“Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’” Luke 19:13 ESV
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Jesus’ teaching often included speaking in parables, an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. He told the parable of the ten minas to refute the idea that the kingdom of God was to occur immediately. Jesus’ followers, including His disciples, did not understand His mission, but supposed He was going to establish His kingdom by overthrowing the oppressive Roman government. Jesus’ earthly mission was to give his life as a sacrifice for sin, providing salvation for all who believe in Him. He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, promising to return and then establish His kingdom. This parable connects to Jesus’ return and every Christian’s accounting for the investment we made or didn’t make.
Jesus said to those around Him, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.” (Lk.19:12 esv) This would have been understood for Herod the Great himself had gone to Rome to receive his kingdom. The nobleman calls his servants and gives each of them one mina (3 months wages) and instructs them to engage in business investing his money for a return. This is a picture of Jesus. The mina the Lord Jesus gives to every believer is the gospel message to be invested in peoples lives. There will be a day of accounting how faithful we have been to what he has given us. “When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business.” (Lk.19:15 esv)
Very descriptive reports on the return of investments are given for three of the nobleman’s servants. Each apportioned by their diligence in service. The first had a 1000% return and was awarded ten cities. The second had a 500% return and was awarded 5 cities. Both these servants loved their master and wanted to please him, taking risks to ensure an increase. The third servant did nothing at all with what he was given but kept it to himself. The nobleman takes the mina from him and assigns it to where it will have the largest prospect of return.
Our Lord Jesus has gone away as the nobleman but will also return as he did. Jesus has given us the gospel message to invest by sharing it with others while He is away. Will we have a return on His investment? Will you have a return? You won’t have a return if you don’t invest it. Have you invested your mina, the gospel?
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT
I suppose most of us are influenced by those around us, whether for good or bad. That is why it is wise to limit our exposure to those with godly values and common sense. The same is true for the customs and behavior of the world, or as some Bible translations say, ‘of this age’, meaning the system of beliefs, values, and the spirit of the age. Christians need wisdom in what we choose to participate in sifting out what is of this age and what is not. I’ll admit, at times, it seems like a fine line, and what we see is often blurred by the customs we’re familiar with. The spirit of this age is under the influence of Satan who is real and not a myth. His agenda is for you and me to influence us to behave in check with the world around us.
Christians must combat this kind of thinking from the world by changing our thinking to the Lord’s way of thinking. Scripture instructs us to let God do the transforming. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (nlt) Changing the way we think is another way to say, ‘renewing your mind.’ We renew our minds by studying God Word. As we engage in serious study of Scripture the Holy Spirit gradually changes our way of thinking as we compare what God says in His Word with what the world is telling us. There is no comparison, and trust me, it will change your mind. You will then determine what is of the world and what is not. “Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Ro.12:2b nlt)
This first Sunday of the new year in Biblical Insights we will start a study in the gospel of Mark. Mark, the second book in the New Testament and one of the four gospels, begins with a simple introduction, “This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” (Mk.1:1 nlt) It may be simple, short and to the point, but that’s the point. So, there is no misunderstanding, this book is about the good news of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The Zondervan NASB Study Bible notes, “The good news is that God has provided salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Mark is more concise than the other gospel writers and focuses more on Jesus’ actions than His teachings. Although through His actions there is much teaching to be learned. Mark’s gospel puts emphasis on His servanthood while confirming His deity. His humanity is detailed throughout the book, and He is presented as the suffering servant. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk.10:45 nlt) It is the good news of Jesus Christ.
Mark skips over the genealogy of Jesus and story of His birth jumping right into the start of Jesus’ ministry with John the Baptist preparing the way. “He (John) is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mk.1:3 nlt) John was the messenger who was prophesized would come ahead of the Messiah and prepare the way for Him. In ancient days king’s envoys were sent ahead to clear the roads for safe passage and to announce the arrival of the king. John was preparing the hearts and minds of the people of Jesus’ arrival to fulfill His Father’s plan of salvation for them. It is in this same manner that we prepare our hearts and minds by clearing the road of any debris or distractions that will prevent the Holy Spirit from teaching us the Biblical Insights He has for us in this study.
John the Baptist’s ministry of preparing the way for Jesus was a call to repentance. That’s a good place for us to start if we are serious about studying God’s Word and growing in Him. Confession of sin and turning away from it will clear and purify our hearts and minds, making us ready to receive His Word. John preached his message of ‘repentance baptism’, baptism accompanied by repentance, in the arid wilderness near the Dead Sea. People were coming out to him when they heard of his ministry. “All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.” (Mk.1:5 nlt) There hasn’t been a prophet in Israel for 400 years and you could imagine the interest of the Jews to see this prophet. John certainly looked the part with his clothing of camels’ hair and his diet, he was a replicate of the Old Testament prophets.
Meeting John in the wilderness was reminiscent of the Jewish wanderings in Exodus. The wilderness was the meeting place for God and His people in the Old Testament. We need to be reminded of that next time we find ourselves in a wilderness. God loves to meet His people in their wilderness. He will meet us when we are ready to meet Him after exhausting all our options. God will not leave us there but will draw us out as we turn to Him.
John’s announcement was, “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.” (Mk.1:7 nlt) John could not forgive sin, nor was that his intention. His message was to lead people to the one who could forgive sin. John stated he only baptized people with water, clearly no saving value. Referring to Jesus he said, “…. but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” (Mk.1:8b nlt) John the Baptist’s ministry was one of confession, repentance and righteous living, followed up by baptism. He heralded the Messiah’s coming and prepared people waiting for His arrival.
Jesus’ ministry was providing salvation by coming to earth, living a perfect life, dying on the cross for forgiveness of sin, and conquering death by rising from the dead to ensure eternal life for all who believe accepting Him as savior. No wonder John uttered that he wasn’t even worthy as a slave to untie His sandals. Next week we’ll see the one who John was preparing the way for. Have you cleared the road for Him?
“Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.” Psalm 46:8-9 NLT
At the beginning of every year wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year are shared among individuals. In addition to the well wishes there is the desire for world peace and the end of wars and hostilities. Deep down there is the hope this may be a year of peace and wars will end. Some asked the question, ‘will there ever be an end to wars and will there be world peace?’ The answer is yes to both questions!
Wars will end at the end of the war of all wars, the battle of Armageddon, when Jesus Christ riding a white horse returns as Warrior-Messiah-King. (Rev.19:11-21) The battle of Armageddon is the final battle. The psalmist writes, “Come, see glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world.” (Ps.46:8 nlt) Indeed, this is the final war. The psalmist continues, “He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.” (Ps.46:9 nlt) The Lord Jesus strikes down the nations and destroys all weapons of war with a sword from His mouth. Yes, it is the final war as we have come to know war on the earth.
As much as the nations want world peace it will not be realized until Christ rules on the earth. Then all the nations will honor and praise God. There will be world peace and there will be no more wars. “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” (Ps.46:10 nlt)
The only hope for world peace is Jesus Christ and that day is soon on the horizon. But more importantly the hope for peace with God is also Jesus Christ. Individually, none of us are at peace with God because of our sin nature. Christ came to rectify that by shedding His blood on Calvary’s cross. Let us not worry so much about wars between the nations but about our own war with God by not accepting His Son for salvation.
“The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.” Daniel 1:5 NLT
The last military draft in the United States occurred over fifty years ago on December 7, 1972, during the Vietnam War. America has had an all-volunteer military since that day. Men drafted back in the day and men and women serving today have the same goals to protect and serve their country. Though many things have changed over fifty years, the one constant is all who serve are put on government support for their daily needs. It is on the government’s dime recruits are trained for service and their provisions met. Once trained, military personnel are put into service in their field of specialized training.
Four young Hebrew men found themselves drafted into service not for their nation, but for the Babylonian Empire. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked the city of Jerusalem in 605 B.C., taking sacred articles from the Temple and taking captive people of royalty and those from noble families. He then instructed to have the best and brightest of the young men trained for service in his kingdom. There were daily provisions, training in the language and culture along with astrology, astronomy, mathematics, and agriculture in this three-year training period.
The four young men were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They were given new names to assimilate into the culture; Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The goal of these young men would also be to protect and serve the kingdom they are in. Being in a pagan culture, there will be great challenges to overcome, but it was the Lord who placed them there, and all four of them knew it.
Every Christian is drafted into service for the Lord. He does provide for us and our training never ends. There are challenges in living in a secular society, but just as those four young Hebrew men were placed there by God, we are placed here. May we know it and face those challenges by faith with His help.
“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John 1:1, 14 NLT
The term ‘faith’ when referencing Christianity means different things to different people. It is used in a general sense as ‘people of faith.’ Some Christians say, ‘I am a person of faith,’ ‘I have faith,’ and ‘you got to have faith,’ etc… There are more examples we can name, but the point is numerous people speak of their Christian faith in general terms.
Christians who speak specifically of their Christian faith refer to God’s saving plan of salvation. God sent His Son to die on the cross for their sins. It is by grace one is saved through ‘faith’ by accepting Christ as savior.
The keys to the game as referred to in the sports world is, God being holy can only accept a perfect, holy sacrifice in the forgiveness of sin. Another key is we must acknowledge our sin and our need to be forgiven and made right with God. We must repent and confess our sin believing that Jesus Christ is the only perfect, holy sacrifice. We must come to realize Jesus is indeed God the Son able to save us from our sin and eternal death.
World history recognizes a man named Jesus who walked the earth over 2,000 years ago. There are few people who dispute this by agreeing to the content of the historical Jesus in history books. Believing only in the historical Jesus is equivalent to saying you are a person of faith, believing only He was a man who walked the earth doing great things. If your faith carry’s you so far as to admit Jesus was sent from God but far short of believing He is God the Son, your understanding of salvation is distorted. If you think just having faith, believing there is a God, doing good deeds, and learning what you can from Jesus’ example, is enough to get by in this world and into heaven, you’re mistaken.
Jesus was not just a good man, a good teacher, a prophet, or miracle worker, He is God the Son. If Jesus was only good man, His death for the sacrifice of our sin would be meaningless. How specific is your faith? Is your faith in Jesus, God the Son, having accepted Him as your savior, or is your faith in the historical Jesus, a good man who walked the earth.
The Jews had to start over, so to speak, in formal worship to God in the Temple. The Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar during the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jews were carried off to Babylon. Judah was held in captivity for 70 years before being allowed to return home. Upon returning home, the work of rebuilding the Temple would soon take place. They had to start over.
As the work began many of the older people were dismayed at the smaller size of the Temple compared to the old Temple that was destroyed. “But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation.” (Ez.3:12 nlt) Discouragement was felt by those who saw the work as insignificant, but the Lord was pleased that the work had begun. It may have been a small beginning, but the Jews were given the opportunity to start over now that they were back in the Promised Land.
Has the Lord God given you another chance to start over and restore your relationship with Him? It may not be the same at first, and it may be a fraction of what it was. In comparison, it’s not even close to where you had been, but God will be please when you take up that opportunity and begin again. He is the God of second, third, fourth, and fifth, chances. Don’t despise these small humble beginnings He is giving you. No matter what brought you to this place, confess your sin before God, accept His forgiveness, and start a new relationship with Him however small the beginning, and thank Him for another chance He has afforded you at the start of this New Year.
“……but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13b-14 NLT
You have heard the statement, ‘what’s done is done.’ That statement is very true, yet we try to undo what has already been done, and the fact is we can’t go back. Sure, there are corrective measures we can take to not repeat things we wish were done differently. We call this, ‘learning from our mistakes.’ But what good does it do to dwell on the past. It will only cloud our focus on the future. What’s done is done.
As we head into the New Year, don’t let the past interfere with your plans going forward, or more accurately, God’s plans for you going forward in 2025. Paul, the apostle, gives us his perspective of forgetting the past in writing to the church in Philippi. Paul viewed his Christian life as a race. Every runner knows it is disastrous to look back. Looking back will slow you down and takes your eye off the goal. The goal is the finish line. We often find ourselves looking back to our own demise. If our eyes come off the goal even for a moment, it could prove to be harmful.
Paul was explaining he hadn’t yet achieved the goal of Christlikeness, but he was still running and pursuing that goal. He was looking forward to what lies ahead, the finish line and the end of the race, when the heavenly prize (Christlikeness) is accomplished. Paul did not look back on his sinful past. What’s done is done. He was forgiven and assured of heaven and eternal life, no need to look back. Jesus saved him, and that also is done is done. So, Paul is forgetting all that is behind him and looking forward to that heavenly prize in Christ Jesus, Christlikeness.
May we keep looking forward, forgetting the past in the New Year. Every Christian’s goal in the 2025 should be moving towards Christlikeness. All other goals are secondary. Working towards that goal will set the priority for other goals we have in mind as the Lord leads us to where He is calling us.
Whether we admit it or not, we all are in pursuit of something. Sheriff Buford T. Justice was in ‘hot pursuit’ of Bo Darville in the 1977 film ‘Smokey and the Bandit.’ Yes, my age is showing. Every team in the NFL is in pursuit of the Vince Lombardi trophy for winning the Super Bowl. Corporate executives are pursuing the success of their business above the competition. Parents are in pursuit of raising their children to be responsible adults, and singles are in hot pursuit of finding that cherished mate. Pursuing a goal in life is commendable and we should work towards it, but may we also take a step back and inspect what we are pursuing.
How many of us pursue righteousness as a goal? A better question would be, how many of us pursue righteousness within the current goal we are pursuing? Pursuing righteousness within our goals entails the following: what is right, just, noble, virtuous, honoring, ethical, blameless, and impartial. If our goals fall short, perhaps some of the above righteousness has fallen short or not applied at all in pursuing our goals. King Solomon wrote, “Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.” (Pr.21:21 nlt) Finding life, righteousness, and honor would prove successful for any goal we would pursue.
Goals will be set over the next two days in anticipation of the New Year. Examine closely what you are pursuing. Whatever goals you plan to pursue in 2025, make sure you leave a little room for righteousness. Better yet, if your main goal is to pursue righteousness then every goal that follows will be covered in the elements of righteousness and honor.
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32 ESV
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We have come to our 5th and final song of hope for advent. Yes, Christmas is over, but this song takes place after the birth of Christ, some 40 days later. The first male child born to a Jewish couple was to be dedicated to the Lord as required by the Law of Moses. Joseph and Mary, being devout Jews, brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem for this purpose. Mary had to wait 40 days until her purification period was over before she could go to the Temple, and she would also go to offer a sacrifice for her purification.
“And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.’” (Lk.2:22-24 esv)
Mary and Joseph made the 6-mile trip from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice of two turtledoves or two pigeons which shows the poverty of this young couple, the earthly parents of the Christ-child. This should serve as a reminder to us that Jesus left His heavenly home to come to earth, giving up the luxuries of heaven to live in the lower class of society. We can be sure Jesus understands the plight of the poor in today’s world and cares about them.
The gospel writer Luke introduces us to Simeon in Luke 2:25-26. All we know about him is what is written in these two verses. He is mentioned nowhere else in Scripture. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (Lk.2:25-26 esv)
Presumably Simeon was an elderly man. He was a righteous man who was waiting for the consolation of Israel (the comfort the Messiah would bring to the people at his coming). Scripture says the Holy Spirit was upon him and given special insight that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. One could imagine Simeon going to the Temple every day thinking maybe this will be the day. Finally, the day came when Mary and Joseph entered the Temple area. “….and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, (Simeon) took him up in his arms and blessed God….” (Lk.2:27-28 esv)
Simeon’s song begins, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Lk2:29-32 esv)
Simeon’s words here are known as “Nunc Dimittis” the Latin Vulgate translation meaning “You now dismiss.” It is a New Testament hymn celebrating God’s salvation. Simeon was holding in his arms the one who would redeem Israel from their sins and not only Israel but of every nation, tongue, and tribe. Simeon didn’t need to see anything more; he saw God’s promised Messiah. He didn’t desire to live any longer, God rewarded Simeon for his faithfulness. Perhaps there are some things we would like to see before the Lord calls us home. The Lord’s arm is not too short that he cannot reach down and grant that request. But our focus is to be righteous and devout as Simeon. We may be surprised at all the Lord will reveal to us before we leave this earth.
Simeon now focuses his attention on Mary and Joseph and blesses them. “And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’” (Lk.2:34-35 esv) Christ will raise up those who believe in Him, but He will be a stumbling block to those who disbelieve. Simeon’s blessing included a hard truth for Mary. A cost will come to her as Mary will suffer deep anguish at her Son’s rejection and crucifixion. What was going through Mary’s mind at this point? We don’t know, and we don’t know how many times she thought about this during Jesus’ years on earth as she watched Him grow up and become a man. Mary certainly knew that the prophecy had to come to pass. Yes, it was a hard truth.
Simeon is joined by Anna, a prophetess 84 years old, who begins to give thanks to God and tells everyone around her waiting for the Messiah that He is here. “And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Lk.2:38 esv)
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Simeon’s song “Nunc Dimittis” closes these 5 songs of hope for advent, and what better song can we end with but the hope (assurance) of our salvation. We can sing with Simeon, “……my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
Word for the Soul 