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: Monday, November 09, 2020
Chapters: Mark 14, Luke 22
Message: He Knows The Way I Take
Hello My Friend,
I have had such a hard time getting started this morning, I was awake at four, promising God that I would spend some much needed time with Him. And I did, only every five minutes I got distracted. I knew right there that God must have wanted me to talk about something that the devil was going to fight me on, and I was right. Satan has a lot of power and influence over man, yet he is only as strong as God allows him to be. You see, God does try our faith, but not as Satan does, God uses the very temptations and trials that Satan puts on us to bring us to a greater dependence upon Him. Satan on the other hand uses them to get us to tempt God, and forsake Him. Remember, God already knows our faith in Him, when He tries us, we will come forth as gold, [Job 23:8-10 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: 9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: 10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.]
[but he is not there;] Let me tell you, it is during our most trying times, when we cannot see God anywhere, that He is actually right there, watching over us, and protecting us from Satan doing more damage than He allows. While Satan can influence those who are saved into temptation, he cannot do is get a hold of our soul, since our soul as it belongs to Jesus. Remember, Jesus knows our faith, He will prepare our hearts to accept Him when the time is right. He also know the faith of the ones who will never accept Him. The Gospels of Mark and Luke also record the Passover feast as well as what took place prior to Jesus being betrayed and captured. The chief priests and scribes were determined to get Jesus killed one way or another, they became overjoyed when one of His very own disciples comes up to them and tells them that he will help them capture Jesus.
[Luke 22:1-6 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.]
[Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot,] Of all the disciples, why was Satan able to get to Judas? Well, the truth is, he was probably working on all of them. Judas was unlike the rest of the disciples, he did not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, whereas the rest of them did. This was all the ammunition Satan needed to use him to be a tool that could overthrow the prophecy. As Jesus spends some time with Simon’s house in Bethany, a woman came up to Him. This was Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, she had a very expensive bottle of perfume, she broke the bottle, and poured it on His head. Judas became greatly agitated, some of the disciples began to complain about this too, but Jesus told them to stop bothering her.
[Mark 14:3-9 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.]
[an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious;] Alabaster resembled white marble, the perfume was carefully sealed inside to preserve it. Its cost would amount to about fifty dollars back then that would have taken three hundred days of work to be able to purchase it. [this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.] Do you understand what this woman did? This perfume was to be used on her wedding day, without it she knew she would never be married as it was a testimony of her purity. More important than her desire for a husband, was her desire to honor her Saviour with whatever was the most precious to her. Those who honor Christ with all that they have are honored by Him. More important than the most valuable possession we hold is our soul, that is what Jesus gave is His life for. [I Peter 1:7-9 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.]
As I said earlier, I believe Satan worked on all the disciples before getting to Judas. I say this because Luke also records the last supper that Jesus had with the disciples, he also records that as they were eating together when an argument broke out among them.
[Luke 22:24-32 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. 28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.]
[that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee,] It is fitting that they would all be arguing about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God right at this exact time. Jesus responds by telling them that no matter how great the position on earth, we are all the same in His Kingdom. He singles out, telling him that Satan desires to have him. What does that mean? It means that Satan desires every soul that is not saved, as he knows that these are the most precious to God. An unsaved soul is one that Satan can, in fact, get a hold of to do his bidding. Remember, none of the disciples were saved yet, Jesus actually does pray for us before and after get saved. Yes, Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, praying for us, He is our intercessor, just like the high priest was, only He is much more than a high priest, He is the blood that redeems us, [Hebrews 9:11-12 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.]
Now, even though Satan cannot get to a saved soul, that does not mean that he cannot put doubts and fears into us to influence us to go against God. The key to keeping our faith strong so that we can fight off Satan’s temptations is to keep our heart perfect toward Christ. While we are in no way perfect and, let me tell you, we mess up every day, we can live a perfect life in Christ. Make no mistake, since life is not perfect our heart is not always going to be perfect, but as long as we are faithful, He will never leave nor forsake us. Why? Jesus knows our true faith, He also knows that we are capable of doing some crazy things out of fear. As Jesus and the disciples were finishing up, Jesus flat out told them that He knows they will deny Him when He is captured.
[Mark 14:26-31 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.]
[I will not deny thee in any wise.] None of us will say that we will not deny Christ, and yet there are times when we actually do, even though we are not willing to admit that. I am guilty of this, I admit that I held back my faith a time or two to avoid confrontation. You know though, there is a time to be silent, and then a time to fight. Jesus tells the disciples, that this was the time to fight.
[Luke 22:35-40 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. 39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.]
[Pray that ye enter not into temptation.] This is why we are to pray each day, [Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.] No, God in no way leads us into temptation. He in fact, delivers us from it, which is what this means. God cannot and will not tempt us to sin, that is Satan who does that. God is the one who leads us away from the temptation as long as we keep asking Him to do lead us away from it. And let me tell you, the power that God has in us is only as powerful as our faith that He can do what He says. And that is the key to defeating Satan, [James 1:12-14 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, I know that my flesh is weak and my heart is not always perfect, I might not always be in Your will, but I do know that You are the key to getting back into it. Living in Your will is not always easy, I have to give up some of the things I love, suffer through some things, deal with ungodly people, who say they are Christians, even do some things I do not want to do, but I know that it comes with the greatest rewards. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power, mercy, and grace to keep my heart perfect, show me the path You have for me, give me the wisdom, understanding, discernment, and strength I need to stay in it, And keep me looking to You at all times so that I can boldly proclaim You are mine at all times. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from all evil. I pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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