Faithful on Fridays Blog

Matt. 25:14-30

Jesus told this long story, Parable of the Talents, focusing on the crucial work of the Kingdom of God. It’s like a master giving out talents or a lot of his money to servants, leaving, and expecting gain when he returns. There’s diversity in the gifts and yet each had expectation from the master whether it was 5, 2, or just 1 talent. The fascinating phrase ‘according to his ability’ is our first clue to the meaning. Ability is dunamis or working power; it means those talents would work for them if they invested for the master. 

The first two servants strategically invested their master’s money and doubled the return by ‘trading’; that Greek word is ergon which means to work, labor, or be productive: it’s ergonomics. We don’t know how the money worked, but the master was pleased calling them good and faithful servants with more authority in their future. The largest amount was doubled, but so was the second; not so for the third servant since he buried his only talent, gained nothing, and gave excuses for his behavior. The master called him wicked and lazy with a caveat,

For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Matthew 25:29 

Where’s the upper story? Jesus is the Master who ascended into heaven (Acts 1:1-11) giving the Spirit’s gifts (talents) to be His witnesses in the world. Every believer receives a variety of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-11), some more, some less, but everyone has some Spirit-given ability (dunamis) to work (ergon) in God’s Kingdom.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, Ephesians 3:20 

Jesus encouraged us,

“We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.”

John 9:4 

The point of this end time parable is clear: Jesus is looking for faithfulness in His servants. When we use the gifts He’s put in us, working for the Kingdom, He greets us with the promise of joy in this life. Regardless of your amount of talent His expectation is multiplication; invest in the Kingdom according to your spiritual ability. He holds us responsible, so why not find a place to invest? Feeding and clothing the poor, encouraging and praying for the sick, speaking words of life to the discouraged, missions, volunteer or give financial support to ministries who do Kingdom work. You have the power to invest now, better get to work and enter into His joy.

Finding Jesus’ Spiritual Identity

Mark 7&8

Mark spilled a lot of ink explaining Jesus’ attitude toward the lower story of tradition and the upper story of the heart (vs. 1-23). His point is clear; sin begins in the heart. Our church traditions are fine if they reflect the heart: that’s a big ‘if’. Jesus continuously reminds us that He’s all about our heart, that our lower stories are not what’s important but our upper story. Why do we do what we do?

In case we’re not clear on sin He gave examples. They all begin in our inner man: our thoughts, considerations, and finally our actions.

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:14-15 NLT

Take a look at His examples in Mark 7: 21-22; if you’re honest you’ll see yourself in several and hopefully repent.

Mark closed out this chapter with two beautiful healings, one spiritual and one physical; read them for yourself and sense His love for people, His spiritual identity.

After feeding thousands of people for the second time (Chapter 8) Jesus was clearly frustrated by the disciple’s inability to understand the upper story. He connected a hardened heart with remembering His supernatural power. The feedings were lower stories, the upper story is the command for us to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28). He’s our God of Reproduction and Multiplication, sometimes of material things but more importantly, spiritual matters. 

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 

What are we reproducing in our lives? What’s been multiplied? Are you satisfied? Good questions to ponder.

Jesus showed that healing can be progressive, over time (8: 22-26), however, He didn’t hesitate to give another upper story about our focus. Peter answered Jesus’ question about His identity correctly (vs. 29) but slipped back into the lower story by refusing to believe that He’ll suffer, die, and rise again. Isn’t that just like us?

We see God move supernaturally in our lives one day and the next we’re complaining about our life circumstances. Keeping our mind focused on God means we remember what He’s done in the past and His ability to move in our present. Jesus’ spiritual identity caused Him to warn us about our minds; what do we think about the most? A true follower, He explained, examines their priorities in life and makes necessary changes (vs. 34-37).

Mark completed this chapter with that wonderful declaration of His Return:

… when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

The Second Coming is true; you can take that to the bank!

Matt. 25:1-13

Last week we discussed Jesus’ focus on being ready for His return at an unexpected hour; this week only Matthew records the parable of the ‘how to’. It’s called the parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (or virgins).

During this weeklong wedding celebration the bridegroom comes stealthily to whisk away his bride bringing her to their new home. It’s the pinnacle of the week, very romantic, when he joyfully kidnaps her during the night. 

She chose bridesmaids to wait with her and apparently they fell asleep as their oil lamps burned. The kicker of this dramatic story records five of them were considered foolish, they didn’t plan well, consequently, the oil supply depleted before the groom arrived. The five wise girls had just enough to light the way for the groom and couldn’t share any. 

The midnight cry, “Come out and meet the bridegroom” was answered by those who were ready and allowed in to the marriage feast as the door was shut and locked. Much later the foolish girls said, “Lord, lord open to us.” His tragic answer was, “I don’t know you.”

This end time parable begs the question, “Are you foolish or wise in your expectation of the Lord’s return?” Is the invisible oil lamp in your heart filled with Him? Oil is a word-picture of the Holy Spirit who fills you when you come know Jesus. You can’t borrow it, you’re not born into it, you don’t get it in church or doing good deeds; you receive the infilling of the Spirit as you spend time with God.

Zechariah, Elizabeth and their son John (the Baptist) experienced it, Mary and her Son Jesus experienced it (Luke 1 and 10), those present at the first Pentecost as well,

And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts of the Apostles 2:4 

Those at a prayer meeting (Acts 4:31), the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:17, 13:9) and other believers (Acts 13:52) were filled and now we’re included. Being filled with the Spirit is how you stay ready for His Return.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 

This end time parable reminds us how crucial it is for oil lamps to be daily filled to stay burning; so does our spirit. 

… be filled with the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 5:18b

That verb means to be repeatedly filled as a habit or process; it’s a long term commitment and actually written as a command by Paul. This parable isn’t a threat, but an encouragement to stay filled with Him. Make your relationship with God a priority in your morning, pray and read His Word, then you’ll hear Him call your name because you’re ready and He knows you.

Dear Readers, I mistakenly just posted last week’s archive again and I’m sorry for the confusion. This is the correct one for today.

Finding Jesus’ Spiritual Identity

Mark 5&6

Wherever Jesus ministered there was opposition, we’ve seen it from the beginning as the demonic realm stirred up and exposed. Today we find a schizophrenic with piercing screams possessed by a legion of demonic spirits. After crying out Jesus’ true identity, “Jesus, Son of the Most High God …” they received permission after begging for it, to enter into pigs instead of being thrown out of the country: Jesus complied. Using the name Jesus means they recognized Him as rescuer, savior, or deliverer and also Son of the Highest. Satan and his cohorts can only accomplish what is permitted by God or for that matter, by you. Put yourself in the place of temptation and sin and he’ll win, but throw him out of your life, stand in the Spirit’s power and authority, and you’ll be triumphant. 

… and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might … Ephesians 1:19

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 

As our flyover continues Jesus is confronted by death: a dying little girl and a dying woman. Interestingly, Jesus chose to heal the woman immediately but makes the girl wait. In our life we’d prefer the suddenly, however, sometimes He makes us see the value of waiting. 

In Chapter Six the wisdom of God is recognized in Jesus but it caused offense. The people became indignant at the miracles they saw Him perform; they had real trust-issues. However, it didn’t deter Jesus from dispersing assignments, with His power and authority, to those who would believe. That describes the Church today: His power and authority to help people. Have you found your niche in the Church, the place where your gifts can operate for the benefit of others?

The new ministry of the apostles must’ve been exciting, but there was more to come. The wisdom of God, knowing what to do at the right time, was making a breakthrough: a miraculous feeding and walking on water. 

Don’t stay in the lower story here, there’s hope for His miraculous power in your life as well … as long as your heart isn’t hardened (vs 52).

As we search for Jesus’ spiritual identity what do we find?

1. His spiritual authority was intensified.
2. He taught the value of ‘suddenly’ and ‘waiting’.
3. Jesus prepared His future leaders.

You are part of His future leaders with all the authority and power you need right now. His wisdom is in you to know what to do and when to do it. Step out and take a risk.

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11 

Finding Jesus’ Spiritual Identity

Mark 3&4

As we maintain our cruising altitude over the gospel of Mark we find Jesus drawn back to the synagogue to minister to His people with the enemy closing in. The religious leaders, driven by Satan, are watching and waiting for an opportunity to destroy Him and cut Him off (3:6). Isn’t that just like the devil in our lives? He watches and waits until we put ourselves in a place of temptation and seizes the moment.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:10 

Jesus, knowing their hearts, needed to expose legalism; they cared more about rules than people. Jesus got angry, was passionately against their sin, and yet He grieved for them. His deep emotional pain brought such sorrow to His heart; they had become callous, hard-hearted toward the very people of their ministry.

Satan is quite active in Jesus’ ministry and His demons must tell the truth about Him (3:11): “You are the Son of God.” Now, that’s authority. 

Jesus carefully chose His followers who watched and learned the ways of God from Him and sent them out to preach with His authority, hmmmmm, sounds like His followers today.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:18-19 

His family even tried to do an intervention (3:20); that’s funny because He’s the Son of God. They thought He was crazy (that’s the Greek word!) and the religious leaders joined in, consequently adding demon possession to their charge. Jesus closed out Chapter Three by telling us whoever does the will of God is His family.

Going into teaching mode in Chapter Four, the Lord shows us the simple, yet profound, technique of telling stories or parables. Understanding the lower story of a parable is the springboard to understanding the upper story or the spiritual significance for us; Jesus gave the explanation (4:13-20) to us and we use that as a grid for all of His parables.

Lastly, the disciples questioned Him during a storm (4:38) that sometimes arises in our hearts during a spiritual storm as well. “Don’t you care?” Jesus didn’t pray here; He used His God-authority to verbally warn the natural elements to calm down. Holy awe filled everyone.

What are some facets of Jesus’ Spiritual Identity from these chapters?

1. He’s persistent; He returned to His people.
2. He got angry at sin but grieved over hard hearts.
3. He wasn’t intimidated by His enemies.
4. Jesus had family issues too.
5. He was relevant as He taught simple truths.
6. Jesus demonstrated supernatural power over creation.

Let’s look again at Jesus and see where we have become like Him: spiritual identity.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

Matt. 24:32-36; Mark 13:28-32; Luke 21:29-33

When Jesus taught on the Mount of Olives He wasn’t trying to be vague or confusing, but clear and concise, therefore He gave illustrations making His point. “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.” That was the lesson of the day (Luke 21:29). Observe the order of tree growth: branches produce leaves (spring), during summer the flowers appear, and by fall the fruit is ready for picking. A plain and simple order of life. That’s the lower story, apparently there’s an end times connection since it’s sandwiched within His end times teaching. Why is this lesson so important that He saved it for the end of His life?

Our Lord made the connection for us: “… in the same way when you see all these things you know that summer is near (Matt. 24:33).”

What things? Ahhhh, there’s the kicker. You have to go back to the beginning of His end times teaching to find the answer. Backing up in any of the three gospel accounts we find Jesus’ list of events to watch for whether they be in the near future, far future, or far, far future: it’s called the prophetic telescope.    

“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3b 

Like birth pains, Jesus continued, various occurrences will happen slowly and increase in frequency and intensity; we should be awake and ready. The Temple will be torn down (about 40 years later by the Romans), that’s near future. Times of great tribulation is coming: famines, earthquakes, diseases, and terrorism. ‘These things’ must take place so we should be ready. Some of those things were personal to them and they experienced persecution, some will be for the Jewish nation (70AD until 1948), some will occur in the far future (like global terrorism), and finally, some things happen at His Second Coming. 

Watch the sky for signs, He prophesied, even the roaring of the seas (tsunamis or hurricanes), the sun, moon, and stars will become dark until that final sign when the Son of Man will appear in the sky with great power and glory. The trumpet blast opens the heavens, the angels gather the chosen from around the globe (dead or alive), and as Paul said, “we meet Him in the air.” (1 Thes. 4:13-18). Oh, what a powerful and glorious day that will be. 

Jesus went on to explain that we must stay awake by watching what’s happening globally, be ready with strong faith, and refuse to be weighed down by the cares of this life. 

Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your Redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:28 

Your redemption is Jesus Christ, He’s returning for you, and the time of ‘these things’ is getting closer as if the fruit of the tree is ready for picking. 

Encourage your family with these words. 

Finding Jesus’ Spiritual Identity

Mark 3&4

As we maintain our cruising altitude over the gospel of Mark we find Jesus drawn back to the synagogue, to minister to His people, with the enemy closing in. The religious leaders, driven by Satan, are watching and waiting for an opportunity to destroy Him; to cut Him off (vs. 6). Isn’t that just like the devil in our lives? He watches and waits until we put ourselves in a place of temptation and seizes the moment.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 

Jesus, knowing their hearts, needed to expose legalism; they cared more about rules than people. Jesus got angry, He was passionately against their sin, and yet He grieved for them. His deep emotional pain brought such sorrow to His heart; they had become callous, hard-hearted toward the very people of their ministry.

Satan is quite active in Jesus’ ministry and His demons must tell the truth about Him (vs. 11): “You are the Son of God.” Now, that’s authority. 

Jesus carefully chose His followers who watched and learned the ways of God from Him and sent them out to preach with His authority, hmmmmm, sounds like His followers today.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:18-19 

Jesus’ family tried to do an intervention (vs. 20); that’s funny because He’s the Son of God. They thought He was crazy (that’s the Greek word!) and the religious leaders joined in but added demon possession to the charge. Jesus closed out Chapter Three by telling us whoever does the will of God is His family.

Jesus goes into teaching mode in Chapter Four and shows us the simple yet profound technique of telling stories or parables. Understanding the lower story of a parable is the springboard to understanding the upper story or the spiritual significance for us; Jesus even gave the explanation (4:13-20) and we use that as a grid for all of His parables.

Lastly, the disciples asked Him a question (vs. 38) that sometimes arises in our hearts as well. “Don’t you care?” Jesus didn’t pray here; He used His God-authority to verbally warn the natural elements (wind and water) to calm down. Holy awe filled everyone.

What are some facets of Jesus’ Spiritual Identity from these chapters?

1. He’s persistent; He returned to His people.
2. He got angry at sin but grieved over hard hearts.
3. He wasn’t intimidated by His enemies.
4. Jesus had family issues too.
5. He was relevant as He taught simple truths.
6. Jesus demonstrated power over creation; He’s God of the supernatural.

Let’s again look at Jesus and see where we have become like Him.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

As Jesus continued storytelling He focused again on a king and his kingdom. He’d already hammered the religious leaders with the previous indictment, but now He has more to say. His followers needed to reminded of some things before He exited so let’s hear the story paraphrased (Matt. 22:1-14).

This is what the kingdom of heaven (or eternal life) looks like, Jesus began. A king gave a wedding banquet for his son sending out invitations via his servants, however, amidst many excuses they were rejected, persecuted, and eventually killed. The king then extended the invitations to anyone who’d attend regardless of their social standing. However, when he looked over the guests there was someone present without the required wedding garment, therefore, he was thrown out: that’s the lower story. Ending this teaching parable Jesus closed with these words,

For many are called, but few are chosen.

Let’s look at the upper story or why this teaches us about eternal life or kingdom living and why Jesus included it during His last week. 

Throughout the Bible we find those God personally chose: Abraham, Moses, David, Paul, the Jews, even Jesus. He can do that … He’s God. In the parable the religious leaders are the ones who refused the calling or invitation, consequently, Jesus continued to invite anyone into that general calling. For God so loved the whole world … and yet, as the story teaches, a wedding garment was required to attend the banquet. We call that the effective calling; those clothed with a garment of righteousness, holiness, and purity. You only receive that invisible, spiritual garment when you’ve repented and believe in Christ. 

I know the ones I have chosen. John 13:18b

And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. Rom. 8:28

God doesn’t delight in people who refuse the general call, He desires them to respond because He’s good, however, He’s also just. We’re not created to be His puppets, however, we must accept His invitation with humility knowing He’s the initiator. If you’ve done that … you’re His chosen.

You didn’t choose Me. I chose you. John 15:16a

This end time parable is a wake-up call for us to send out God’s invitation or calling to those within our sphere of influence (words), but also to represent Him by our works before His return. 

Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. Revelation 19:7-8 

Worldwide persecution of believers is a fact, will undoubtedly increase, therefore, we must be ready to stand strong. 

But for the sake of His chosen ones He has shortened those days. Mark 13:20b

… (angels) will gather His chosen ones from all over the world —from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. Matt. 24:31b

Finding Jesus’ Spiritual Identity

Mark 1&2

The cruising altitude of an airplane is around 35,000 feet; it climbs and maintains that height as it travels to it’s destination. That’s what we’re going to do as we journey through the Book of Mark recognizing distinct features of Jesus’ character: His spiritual identity. He’s like a diamond with many facets that glisten in every chapter, therefore, I’m hoping to lure you into reading this book alongside me. My vantage point will give you the ‘big picture’, consequently, it’s your job to read for detail.

Peter undoubtedly dictated his eyewitness account to Mark, so this is Peter’s story that moves quickly (watch for the word immediately) yet beautifully describes Jesus’ ministry.

First of all, Peter leaves out the Christmas Story and begins at the beginning: Jesus is the Son of God. That’s a vital point since Jesus’ ministry as ‘God made flesh’ gave  Him authority and power to finish His Father’s assignment.

And a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.” 

Mark 1:11 

Secondly, Jesus experienced temptations in His wilderness time on earth (1:12) but received help and encouragement from angels. We have something greater than angels; we have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us to help when we’re tempted to sin.

For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. 

Hebrews 2:18

Jesus’ ministry (1:21-34) was centered on teaching Kingdom Living, preaching or encouragement, spiritual deliverance, and physical healing, apparently it was different from anything the people had seen before. He had authority: He’s the Son of God and He hasn’t changed.

Next, as you read you’ll find Him moved with love and compassion to the pinnacle of forgiving our sin. It was His purpose, the reason He left His Father’s side in heaven; He’s all about sinners and new life (2:10, 17, 22).

Lastly, at the end of Chapter Two Jesus cared more about relationships than He did about obeying rules. He knows we all have that ‘tug of war’ inside us that thinks God will love us more if we obey His commandments. The truth Peter wants us to recognize is that when we repent and receive His forgiveness we are driven to please Him. We obey His rules because we love Him and know that His ways are always better.

From my cruising altitude vantage point I located these seven facets of Jesus’ spiritual identity for you to investigate on your own.

1. He’s the Son of God, loved by the Father.
2. He experienced temptations.
3. His ministry was teaching, preaching, delivering, and healing.
4. He was moved into action by compassion.
5. He has authority.
6. He came for sinners.
7. He cares more about relationships than rules.

Compare your own spiritual identity in Christ with these aspects and I think you’ll find some similarities. Maybe that’s why John said,

“ … as He is so also are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17

Matt. 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-20

As Jesus prepared for His exodus from our world He told the people more stories to solidify His last points. “Picture this …” He said, and so we must. A landowner sent servants to tenants in order to collect the fruit from his vineyard; their responsibility was to produce a good crop. Those tenants not only refused, but shamefully treated the servants and even killed the last one, the beloved son. The landowner is definitely returning and Jesus’ ending for the religious leaders is a quote from Psalm 118:22-23 saying, in essence, ‘the stone is rejected, but will be the ‘cornerstone’; God will do this marvelous thing. Those leaders were fuming since they knew Jesus was talking about them so they sent spies to catch Him in His words leading to His arrest. As with any parable, that’s the lower story. It’s the focus of many, but it really doesn’t help us as believers preparing for His return. Let’s check out the upper story.

We know that Jesus is the Cornerstone or Head of the Church, but He says something fascinating,

… the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you (religious leaders) and given to people producing its fruits. Anyone who falls on this Stone will be broken, and when it falls on anyone it’ll crush him. Matt. 21:43-44

Now we’re getting somewhere. As we prepare our lives, influencing our families, churches, and neighbors we must fall at Jesus’ feet in repentance allowing Him to break us. If we don’t, when He returns on Judgment Day, it’ll fall and crush us. Sobering, I know, but the Lord is clear: repentance and faith are our first fruits. 

There are remarkable passages in Scripture that discuss the upper story of fruit; allow me to summarize. A spiritually healthy person bears good spiritual fruit (Matt. 7:15-20), a branch (you) that remains on the vine (Jesus) bears abundant fruit (John 15:1-5), you’ve been set free from sin and your fruit is a life that’s set apart for God (Rom. 6:20-22). Spiritual fruit increases your credit with God (Phil. 4:17), good works are good fruit, and character that’s fruitful is filled with virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, and loving people (2 Peter 1:5-10). Peter went on to say … that’s the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (vs. 11). 

James succinctly wrote that pure, spiritual wisdom is gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, impartial, sincere, and peace-filled; that’s a harvest of the fruit of righteousness in Christ (James 3:17-18). 

The kicker of Jesus’ parable for us is being aware of developing fruit in our lives due to our vital union with Him. That’s where it all begins. Spend quality time with God and experience the fruit of intimacy:

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23a-b