Author: Don McGarvey

Passion Week, Day 4

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This day of the Passion Week is not mentioned specifically in the Scriptures. On the charts detailing the Passion Week, it is sometimes referred to as “A Day of Rest.”

It followed a jam packed three days, First, the Triumphal Entry; then the Clearing the Temple; followed by the Confrontation with the Priests and Elders in the Temple.

Jesus and the Disciples probably returned to Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

I believe this was the time when the Olivet Discourse was given (Matthew 24, 25; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44).

The setting would have been atop the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of Jerusalem.

The Olivet Discourse is the final of five teachings given by Jesus and recorded by Matthew. Essentially, it is Jesus’ response to three questions posed by the disciples in Matthew 24:3.

The three questions and their answers are: “When will these things happen?” (answered in Matthew 24:36) “What will be the sign of your coming?” (answered in Matthew 24:30-35) and “What will be the sign of the end of the age?” (answered in Matthew 4:4-29)

Notice that Jesus answered their questions in reverse order.

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus reminds the disciples to not get so caught up in trying to figure everything out that they miss out. He was also wanting the disciples to “be righteous,” rather that simply to “appear righteous.” The Pharisees had done a pretty good job of this. They were so focused on dotting every “i” and crossing every “t” that they forgot to make sure they were taking care of business, watching and always being prepared for these things to happen.

In Matthew 24:36, Jesus tells them that, “No one knows about the day or the hour.” He then proceeds to liken the day of His coming to the times of Noah. It was evil; people were completely disregarding the call to repent; and were eternally lost when the door to the Ark was closed.

I guess the moral of that lesson is to make sure we “don’t miss the boat.” Jesus proceeded to try and help the disciples not to miss the boat.

Jesus tells two parables in Matthew 25. The first (Matthew 25:1-13) is the Parable of “The Ten Virgins.” You remember it from Sunday school. Five were wise, five were foolish. The foolish ran out of oil and ultimately missed the coming of the Bride Groom because they were not prepared.

The second parable (Matthew 25:14-30) is, “The Parable of the Talents.” In this story, Jesus puts the emphasis on each of us using the talents (God given abilities) to accomplish His purposes. I would remind you of Ephesians 2:10 were we are told that not only are we God’s workmanship or His masterpieces, but there are also works established for us to do. And God has given each of us “talents” or “abilities” to accomplish those works. We just need to make sure we do what we we’re supposed to do.

Matthew 25 concludes with a great warning. It’s a teaching about the coming judgment. It’s about “sheep and goats” in Matthew 25:31-46. These words were a warning for those who do not live prepared or for those who choose not to use their talents for God’s purposes. There will be judgment. Christ will separate those who were obedient from those who were disobedient.

Again, the big picture here is to always be ready; always be doing the work of God; and always be looking to God as our source.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Passion Week, Day 3

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On the day following the clearing of the Temple, Jesus returned to the Temple. He started teaching in the Temple Courts. It is apparent from Scripture (Matthew 21:23) that a meeting was going on in another part of the Temple. In this meeting were the chief priests and other leaders of the Temple. When they discovered Jesus, they posed two questions to Him. They asked Him, “By what authority are you doing these things?” “And who gave you this authority?” They knew of no school He attended, nor did they ever give Him instructions about what He taught on.

Here’s what lies behind their question. Based upon rabbinical tradition, those who taught received their authority from one of two places. The first could have been the rabbinical school they attended. There were two. The other source of what they were teaching could be the edicts issued by the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the ruling body of Jews. It was led by the High Priest and consisted of either 23 or 71 Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes. A member of the Sanhedrin was known as an elder. Most elders would have been highly educated rabbis. All recognized teachers of Israel drew their authority from one of these places, their rabbinical school or the Sanhedrin.

Jesus said He would answer their question if they answered His question. Jesus’ question was, “John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven or from men?” According to Scripture, they were afraid to answer His question. (Matthew 21:23-27)

Jesus proceeds to tell three stories or three parables. The first was the “Parable of The Two Sons” found in Matthew 21:28-32.

This was an important use of the word “sons” since the Pharisees considered themselves to be “sons of God” by reason of their descent from Abraham. Jesus was teaching that “sonship” was not based on their lineage but on their obedience to God’s Word.

The underlying issue was the Pharisees were more concerned about appearing to be righteous than being righteous. (Take a moment or two and read through Matthew 23 noting the harsh rebuke of Jesus.)

The second parable is found in Matthew 21:33-41. This parable is called, “The Parable of the Tenants.” It was about an absentee owner of a vineyard who hired some locals to tend to his vineyard. When the owner sent his own servants to collect the profit, they “beat them, stoned them, and killed them.” Every time the owner sent someone, they attacked them. Finally, the owner decided to send his son. He thought “Surely they will respect my son.” But the tenants attacked him and killed him, thinking they would steal the son’s inheritance.

The concluding question was, “What do you think the owner will do to the tenants when he comes.” The answer was, “He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”

This parable was a reminder of how many of the prophets of God and others who had been sent to speak on behalf of God had been killed. And now, God had sent His “One and only Begotten” Son. And they were plotting to kill him as well.

The belief is that Jesus was announcing the Kingdom is now available to the Gentiles since the leaders of the Jews rejected it.

The third parable is found in Matthew 22:1-14. It’s the “Parable of the Wedding Banquet.”

In the culture of the day, when you were invited to a wedding, you would need to give up living your life for at least one or perhaps two weeks. (That’s how long weddings lasted.)  As an invited or chosen guest of the wedding, you would devote your full attention to the festivities, eat the food provided and even wear the clothing which was given to you. Everything you needed to live for the duration of the wedding…think Kingdom with me…was provided for you.

Jesus said the “Kingdom” is like a wedding. He didn’t say it was a wedding but was like one. This meant you gave yourself over to the agenda of the Kingdom. The wedding or the Kingdom is to become primary focal point. Once that happens, everything else will be provided. (Matthew 6:33, 34)

One thing sticks out to me in this parable. In Matthew 22:11-13, the king or the host of the wedding, walked about and noticed someone not wearing “wedding clothes.” This person was quickly removed and thrown into the “darkness.”

I believe Jesus included this in His parable to help us know that being part of the Kingdom would require a total “makeover” and not just maintaining the appearance of being part of the Kingdom.

As we give our lives to God, we will be changed, by His Spirit, from the inside out. It’s always our choice. Do we accept His invitation to be part of the Kingdom or do we continue to live as we see fit?

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Passion Week, Day 2

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Today marks the second day of Passion Week. On the first day, Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. He was proclaiming Himself to be both Messiah and King. In addition, He was presenting Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice to be offered for the forgiveness of sin.

On the second day Jesus returned to Jerusalem and entered the Temple. Once inside, he encountered the marketplace owned by the former High Priest, Annas and run by his sons. It was set up in the Court of the Gentiles which was the only place non-Jews and infirmed could go.

Clearing the Temple: Jesus went through marketplace, overturning the tables where money exchanged, and animals were purchased for sacrifice.

This was the second time Jesus cleared the Temple. There are a few differences in the two times. In the first (John 2:13-25), Jesus fashioned a whip and drove the moneychangers out. The second time (Matthew 21:12-13), it would appear He did not use a whip but overturned the tables and benches that held many of the animals.

There is one major difference, in my mind. During the first clearing, Jesus referred to the Temple as “my Father’s house.” But the second time, Jesus referred to it as “My house.” Why the difference? The day before, Jesus presented Himself as the Messiah, the King of the Jews. It was time for Him to be revealed as God.

The Marketplace: The vendors of the marketplace weren’t wrong. What they did with the money and where they put it, made it wrong. Travelers were required to purchase animals for their sacrifice. They probably would need to exchange their money for Roman money, but since Roman money was not permissible for Jews to have, the presence of Roman money in the Temple was sacrilegious. Scholars believe the former High Priest Annas and his sons owned and operated the marketplace that was functioning in the Temple. Most believe there was price gouging happening. After all, there were close to two million people visiting Jerusalem for the Passover and they would all need some Roman money plus they would all need to purchase animals for their sacrifices. Prices went up. Fees for changing money increased. This all happened in what was known as the Court of Gentiles.

Warren Wiersbe wrote, “The Temple Court was being used for mercenary means rather than missionary business.”

The Court of Gentiles: The most grievous part of this event is that the Court of Gentiles was the only place were non-Jews or those who were blind, lame or otherwise unfit for the Temple could come. But there was no room for them. Based on what happens in Matthew 21:14, I would assume the lack of ministry to these folks was as much of a heartache for Jesus as the lack of integrity of the merchants.

Once Jesus had cleared the area, Matthew 21:14 makes it sound as if the blind and lame immediately appeared. (Matthew 21:14 “The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.”)

Here’s my take-a-way: Once we get our lives cleaned up, once we get our ministries cleaned up and start doing business like we are supposed to do business, we are going to see ministry start to happen like never before.

As fast as the Court of the Gentiles filled up with the blind and lame, I must assume they were all standing nearby just waiting for a chance to be ministered to. I believe the same is still true. There are many folks who are “blind” and “lame” out there, just waiting for someone to come along and help them see and walk a new path.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Passion Week Day 1

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There are two events from Jesus’ life recorded in all four Gospels. The first the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:335-44; Luke 9:10-17; john 6:1-14) The second is the Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19)

In feeding the multitude, Jesus found a creative way to remind us of His sufficiency. In the Triumphal Entry, Jesus reminds us He is our Messiah, Coming King, and our once and for all sacrifice for our sin.

In this second event, the Triumphal Entry, Jesus is presenting Himself as the Messiah; as the King of the Jews; and as the “once and for all” paschal lamb.

Prior to this, He wouldn’t allow anyone, including demons, to announce who He was. But now, it was time.

Jerusalem was overflowing with visitors from around the world in preparation for the Passover celebration. Plus, I’m sure the city was buzzing with the news of Lazarus’ resurrection and this formerly blind guy, Bartimaeus, who would have, no doubt in my mind, been running around town telling how “Jesus, the Son of David” had mercy on him and healed him of blindness. (You can read about Lazarus in John 11 and you can read about Bartimaeus in March 11:46-52.)

Everyone wanted to see this miracle worker. Could He be the Messiah?  Could He be the source of everything they had dreamed of? Could He be the answer to all their problems and questions? Could He be the one to set them free? Could He be coming to establish His Kingdom?

As Jesus entered the city, riding on the back of a previously unridden colt, the foal of a donkey, the folks lined the parade route, shouting “Hosanna” which when translated means, “Save us or save now.” It was a cry for deliverance, much like Israel cried out to God while they were enslaved in Egypt. They waved palm branches, which was a sign of national pride and victory. Could it be that Jesus was the King, their deliverer who was to come and overthrow the Romans and establish a new Kingdom?

Scriptures don’t tell us what the Romans thought of all this. It wouldn’t have been the first time someone tried to overthrow them during the Passover. Passover was a celebration of freedom from bondage, dating all the way back to Egypt. But they weren’t impressed. This newly proclaimed king came riding on a humble donkey instead of a war horse. And instead of heavily armed soldiers marching with Him, He was being followed by Galilean fishermen.

I believe there were three responses to Jesus on this day. The Romans ignored Him; the Jews embraced Him, at least for now; and the Pharisees wanted Him out of the way. He was challenging their long-standing “standard of normal.”

I see these same responses today. Some ignore Him, some try to push Him out of their minds, while some embrace Him.

What will be your response? Will you invite Him to establish a new normal? Or will you ignore Him?

Always in Pursuit!

Don

A Divine Disruption!

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Sermon Notes for April 5, 2020

Bible Reading: Psalm 116:9-

Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19

Three Reasons for Jesus to do this:

#1—He was announcing Himself as the Messiah and the King of the Jews

          Daniel 9:25

         Zechariah 9:9

#2—Jesus was challenging the religious leaders

          Hosanna—Psalm 118:25-26

Throwing their cloaks along the road for the donkey to walk on—

2 Kings 9:13

#3—Jesus was offering Himself as the Passover Lamb—

Hebrews 7:27

Passion Week

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Someone ask me a long time ago, “What are you passionate about?” I had to think about it for awhile. Eventually I wrote out nine things that I was passionate about.

As I looked at my list, I ask myself the question, what it was that made me passionate about these nine things?

First, they were things I loved. Like being a husband and a father.

Second, they were things I was intentional about. I deliberately set devoted time to these nine things.

Third, I did everything I could to become more proficient in these nine things. I wanted to be the best that I could possibly be.

Fourth, I devoted very little time to anything that wasn’t on my list of nine things. While I didn’t ignore other things or those who were passionate about things I wasn’t passionate about, I knew to be what God wanted me to be, I had to focus on these nine things.

I believe Jesus demonstrated these same values about what He was passionate about.

Sunday, Palm Sunday, begins what is traditionally referred to as Passion Week. Palm Sunday is the celebration of Jesus presenting Himself as the Messiah, the King of the Jews and as the once-for-all Paschal Lamb. The path into Jerusalem was packed with Jews, Romans and Greeks. Most them wildly cheering for Him. Loudly proclaiming Him to be their Messiah and their King.

Each day of Passion Week, I will be sharing about the recorded events of the day. There are many lessons for us to learn. But most of all, I want you to see how passionate Jesus was for each of us. He was intentional about returning to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). He submitted Himself to the will of the Father rather than call angels to deliver Him.

It’s a great love story, this week of passion. He’s a great Savior who willingly gave His life for us so that we may live our lives in a way that goes beyond anything we can imagine.

Hope you will join me.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

He’s Willing!

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He’s Willing!

Another one of my favorite accounts from the Life of Christ comes from Matthew 8:1-3.

Right after Jesus preached the “Sermon on the Mount” he came down from the mountain and was met by a leper. This must have been quite a site.

There was a large crowd listening to Jesus teach and I’m sure they would have all been milling around trying to get closer or get that one on one time with the Teacher. But if we could step back and watch this scene unfold, we would notice people scattering. As we begin to search for why they were scattering we might have heard a voice crying out, “Unclean, unclean!”  A leper was approaching. Bloodied, heavily bandaged, missing fingers and toes, dirty and dusty headed straight for the Teacher.

I can picture everyone around Jesus scattering. Some would have been screaming warnings of “UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN!” Others would have reached for a rock to throw. Jesus never moved. He didn’t reach for His pouch of rocks to thwart the lepers form coming too close as some Rabbis were in the practice of doing. He just stood there, watching the leper move closer and closer.

As the leper neared Christ, he knelt. It was an act of humility and worship. The screams and scattering of people didn’t matter. As he is kneeling, he says to Jesus, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Then Jesus did the unthinkable.

He reached out his hand and touched the leper. My guess would be that was the first time another human being had touched this man since he was diagnosed as a leper. But Jesus wasn’t afraid. Note the words with me that came from Jesus’ mouth and heart. “I am willing! Be clean!”

Matthew records my favorite part in the final sentence of verse 3, “immediately he was cured.”

As you probably know, lepers were outcasts. They couldn’t even live with their families. They had to live outside of town with the other outcasts. They were shunned. They had to warn folks they were coming by announcing they were “unclean.” Of course I’m sure the volume of their announcement was nothing compared to the shrieks and screams of others who helped announce their presence.

Have you ever felt like an outcast? Have you ever felt as if you were “unclean” or worse yet that others considered you to be unclean and treated you as if you were.

The leper had great faith in Jesus. We should too! He came, bowed and worshipped. We should too. He confessed his faith in Jesus by saying, “If you are willing you can make me clean.”  We should too.

Jesus will respond the same way to you as he did to the leper. He will touch you and He will make you clean because He’s willing.

In yesterday’s post we learned that Jesus had come to help! Now we learn He is willing to help no matter the circumstance.

What do you need Him to do for you today? He’s come to help and He’s willing. Will you bow and worship before Him! He will touch you!

Always in Pursuit!

Dad Joke #5: Why is corn such a good listener? Because it’s all ears.

God Has Come to Help!

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Help wanted stock vector. Illustration of disaster, help - 31368648

God Has Come to Help!

One of my all time favorite accounts of Jesus’ life is when he traveled to a town called Nain. You can read about it in Luke 7:11-16. Just outside of town Jesus encountered a funeral procession. Luke gives us some details that help us understand how dire the circumstances were that surrounded this particular death.

The person who died was the only son of a widow. Those words tell us a lot. As a widow, she not only lost the companionship of her husband. She also lost the source of provision and security when her husband died. She was fortunate to have a son. At the death of her husband the son would have become responsible for providing and caring for his mother but now he has died too.

This woman not only was grieving the loss of the two most intimate relationships in her life but she was mourning the loss of provision and security. She officially had no one to turn to. But here comes Jesus.

I love verse 13 of Luke 7. It says, “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her…..” If you read the verses or know the story you know that he reached up and touched the coffin and said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” And you know the rest of the story.

That part of the story is exciting. I can only imagine the joy in her heart as she sees her son rise from the dead. Once again, she had hope. Once again, she had security. Once again, she had someone to watch over her.

My favorite part of the story is found in the final sentence of verse 16. It says, “God has come to help his people.”

What a great statement! God has come to help his people. If there has ever been a time when God’s people needed His help, it’s today. Be assured, God has come to help.

Always in Pursuit!

Dad Joke #4: Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself? Because it was two tired.

A New Normal

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As you know, I’ve been thinking a lot about what normal might look like once this crisis is past. I’m not sure I know what it will look like but I’m thinking and encouraging others in our church to join with me.

Pastor Mark Batterson has sparked some thoughts. A few years ago, I heard him say to a group of pastors, “There are ways to do church that we haven’t dreamed of yet.” (Batterson has become well known for making this statement.)

I believe him. Just thinking about it charges my battery. But for some of us, we are going to have to unlearn a few things.

The church as we know it may never be fully back together like it used to be. At our church, I’m certain we will continue to offer live broadcasts of our services, whether it’s on Facebook or some other medium that has yet to be put into use. (It’s out there, waiting for us to discover it and put it to use to help build the Kingdom.) We will continue to use our YouTube channel and will continue to use other methods to stay connected with those who choose not to join us in person.

First though, some of us may have to “unlearn” a few things. We may never see a “full house” again on Sunday mornings. Thanks to social distancing. Sunday mornings may no longer be “the time” for the church to gather since we are now gathering by technology.

Batterson cited the man in John 5 who had been sick for 38 years. He was waiting for someone to come along and push him in the water when it had been stirred but he had no one to help him. At least till Jesus came by. Jesus challenged his thinking. Jesus offered another way for him to be healed. He didn’t even have to get wet nor did he need additional help. Jesus simply told him to get up! You can read the whole story in John 5:1-15. (When you read it, you will discover this new way of healing also was met with opposition. But that’s for another post.)

The crisis has challenged what we know. It’s causing many of us to unlearn how we did church and to look for new ways to get the word out; to stay connected with one another; to help facilitate spiritual growth; and to encourage continued finances.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Dad joke #3: Which animal in the Ark did Noah not trust?   The Cheetah.

Are you listening?

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This past Sunday I spoke from Romans 8:28 and brought Part I of a teaching called, “That’s Good!” The second part will be coming on April 19, 2020, the Sunday after Easter.

I’ve really been thinking about what good God will bring out of this. I’m pretty sure there are things that I can’t even imagine at this time but in the meantime, there might be a couple of things that I can see.

First, most of us are dealing with more time on our hands than normal. This frees us to do things around the house that we had been putting off. It frees us to read those books and magazines that we’ve stacked up. It also frees us to pray more and to read the Bible more.

Second, for many of us, this has been a time to slow down (okay, more than most of us wanted.)

Third, and I think one of the greatest things to happen is that more people are hearing the Gospel through all the on-line church services than ever before.

May I offer a suggestion for your prayer times?

Praying is more than talking to God. Praying also involves listening to Him. So, in your times of prayer, stop and simply ask God if there is something He’d like to say to you. Then listen. Just sit and allow God, by His Spirit, to speak to your spirit.

I don’t believe God will thunder His answer. It might simply be an idea; it might be a thought or two; it might be a picture that He wants to show you that will open a whole new realm.

Several years ago, I listened to someone share how God had been speaking to him in dreams. Someone asked him why he thought God was speaking in this manner. His explanation for why God was doing this was that since he was asleep and being still, God could finally get a word in.

One other suggestion I would offer is in these quiet times, make sure you have a notebook and something to write with. This will help you remember what it is that God wants you to know. It also might be a good time and place for you to write out some action steps about what God spoke.

Here’s a great question for you to consider: “What do you think would happen if we listened to God like we think He ought to listen to us?”

He’s speaking. That’s not the question. The question is, “Are we listening/obeying?” Listening and obeying are the same thing.

Always in Pursuit!

Don

Dad Joke #2: CASHIER: “Would you like the milk in a bag, sir?” DAD: “No, just leave it in the carton!’”