him. There is a difference between proving God and tempting Him, and He will not tolerate those who twist His Word, accuse Him, and tempt Him, [Psalm 78:19-22]. [He that is without sin among you,] Jesus did what every true and faithful servant of God does when they stand by their faith and in His Word, He did not judge them, just brought them to their own conviction. I believe that what Jesus was doing when He turned around, writing whatever it is that He wrote in the sand, was letting them see that the only one qualified to cast the first stone has compassion on all. Remember, Jesus never condones sin, He told her to sin no more, but is very merciful and always forgiving when we come to Him in confession. We are all sinners even after we are saved, it is time that we acknowledge that, [I John 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.]

Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for setting me free from religion and my own ways, and for the sacrifice You made in order to save me. I know I do not have eternal life based on any thing that I have done, but simply by my faith and trust in what You have done in my place. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power, wisdom, guidance, mercy, and grace to stand by my faith. Keep me in Your Word to know how to answer those who attempt to twist it for I know You are the way, the truth, and the life. While people may come and go in my life You will never leave nor forsake me no matter how many times I mess up, and I thank You for that. Thank You also for Your grace, mercy and never ending love. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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