HOSANNA
Suggested Reading: Mark 11
(click scripture link to read online)
These steps at the southern entrance of the Temple Mount once led into the Court of the Gentiles. You can still see the Triple Gate archways that were bricked over. These main gates to the temple were called the Hulda Gates. An impressive staircase was added to enable the thousands of pilgrims to walk into the temple.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, Click HERE.
Key Verse: Mark 11:26
…But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.
In the first 10 verses, Jesus meticulously fulfills prophecy (Zechariah 9:9 & Psalm 118:26). He then follows up by communicating His authority over nature, the fig tree, and over the activities surrounding the worship of God in the Temple. Mark concludes this chapter by quoting the religious leaders saying, “We do not know” (verse 33). Their biggest concern seemed to be the politics of the day. The core message of this passage concerns FORGIVENESS. This has eternal importance for each of us. Unforgiveness blocks the forgiveness we all need from God. Jesus warns us in a most forceful way. This is one truth that we MUST RECEIVE and ACT UPON TODAY! (How about every day?)
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus I ask for grace to forgive others and the grace to accept the forgiveness offered to me by others. Having done this I am confident that as I ask for Your forgiveness for my sins against You, Lord God, You forgive me. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I can’t help but refer again to my minister Dad. He described the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, and often today also, with this couplet: “They wobble in and wobble out, and leave the people all in doubt.” The “we do not know” answer to a question about the great prophet John the Baptist is not acceptable. Immediately after our marriage 54 years ago, Norma-Jean and I accepted the call to pastor a congregation in Brighton, Ontario. We had lots of sports for our youth, and it came to my ears that a neighbouring pastor had called our Church, “The Brighton Sports Centre.” I was hurt by this and to my shame I nursed a grudge until the Holy Spirit pushed me to go to this pastor and to ask his forgiveness for not forgiving him. He didn’t even know that I knew what he had said. I was forgiven, but as far as I knew he continued to believe that sports were not right for the activities of a pastor and church. I had to let it go. Nevertheless, several teenagers came to know Jesus as a direct result of the friendships developed through sports.
Yours because of “forgiveness,”
David
REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.”
Thank you David. I needed to hear this today.
“Make allowances for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
Thank you, David. A powerful message indeed.
Matthew ll is very thought provoking with the revelation that healing is in the atonement as well as salvation. Knowing this truth makes us free Jesus tells us clearly, “what things soever we desire, when we pray believe, and we shall receive.” He has shown this so clearly! What a wonderful Savior!
It is because of His grace in my life that I have been able to forgive others, and the lessons are not finished yet!!
I thanked God for given me the Grace to forgive others as He has forgiven me. one time I thought if I still remembered the reason I forgave, I was not forgiven. What a lie from the enemy. Jesus Forgives , praise His holy name.
Thank you, David, for sharing a personal example.
Peace comes when we give up needing an apology from others and simply ask for their forgiveness. It frees us and allows the healing power of God to work through us.
Have a blessed day!
It would be very nice to have this on audio…… for one reason miss your voice david and another makes it easier to partake, can still do chores and listen….. Much love
Thankyou !