Simply Jesus

By guest blogger Bev Seale

Mark 11 & 12

About eighteen Years ago, along with a group of people mainly from my old church in London, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the 'Holy Land'. It was my childhood dream to see the place where Jesus was born and to see if the places were as I imagined, as I listened to the Bible stories in Sunday School.

I have to say, as we traveled around the City,I thought about how hard it must have been for my saviour as he walked those cobbled stones, sandaled feet, in the scorching heat, my tears flowed as I realize he did it all for me.

Jesus' journey to the cross began with a triumphant entry to Jerusalem, the bible says there were large crowds who shouted in loud voices 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord' (Mark 11 v 9), and the events that followed would bring him closer and closer to his death, interestingly although, during much of his ministry Jesus tried to hush up the news about his miraculous power and his identity as the true messiah, but it was clear from the welcome he received on entry to Jerusalem that he was recognized and accepted by many as the Messiah. But acceptance of him was short lived as the story unfolds.

Driving out the money changers and the animal sellers brought Jesus into sharp conflict with Leaders of the day, so much so that they plotted to kill him.(11.v 18). When I think of the death of Jesus, he willingly gave up his life so that I could live and if I was the only person in the whole world he still would have done it for me, I am lost for words.

When I first read the story of the fig tree, I had many questions, he was hungry, he had the power to make the tree produce fruits, but he didn't, and my personal belief is, even though he only had a few days before his death he was still finding ways to teach his disciples about faith and the power of prayer. I love the way the Message puts it;

"Embrace this God-Life, really embrace it, and nothing will be to much for you, this mountain for instance, just say, "Go Jump in the Lake", no shuffling or shilly-shalling and it is as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, include everything as you embrace this God-Life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember its not all asking".

I am so glad that I don' have to cross all the t's and dot all the i's before I can embrace this God-Life, He accepts and love me just because. Like the widow in chap.12 vs. 41-44 Give your all to God, He is not interested in your wealth, abilities, your position, it does not matter whether man recognizes you or not, it really only matters what God thinks about you, he will exalt you, he loves you and is passionate about your well being.

Father I thank you that you know me by name, you are interested in every detail of my life, this knowledge takes my breath away.

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you, take your everyday, ordinary life, your sleeping, eating,going-to-work and walking- around life and place it before God as an offering, embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him" ( Rom:12 Mes).