I haven’t blogged for two weeks, because I’ve been writing a book. I’m not through writing but I’m close. It’s a book about prayer. Today, I’m writing about Jesus and what most people would call the passion week.

In Matthew 21:10-17, Jesus entered Jerusalem at the beginning of their week. He and the disciples headed to the temple. All along the way to the temple the people were calling Jesus the prophet from Nazareth. Remember this was Passover week and thousands of Jews from all over the world came. Jesus entered the temple and chased all the people selling goods in the temple out. The religious leaders were angry because they made good money with their efforts. Jesus quoted scripture saying, My house is a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves. Then the people started praising Jesus saying, Hosanna to the son of David. The religious leaders knew what that meant, that Jesus was there rightful king and tried to stop it. Jesus wouldn’t stop them from praising Him. The disciples and Jesus left and went to Bethany to stay at the home of Larazeth, Martha and Mary. Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him. But He stayed anyway. He is our example.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 21:1-9, Jesus was headed to Jerusalem for the last time. He knew what God had planned for Him. Now it was time to implement God’s plan for man. Jesus and the disciples came to the mount of Olives. Jesus told two disciples to go to a certain place and bring back a donkey and foal. He said if anyone objects tell them that the Lord has need of them. Jesus was going to ride the donkey into Jerusalem to fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. As they brought the donkey, the disciples put cloaks on her. Jesus got on the donkey as a multitude gathered along the way. They spread their garments and had palm branches in their hands. They cried with a loud voice, Hosanna, blessed thou Son of David. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, as Jesus entered Jerusalem as the King.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 20:29-34, Jesus had finished teaching around Jericho and was headed to Jerusalem. As Jesus, the disciples and a great multitude were traveling, they passed two blind beggars. When the blind beggars heard it was Jesus, they cried out to Him. The crowd tried to get them to stop. But they cried the louder. Jesus heard them and had them brought to Him. Jesus asked what He do for them. The blind men responded to be healed. Jesus healed them because He had compassion and their faith and persistence. When we pray, God wants us to be persistent until He answers our prayer.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

in Matthew 20:24-28, the other ten disciples heard what James and John asked Jesus, they became angry with them. Jesus began to teach them about ministry. He told them that the gentiles lord their power over others. Jesus told the disciples that they wouldn’t do this to each other. He told them if you want to br great, then be the servant of all. Jesus told them that He didn’t come to be ministered to, but rather to serve. Jesus’s life is an example to us. He said that we would do greater things than He did. This also means that we will be greater servants than He was. Jesus said that He came to give His life a ransom for many. So will we give our lives as a servant for many. Then people will see who our Lord is and accept Jesus. Let us strive to be the servant of all.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 20:20-23, this scripture talks about James, John and their mother came to Jesus and asked if they could sit on His left hand and right hand in heaven. Jesus said you don’t know what you are asking. I can’t give that to you because the Father has already assigned those seats. But what I can do is that you can enter into My baptism. James and John both said yes. Jesus woke me up one morning 40 years ago with this scripture. Once He explained what the scriptures meant, Jesus turn to me and asked if I would enter into His baptism. If you don’t know what Jesus’s baptism is. It is the baptism of death. It’s the cross. Jesus looked at me and asked. He didn’t say that I would come out on the other side. For me He meant actual death. It took me 3 days to decide. I knew that if I didn’t, I would miss God’s plan for my life. That was 40 years ago. What I have found is that there is no other way to live. What I gained for out weights what my life could have gained. So I know that at any time my life will be required. It’s the only life to live. I am crucified with Christ.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

I have another on-going story to tell you. To see the story all you have to do is open your eyes and look at television, Facebook or any other social media. The story isn’t new. In fact it is as old as man. The fight that we see today isn’t about race or politics or even the Corona virus. It is about fighting God and man not wanting to surrender his life to God. I don’t know if this is the last days but it seems pretty convincing. There is a shaking going on. Everyone that can be shaken from the faith will be. Circumstances have never been the criteria for our faith. It isn’t based upon this world. We see things that can make us afraid. Jesus talked about it in the parable of the sower. He said,”he that heareth the word and understandeth it which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth some a hundredfold some 60 some 30″(Matthew 13:23). Then God showed me Gideon and the army of Israel. Gideon put out a call for an army and 33000 men showed up. God said there were too many men. He told Gideon to say all that were afraid to go home. 23,000 men went home. These are the believers that produce 30% in the army of God. God said it was still too many. God told Gideon to have the army to drink from the stream and everyone that watched for the enemy could stay. God said to send the rest home. 9600 men went home. These are the believers who produced 60%. The 300 men the left defeated the midianite army of over 100,000 men. These 300 men took their life in their hands and trusted God. These are the believers that produce a 100%. They are prepared to stand and fight. These are the believers that are call for such a time as this. The call of God has gone out. How you respond is your choice.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In these “unprecedented times”, the Bible tells us what to think about. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things” (Phillipians 4:8 NKJV).

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 20:17-19, Jesus and the disciples were headed for Jerusalem. Jesus takes the disciples aside to tell them something. Jesus said, I go to Jerusalem to die. I will be betrayed and handed over to the gentiles to be crucified. And on the third day I shall rise again. Jesus entered into the covenant of Abraham. This is where He is sacrificed to God. Then God resurrected Jesus. We as believers entered into the same covenant. And we must be sacrificed to God and let Him resurrect us into a new and living way. If you are a believer and are unwilling to follow God and His commandments, then you need to go back to the cross and die. We can’t resurrect ourselves. Only God can. If you don’t die to yourself, there is no guarantee that you will enter heaven. Those that are dead and endure to the end shall be saved(Galatians 2:20).

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus told the story of the vineyard and the owner. The owner went out early in the morning and hired workers for his vineyard. They agreed on a penny for the day’s work. The owner went out at 9 am and 12 noon and 3pm and hired workers for the vineyard. They agreed to work for a penny. The owner went out at 5pm and found men idle. He hired them for a penny also. Finally, the day ended and called all to recieve their payment. He started with the last to the first. The first hires saw the owner made everyone a penny. They thinking they would recieve more. When they received a penny, they started complaining against the owner. The owner said you have received what you agreed to. He said are you evil because I am good. Then jesus said the last shall be first and the first shall be last. For many are called but few are chosen.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

The Law of God commanded that each person must work to obtain salvation. It was by following the rules and regulations. What God was showing man that he was a sinner separated from God and couldn’t earn salvation. The popular belief in Judaism was you could earn your way to heaven. Even the disciples believed this. So when Jesus told that they couldn’t earn their way to heaven, it through out their beliefs. Peter was shaken and asked Jesus what they supposed to do. Jesus explained that God is to only one who can give a person salvation. Jesus told the disciples because they have left father, mother, sister, brother and family to follow Jesus shall recieve everlasting life. Then He said the first shall be last and the last first. It’s the parable of the marriage supper. With God nothing is impossible.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com