Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the wine press and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. Haven’t you read this passage of scripture:

‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’

Psalm 118:22-23

Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

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Jesus was obviously speaking about His Father. God sent His people prophets, kings, and judges. They continued to turn their backs on Him so He then sent His Son…whom He loved. He did all of that because He loves you and desperately wants you to be with Him. He will go to the lengths of sacrificing His own Son for you and for me to have a way to Him. Jesus died so that we may have hope. In a time when Hope seems distant…remember that God has already offered it. Live in the hope of eternity today. Do not let the things of this world hold you back from that truth.

They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to Him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”

Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism-was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’…” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)

So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

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Jesus confronted the religious leaders on their mishaps. They knew they would be wrong on both accounts. Sometimes…no matter how right we may think we are…we are still wrong. What is most important is that when we are wrong…we look to the One who is right. It’s a much easier life when you let God lead your decisions and life instead of counting on yourself. Today…let God lead you me actions, words, and decisions. Let Him carry your burden. Find peace in Him.

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to find out if it had any fruit. When He reached it, He found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then He said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And His disciples heard Him say it.

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as He taught them, He said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of robbers.’

The chief priests and teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill Him, for they feared Him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

When evening came, Jesus and His disciples went out of the city.

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your father in Heaven May forgive you your sins.”

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Do you pray…truly believing that what you seek God can give? Do you truly pray for God to rid us of this virus…truly believing that He will…or is their doubt and questions as you pray? Could it be that we haven’t been praying powerful prayers? Could it be that we have allowed some doubt to enter our minds? How many truly believe that miracles still exist? Has God changed? He can do anything…there is nothing that is impossible for Him. Yes, He knows what is best…but today I just want you to consider…how powerful are your prayers? Put some faith in your prayers today…leave doubt behind.

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Until it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, He sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

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I can’t help but think of Jesus’ comments of: “They worship me with their lips but their hearts are far from me.” How many times to people worship God in Sunday’s or even through the week…but their hearts are fixed on something else? During this time, we should take advantage of evaluating our relationship with God. We don’t have the excuse of not having time anymore. Don’t be the Jews laying palm branches and shouting praise one day and crucifying Him another. Make sure it’s not just your lips praising God…but more importantly so is your heart.

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

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It was the faith of the blind man that healed him. I can’t help but see a similarity in this man and where we are today. It will be our faith that brings us through this virus. It will be our faith that keeps us strong. It will be our faith that helps us stand tall against the forces of evil. Why?? It all has to do with where our faith lies. It is faith in God that will prove to be the answer. It’s always been the answer…and it will continue to always be the answer. Put your faith in God…He’a got this.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” He asked.

They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

“You don’t know what you’re asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

“We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles rule it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

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We live in a time and culture where we are supposed to take care of ourself and make sure we are comfortable and taken care of. The disciples lived the same way…until Jesus brought a new outlook to them. Jesus said I didn’t come to be served…but to serve. It’s this attitude that will put you first in life…to serve and not be served. Especially in the times we are living in, it’s important that we be the image of God…which means we must put the needs of others above our own. How can you serve? How can you put the needs of others above your own?

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again He took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to Him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” He said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles, who will mock Him and spit on Him, flog Him and kill Him. Three days later He will rise.”

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We are dealing with a difficult time as a nation and as a world. This is a simple reminder that our Savior faces the most difficult circumstances so that when we face times such as these, we have hope. Today, be reminded of the hope we have in Jesus. It is far greater than any of our worry or fear.

As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on His knees before Him, “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good-except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” he declares, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” He said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields-along with persecutions-and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

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There is so much to unpack here that we could spend days looking at it all. What I want to point out, however, is the fact that God’s word says when Jesus looked at the young man it says He loved him. You see, Jesus knee his flaw. He knew where his heart was and yet Jesus still had compassion and love for him. Sometimes we may feel like we don’t measure up…we aren’t good enough. Sometimes we may think it is impossible for God to love someone like me. But remember, nothing is impossible for God…when He looks at you and me He looks with love. Everything He had done and continues to do is based on His love for us. Embrace that truth today.

People were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them and blessed them.

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Unless we receive the Kingdom of God like a little child…to have that sense of wander and awe of who God is. When you marvel at God, you understand the privilege of serving Him. When you are in awe of God…faith is evident. You believe His word in a way that is more real than it is for most. You walk in innocence…not judging others, comparing other, etc. You treat everyone as equal and you’re eager to learn and grow. The difference for many of us? That sense of wander begins to fade. We begin to see all things God through a different lens and in so doing, our faith often takes a hit. Remember who God was to you as a child…love in awe of God and His love for you.

Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to Him, and as was His custom, He taught them.

Some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

“What did Moses command you?” he replied.

They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

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The Pharisees question Jesus on divorce and He doesn’t hold back. He does not sugarcoat it but states His stance on the matter. Are there certain circumstances where divorce is a necessary means to an end? Yes. However, when these circumstances are not present, to divorce is to break the covenant you made before God. The marriage covenant should be taken much more serious than what it is in our world today. What are we teaching one another about loving God and loving others? Hold your covenant of marriage to a high standard…because God does.