Jesus and the disciples were in the mountains for several reasons. One was to call the 12 into the ministry. This assortment didn’t really understand what it was all about. But that’s how everyone starts. We have to learn and sometimes on the fly. The religious leaders were beginning to plot against Jesus. But teaching the 12 would take 3 years of work. Jesus could have gone to the cross right then. He said it Himself, it’s not the right time. No one was going to change what God had planned. So the religious leaders followed Jesus around. As you read the bible, you will see people asking Jesus questions to trap Him in His own words. But it never happened. He always told them the truth in love. Many of the religious leaders became believers. The head of His school in Nazareth, Gamaliel became a believer. Many people were healed and delivered by Jesus. Then Jesus gave the disciples the time and opportunity to pray for people. It is the same today. Jesus gives us the time and opportunity with the power of God to pray for people. Just like the disciples, we can rejoice at the victories against our enemy.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

As Jesus was growing up in Israel, He saw what the people went through. Every young person wants to change the world. Some accomplish it. Some don’t. But the drive is there. Jesus graduated from the yeshiva in Nazareth. He was hopeful that His ministry would be successful. As He began to preach, then as now, some people are not ready to change. Jesus wasn’t going to compromise the message of the gospel. He found out in a hurry how strongly people resist change. The first time He preached, they wanted to throw Him off a cliff. But there were people who believed. He went to Capernaum preaching, they began plotting to kill Him. Jesus knew He needed help. So, He called aside into the mountains, His chosen for the ministry. Jesus chose the leaders of the church. It was an odd assortment of people. From blue collar workers to professional people. And one was a thief and terrorist, Judas Iscariot, the zealot. God calls everyone to come home. It was the end of the beginning.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Jesus entered into a synagogue to teach. People were waiting to hear this new pharisee. Yes, Jesus was a rabbi. In the eyes of the church leaders, when Jesus questioned the law or more precisely their traditions, he had to be watched. But when they heard Him preach, they understood who He was. Jesus asked the question, was the sabbath made for man or not. Now Jesus was threatening their power and position. Throughout the bible, the religious leaders said that Jesus spoke with authority. And many times, Jesus performed miracles to prove He had the authority. Jesus did signs and wonders to get their attention. Then He preached the gospel and they believed or not. But Jesus did the will of God not only to fulfill prophecy, but to accomplish God’s will on earth. Many people have heard God’s word and know what is required. And many times, they see the consequences. Then you have to make a decision. Will you follow God or not? There will always be consequences, good or bad. But it can’t stop you from doing God’s will.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Andrew, Peter’s brother, was a disciple of John the Baptist. He worked with Peter, James and John in their business. They were fishermen. But he was with John the Baptist at the River Jordan, when Jesus came to be baptized. He watched as Jesus was baptized and God descended on Jesus and spoke. Andrew even talked to Jesus. He believed he had found the messiah. He went back and told Peter, James and John and anyone else who would listen. When Jesus returned home to Nazareth. He began His ministry. Jesus went to Capernaum and began preaching on the seashore. Peter, James and John had hoped when Andrew told them. But now they believed because they heard Jesus for themselves. Jesus called them and they followed. That is the difference.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Jesus and His disciples went to synagogue. The scribes and pharisees were waiting for Him to come. By that time, they were already afraid of Him. It’s funny, how they knew who Jesus was and all they were concerned with was losing their power and position in the nation of Israel. There was a man with a withered hand. Jesus knew what they were doing. He saw the man and called Him. Jesus asked the pharisees if it was lawful to heal on the sabbath? No one answered. Jesus was grieved for the hardness of their hearts. He told the man to stretch forth his hand. And his hand was healed. What do you think? Would you refuse to follow Jesus for your religion? Is it a choice between your lifestyle and Jesus? What would you do?

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

In Mark ch.2, Jesus had begun healing. People heard and began to seek Him. As they heard stories and saw the healed, it gave them hope. As they came closer to Him, they saw and believed Jesus could meet their need. Jesus healed many. The next day, Jesus and the disciples, came across Matthew, a publican. Jesus called him to follow. Matthew had all of them to come and eat at his home. He called all his friends to come and listen to Jesus. The pharisees were appalled by this. Jesus said, I’ve come to call sinners to repentance. What would you do? Jesus and the disciples walked through a cornfield on the sabbath. They pulled ears of corn and ate. Again the pharisees, argued with Jesus. He taught them and said that the sabbath was made for man. What would you believe? Would you follow your religion or Jesus? We are in this world, but not part of it.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

The nation of Israel, some 2000 years ago, was occupied by the Roman empire. The Israelites were expecting a deliverer, the messiah. In Israel, a man began his ministry when hewas 30 years old. John the Baptist, Jesus’s cousin, began preaching repentance for the remission of sin. He was baptizing people in the River Jordan. It was right before Yom Kippur. Andrew, Peter’s brother was a disciple of John the Baptist. When Jesus was baptized by John, Andrew saw and heard everything that was said. Andrew believed. He went home and told his family and friends. Jesus returned to Nazareth, preaching the gospel. He went to to Capernaum. Jesus walked by the seashore and called Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow Him. They left their family, friends and their business to follow Jesus. What would you do? Would you believe this young rabbi enough to leave all and follow Him?

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

The Promise. We have promised things before, and have or haven’t kept those promises. We know that the promise is only as good as the person. Some will keep them and some just promise to get their way. When Adam and Eve sinned, God promised them a redeemer. 4000 years later, Jesus was born. But in the mean time, God was with man, encouraged and helped them. Until His redeemer came. Jesus fulfilled the promise God gave to man. Now the promise is unto you. Whether you choose to accept the promise or not is your choice. It’s life itself. How long will remain dead in you sins? Choose life. All that God promised is before you. And all you have do is to ask God for forgiveness.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Crucified. A word that meant a horrible death in Roman times. But it has come to mean something different amongst Christians. It still means death, but to oneself. Why was Jesus crucified? There are several reasons why. Jesus died to pay for our sins. But Jesus has always been our example, on how to live and walk in this world. His crucifixion was an example to us. As Jesus, in the garden of gethsemane, accepted God’s will in His life. So, we are to follow Jesus in accepting God’s will in our life. Which means crucifixion. Dying to oneself is the prerequisite to salvation. As you pray and ask Jesus into your heart, you give Him your life. Crucifixion is the Reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com

Decisions. It’s the time of year to make decisions. What resolutions am I going to make? How long do new year resolutions last? But decisions have to be made. I know I gained weight during the holidays. I need to decide what to do. Jesus and his disciples had finished the passover supper. They were headed to the garden of gethsemane. Jesus had to make a decision, whether or not to accept God’s will. When He did, the soldiers led Him away to be crucified. Peter followed and had to make a decision to be identified as a follower of Jesus. It is the same decision we have to make every day. What will you do? Will you walk away crying? Decisions are the Reality of Christianity.

Crain Blanchard.

Crainb52@juno.com

Www.joseph1637.com