Author: Loring Schultz

Christian Devotional Writer
Bible Studies

“The Popularity and Excitement Around Jesus” The Gospel of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark

Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 3:1-12 NLT – Jesus Heals on the Sabbath – Jesus went – Bible Gateway

“Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.” Mark 3:7- 8 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

Famous people usually draw a crowd when out in public just by showing up at an event or enjoying dinner out. People crowd around them to say a word, or hope for a longer conversation, or are just looking for an autograph. Imagine if that person, in addition to filling your excitable emotions, could heal you physically of any disease or sickness you had. You would actively seek that person and not wait for a chance meeting. Jesus was such a famous person as he started His earthly ministry as we have been studying in the book of Mark.  

Large crowds were beginning to follow Jesus as the news about His miracles of healing began spreading all throughout the region and beyond. People were traveling considerable distances from outside Palestine to find Jesus. He was becoming quite popular and there was much excitement building around Him.

We read today in the first six verses of Mark chapter 3 of another healing performed this time in the synagogue in Capernaum that helped boost Jesus’ fame. This miracle took place on the Sabbath day which boosted the Pharisees disproval of Jesus to the point they were now plotting His death. As Jesus entered the synagogue there was a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees were watching with intent for what Jesus would do. The verb that is used indicates they were observing maliciously waiting to trap Him. The Pharisees were looking for an opportunity to accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath by healing the man. Rabbinic teaching did not allow the practice of medicine on the Sabbath unless the individual was close to death. This man with the deformed hand clearly was not, so the Pharisees watched closely.

Jesus asked the Pharisees, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?”  (Mk.3:4 nlt) The Pharisees had failed to see the true nature of the Sabbath was to do good. Not healing this man would be breaking the spirit of the Sabbath and would be a sin. The Pharisees did not answer Jesus. By remaining silent they were implying their views on the Sabbath were wrong. They were convinced Jesus could heal the man, yet when He does, they are ready to accuse Him and seek His death. It’s ironic Jesus asked them, ‘Is it a day to save life or to destroy it?’ No wonder they didn’t answer, Jesus was going to save life, and the Pharisees were plotting to destroy His.

Jesus displayed His righteous anger as the Holy One of God and was grieved at their hardness of heart. The Pharisees hearts were growing hard by their pride, and by the prospect of losing their power and positions. Their lifestyle was more important to them than accepting Jesus the Messiah had come. How many people have we in the world today who also love their lifestyle to the point that any mention of Christ hardens their hearts. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day were throwing away the truth of Christ for their own lies.

“Then he said to the man, ‘Hold out your hand.’ So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!” (Mk.3:5 nlt) Jesus performed another miracle of healing increasing His popularity with the people and infuriating the so-called religious Pharisees who wasted no time in gathering support to destroy Jesus. The Pharisees met with the Herodians, a secular political party who supported the Roman government, but opposed the Pharisees. The Herodians also wanted to see the end of Jesus. They feared their political power would be in jeopardy if the region became unstable due to Jesus’ presence. The Herodians and Pharisees had a common enemy for different reasons, but their concern for themselves united them. Our world is no different today. We have so-called religious people where Jesus gets in the way of their programs, and secular political parties where the name of Jesus becomes a distraction. Both avoid any contact with the Christ of Scripture.

No matter the efforts to suppress Jesus in our modern society, His popularity and the excitement He builds cannot be restrained. Large crowds still follow Him today, and they are growing. Just as in Jesus’ day, “They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.” (Mk.3:7-8 nlt) Jesus is not on earth physically with crowds of people ascending on Him just to touch Him that He needed to seek refuge in a boat. But Jesus’ popularity and the excitement He brings is only natural as He is the only hope in this world, and the only hope for our afterlife. He still heals and saves those who come to Him for salvation. Jesus offers us the ultimate healing from the sin of death to eternal life. That’s worth seeking Him.

 Photo by Emile Guillemot on Unsplash
A Christian Perspective

Jesus’ Parting Words

Loring Schultz

“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.’” Matthew 28:18-19 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

Do you own a ‘red-letter edition’ of the Bible? I have had several over the years. The red letters, of course, are the words spoken by Jesus. It is an excellent edition especially for a new Christian and those seeking to know more about the sayings of Christ, for Jesus’ words are easy to find. A bit of caution though to be aware of when reading a red-letter edition. There is a tendency to put more emphasis on Jesus’ words as being more important than the rest of Scripture. They are not. All Scripture is God’s Holy Word and equally important. What Jesus had to say is very important and should be lived out by every Christian. There is no greater example of living a godly lifestyle than the Lord Jesus. We should heed the words He spoke, all His words, and live accordingly.  

Throughout the four gospels Jesus tells us in His teaching why He came to earth. He came to redeem us and restore our broken relationship with God the Father due to our sin. Jesus proved He was God the Son by the miracles He perform, and His love and compassion He had for all. He lived a perfect sinless life and was the only one worthy to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus taught His followers, including us, how we should live and care for others. Christians today are to be the hands and feet of Jesus in all He taught us by His words, His example, and His parting words which are His instructions for us to follow while He is away.  

Sadly, I’m afraid there are many Christians and churches who are weighing the importance of Jesus’ words against the rest of Scripture even within the red letters themselves. For example, Jesus taught us how to treat others, how to care for poor and the sick, how to look out for widows and orphans, and visit those in prison, along with loving the Lord our God with all our heart and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus taught us many other things in Scripture, but those mentioned above seem to have priority over everything else Jesus said including, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (Jn.14:6 nblt) and His final instructions, His parting words as he ascended to heaven.

All of Jesus’ words have equal importance and it is not up to us to pick and choose, especially when we ignore the gospel message of salvation. Jesus told us to, ‘go and make disciples of all the nations.’ We are to preach the good news of saving grace and explain why Jesus came. He came to provide our greatest need, forgiveness of our sins and to save us from eternal separation from the Father.

And yes, taking care of social needs in Jesus’ name is also the work of Christians and the church. We should be quick to do this work and never neglect it. It only stands to reason if Jesus instructed us to care for the temporal needs of people on earth, He cares just as much for the more pressing need of saving their eternal souls. That is why Jesus gave us those parting words. Let’s do both!

Devotionals

Love Your Enemies

Loring Schultz

Read: Luke 6:27-36 NLT – Love for Enemies – “But to you who – Bible Gateway

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.” Luke 6:27 NLT

Photo by Emmanuel Phaeton on Unsplash

The word ‘love’ is being tossed around so flippantly in our day that it is losing its meaning. Culturally and politically, it is used to ensure a safe place where love brings everyone together across all lines of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, race, and gender. This indeed works until it is found out that one does not agree with certain issues, then they are ostracized for their opinions or beliefs. What was to bring people is now separating them causing division. Love only works for some people when it is their definition of love, and you agree with them. The banished ones still strive to love those now disassociating with them, but it is to no avail.

You may have been or are now at the receiving end of such hostility for your opinions and your belief in Scripture. It is during these times that we look again to the Bible at some references of love. The ultimate definition of love is to sacrifice your life for others. “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Ro.5:8 nlt) The God of heaven sacrificed His Son Jesus, who willingly went to the cross for us defining the true meaning of love.

Again, “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. We love each other because he loved us first.” (1Jn.4:10, 19 nlt) God first loved us enabling us to love Him and others. We are incapable of loving others outside of Christ. Which means we can love those who hate us, and look down on us, or as Jesus would say ‘we could love our enemies.’ Don’t be fooled by the world’s shallow definition of love. Give our enemies the opportunity to experience the true love of God through our actions towards them despite their feelings towards us.

Devotionals

Submissive to God’s Will         

Loring Schultz

Read: Daniel 3:8-30 NLT – But some of the astrologers went to the – Bible Gateway

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.’” Daniel 3:16 NLT

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

The well-known Bible story of the three Hebrew boys thrown into the fiery furnace is applicable for all Christians today. Really?! The familiar names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego not only have a ring to them, but they represent all Christians living in a pagan society. They held positions of rank in the Babylonian government, were under the king’s rule, but they were also followers of the Lord their God, the God of Israel. Christians today hold jobs in a secular pagan society, are under the authority of the government, and we are followers of Jesus Christ.

The government of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar, issued an order for all people within the boundaries of the empire to bow down and worship the golden image he had erected. Bowing down would be recognizing the gods of Babylon and the king as a god by being obedient to the order given. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when called before the king for not bowing did not need to think it over, but told King Nebuchadnezzar they didn’t need to defend themselves. Their actions were intentional. Their minds were made up, and they would not bow but rested on the Lord their God to deliver them from the king either in death or by rescuing them from the fiery flames of the furnace. They submitted to the will of God.

We may not be put in a fiery furnace situation as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but we are beginning to see increase pressure to suppress Christianity across the world, and even in the United States. When those moments come, will we be able to be as intentional as the three Hebrew boys and be submissive to God’s will whatever it may be, or will we bow down to gods of this world.

Devotionals

Do Not Be Silent            

Loring Schultz

“It is a sin to be silent when it is your duty to protest.” Abraham Lincoln

“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:17 NLT

Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash

Today marks the 216th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday here in the United States. Born in a backwoods cabin in rural Kentucky, Lincoln became the 16th President of the United States during this country’s most turbulent times. Two months before Lincoln’s inauguration the first state to withdraw from the union took place paving the way for the start of the Civil War. Although Lincoln never joined a church or proclaimed association with any religion, he relied heavily on the truths of Scripture especially during his presidential years. Many of his quotes recorded for us in history stem from these truths.

Abraham Lincoln was not one to remain silent on the ills that plagued America during the mid-19th century. He is noted for saying, ‘It is a sin to be silent when it is your duty to protest.’ James wrote something similar, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (Ja.4:17 nlt) President Lincoln’s greatest accomplishment was the Emancipation Proclamation that eventually ended the horror of slavery in the United States and put an end to the Civil War.

The United States still has horrors today that are afflicting the nation. Sadly, many Christians are standing on the sidelines and not engaging in the protest over evil by remaining silent. Our silence could be considered by some as agreeing with the current anti-God secular worldview. We could be considered as agreeing with the majority. Remember the majority accepted slavery in Lincoln’s time. Today, the majority accepts all kinds of evil as spelled out in God’s Word. Let us not be silent but confront the evils in our society knowing it is a sin not to do what we ought to do.

Devotionals

The Lamp of God Burns Continually

Loring Schultz

“Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. The lampstand will stand in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant. Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning in the LORD’s presence all night.” Exodus 27:20-21 NLT  

Photo by Julia Volk on Pexels.com

When the children of Israel set out for the Promised Land under Moses’ leadership, the Lord God gave instructions in the building and maintaining the Tabernacle of God. (Ex.25-27) One of the articles inside the Holy place of the Tabernacle was the golden lampstand. It was crafted resembling an almond tree in bloom. The lampstand gave light for the priests serving in the Tabernacle, and it was to be lit at twilight and never to go out until morning.

The Lord commanded that there be a sufficient supply of olive oil on hand to keep it burning continuously. Care was taken to ensure that the olives used in providing the oil were beaten rather than crushed, for it would produce a finer quality of clearer fuel burning brighter and with less smoke. This command to provide olive oil was given to the people to ensure that the priests would be able to keep the lamps burning.

Dark storm clouds and shadows of discouragement that fill our life dim the light around us. Soon we find ourselves fumbling in the dark and losing our way. But there is no need for Christians to succumb to the darkness when we have the light. Jesus tells us, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (Jn.8:12 nlt) The light in the Tabernacle symbolized the life-giving and light-giving power of God. It also typified our Lord Jesus who is the true light who came into the world to save us. Those of us who know Him as savior have the light, the lamp of God that burns continually. So, no need to walk around in the dark.

Devotionals

Joy, win or lose

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 16 ESV – You Will Not Abandon My Soul – A Miktam – Bible Gateway

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV

Photo by Gene Samit on Pexels.com

The results of NFL’s ‘Super Bowl 59’ are in as the game was played last evening in New Orleans, Louisiana. As I write this, the game is a day away. I anticipate there will be many joyous celebrations from fans of the winning team, and not so joyous on the other side. Locally I reside 60 miles from Philadelphia and this morning there is either joy or sadness in the Philly area. In fact, there will be joy or sadness across the sporting world due to the outcome. Did Kansas City set a record with their 3rd in a row? Either way, whatever the result, don’t let it take away your joy.

David writes in Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (nlt) David says there is fullness of joy, or complete joy, in God’s presence. He is not referring to happy moments as when your favorite team wins the Super Bowl. David is referring to a lasting joy that overcomes any disappointment, sadness, or sorrow that comes our way in life. Our joy in God is not based on external circumstances, but on His internal presence in our lives with His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

To secure that internal joy that will never fade away receive Christ as your personal savior if you have never done so. If you’re a child of God but your joy is missing a beat, perhaps there is something in your life that needs to be corrected. Make it right with God and restore your joy, win or lose.

Bible Studies

“Discussions with Jesus” The Gospel of Jesus Christ: the book of Mark

Loring Schultz

Read: Mark 2:18-28 NLT – A Discussion about Fasting – Once when – Bible Gateway

“Once when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, ‘Why don’t your disciples fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees do?’” Mark 2:18 NLT

Photo by Yosi Prihantoro on Unsplash

In this week’s Biblical Insights, we sit back and listen to the first two of many discussions Jesus has with the Pharisees, other religious rulers, and the people of Israel in the book of Mark. Jesus’ discussions along with His teaching is the core of the gospel of Mark. His favorite name for Himself is the ‘Son of Man.’ Jesus corrects misunderstandings and outright misinformation leveled against Him by the religious rulers, and He answers all questions presented to Him. He confirms His deity, the future coming kingdom, and that He is the way of salvation and the only way to the Father.

After the dinner party Levi had for Jesus in his home, some people came to Jesus with a question concerning fasting. “Why don’t your disciples fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees do?” (Mk.2:18 nlt) Now, these two groups couldn’t be more apart on religious matters, but the people’s concern was legitimate. John the Baptist’s disciples probably were fasting as an expression of the repentance John preached. John was also in prison at this time, so their fasting could have been in mourning for him. The Pharisees, on the other hand, fasted twice a week as a religious ritual. Fasting was a sign of contrition and penitence as far back as the days of the Judges but had become a mere outward expression. The only fasting that was required by Mosaic law was on the Day of Atonement. The Jewish people found it odd that Jesus’ disciples did not fast as other religious people did, so they asked the question.

Jesus takes this opportunity to hint of His mission here on earth. He compares Himself to a bridegroom and His disciples as guests in a marriage celebration. A marriage was a joyous occasion, no time for mourning, why would they fast. But there will come a day when Jesus leaves them, and then they will fast. It will be appropriate at that time.

Expanding on the scope of His mission, Jesus uses two illustrations to explain something new is coming. Jesus’ new gospel of repentance and forgiveness of sin cannot relate to the old traditional rituals. “Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.” (Mk.2:21-22 nlt)

The Pharisees prompt the second of Jesus’ discussions this week. They observe Jesus’ disciples picking heads of grain and eating them as they were traveling along the road next to the grainfields. What upset them was this occurred on the Sabbath day. They claimed Jesus’ disciples were breaking the Sabbath by working harvesting wheat on the Sabbath day. As ridiculous as that sounds, that is how far they stretched the law to conform to their new rules and regulations. Some Christian leaders today are guilty of adding do’s and don’ts above what God has stated in His Word. Just a note of caution to be sure we are biblically sound.  

The Old Testament book of Deuteronomy says, “And when you enter your neighbor’s field of grain, you may pluck the heads of grain with your hand, but you must not harvest it with a sickle.” (Dt.23:25 nlt) The Pharisees should have been familiar with that scripture, but their concern is it was the Sabbath day. Jesus gives them the example of David and his men, what they did when exhausted from hunger. “He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.” (Mk.2:26 nlt) Jesus was illustrating they may have done what was forbidden, but it is also lawful to do good and save a life on the Sabbath. He emphasized the true spirit of the Sabbath is intended for man restoration; spiritual, mental, and physical. (Mk.2:27)

FreeBibleimages.org

Jesus again confirms His Deity in His discussion with the Pharisees when He claimed He is Lord of Sabbath. He is greater than the Sabbath and therefore has the authority to reject the Pharisees rules and regulations concerning the Sabbath day. Jesus will have continual run ins with these religious rulers as we will see throughout the book of Mark, and He will confront them with who He is and His mission why He is here. Jesus said, “The time promised by God has come at last! The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (Mk.1:15 nlt)  

A Christian Perspective

God will not forget Israel

Loring Schultz

“So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.” Exodus 16:35 NLT

 “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.’” Genesis 12:1-3 NLT

Photo by Robert Bye on Unsplash

God’s chosen people are the Jews. Their home is the land promised to them by God, it is the land of Israel far beyond the present-day borders. The city of Jerusalem is the Lord’s holy habitation. (Ps.46:4-5) One day, perhaps sooner than we think, Israel will have all the land God had promised when Christ returns and rules from Jerusalem in His earthly kingdom. But until then………

Yes, but until then we will continue to have unrest in that section of the Middle East known as the Holy Land. Empires and world leaders have fought over the land for centuries, displacing the people residing there. Israel became a nation state in 1948 and was first recognized by the United States, and the U.S. has been a friend to Israel ever since. The fighting continues today not only for the land but for the destruction of Israel and the death of the Jews. Many have tried to negotiate peace that lasts only until the next rocket is fired. There will be no true peace in the Holy Land until Christ returns. But until then………

But until then God will continue to watch over His people. If anyone would doubt God’s care for Israel, just look at His provision of food that lasted 40 years in the wilderness. Every day except Saturday, the Lord provided nourishment for their survival. God didn’t forget or abandon them in the wilderness, and He is not going to forget them now.  God promised He would make them a great nation. He will bless those who blesses Israel and He will curse those who do not.

The people residing in the Holy Land have gone through the horror of war due to the hatred towards the Jewish people, God’s chosen. It will come to an end one day, but until then, let every Christian be in support of Israel and encourage our government leaders to do the same. May we pray for the ‘Peace of Jerusalem’ and the families suffering from the on-going conflicts. May we pray for the salvation of those who have not come to accept Christ as their savoir, and may we pray, Maranatha ‘come, Lord Jesus’!

Devotionals

Live as Children of Light         

Loring Schultz

Read: Ephesians 4:17-32 NLT – Living as Children of Light – With the – Bible Gateway

“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:24, 30 NLT

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

New converts to Christianity have a hard time relinquishing their old sinful habits. Once a person accepts Christ as savior they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but the flesh takes time to surrender. In fact, total surrender will not happen until we’re with Christ in glory. We can make progress in our Christian Walk if we are constantly reminded of the old ways that we are to let go of and replace them with renewed thoughts and attitudes. We’ve been given a new nature in Christ to help us walk in the light.

Paul tells us to put on that new nature, but in a sense, we already have it. He is reminding us to live as if we have it, because we do. Paul is telling us it’s now time to remove our dirty old clothes and put on our clean new ones. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul lays out a section of living as children of light. (Eph.4:17-32) Before we came to know the Lord, we were living in darkness. There was no need for instructions on evil behavior, it came naturally. But even with our new nature, the old one still hangs around. Paul tells us to get rid of it by saying, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” (Eph.4:21-22 nlt)

Listing some of the things that still creep into our lives, Paul tells us to throw them in the pile of dirty clothes along with other sins he didn’t mention. For every piece we throw off, Paul tells us what to put on in its place. It takes time, but a steady progression of living in the light eliminates the darkness.