Church Of The Lost Sheep

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet 'Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene "Early on the first day of the week, after Jesus had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, who were mourning and weeping. And when they heard that Jesus was alive and she had seen Him, they did not believe it. Jesus Appears to Two Disciples After this, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them as they walked along in the country. And they went back and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them either." Mark 16:9-12 Today is the last day of our 40 Day Lenten study, and we read in part what was recorded to have happened during that first Holy Week, in the Book of Mark. We did skip some verses and that is a good oppprtunity to read those on our own quiet time with the Lord. As we read though the passage, even the people who were with Jesus did not believe that He rose from the grave during that first Resurrection Sun

The Burial of Jesus "Now it was already evening. Since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath), Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Council member who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God, boldly went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead, so he summoned the centurion to ask if this was so. When Pilate had confirmed it with the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought a linen cloth, took down the body of Jesus, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where His body was laid." Mark 15:42-47 There are only two more days left on our 40 Day Lenten study, as we continue reading the events that happened during that first Holy Week, from the Book of Mark. The things that was written in the passage above happened on the evening

The Death of Jesus "From the sixth hour until the ninth hourf darkness came over all the land. At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” When some of those standing nearby heard this, they said, “Behold, He is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine. He put it on a reed and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.” But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last. And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion standing there in front of Jesus saw how He had breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:33-39 On these last three days of our 40 Day Lenten study, we will continue reading the things that happened during that first Holy Week as we read through the Book of Mark. In the passage above, the plot of the paparazzis to k

Jesus Prays at Gethsemane "Then they came to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus told His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour would pass from Him. “Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.” Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked, “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing. And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping—for their eyes were heavy. And they did not know what to answer Him. When Jesus returned the thi

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus "Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus."  Mark 14:10-11 On this last week of our 40 Day Lenten study, we will continue reading the things that happened during that first Holy Week as we read through the Book of Mark. In the passage above, the plot of the paparazzis to kill Jesus finally looks like it had moved into phase two. They now have someone within the inner circle of Jesus in their corner, his name -- Judas. We will continue to learn about this betrayal as we continue reading the Book of Mark. We should do our own private reading in our own quiet times with the Lord. But join us again tomorrow as we continue this 40 day journey together. Shalom. Lenten Series

The Plot to Kill Jesus "Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him. “But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” Mark 14:1-2 On this last week of our 40 Day Lenten study, we read the things that happened during that first Holy Week as we continue reading the Book of Mark. In the passage above, the usual paparazzis are now not only content in following Jesus around and trying to make Him fall into their traps, now they have escalated to full beast mode. This narrative was also recorded by all the other gospel writers in Matthew 26:1-5, Luke 22:1-6 andJohn 11:45-57. Now these schemes will continue to unfold as we continue reading. We should do our own private reading in our own quiet times with the Lord. But join us again tomorrow as we continue this 40 day journey together. Shalom. Lenten Series

The Greatest Commandment "Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” “Right, Teacher,” the scribe replied. “You have stated correctly that God is One and there is no other but Him, and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, which is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely, He said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any further." Mark 12:28-34

Triumphal Entry "As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it shortly.’” So they went and found the colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. They untied it, and some who were standing there asked, “Why are you untying the colt?” The disciples answered as Jesus had instructed them, and the people gave them permission. Then they led the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, and He sat on it. Many in the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut from the fields. The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Jesus Heals Bartimaeus "Next, they came to Jericho. And as Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho with a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many people admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man. “Take courage!” they said. “Get up! He is calling for you.” Throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus jumped up and came to Jesus. “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “Rabboni,” said the blind man, “let me see again.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road." Mark 10:46-52 Continuing our Lenten series -- we are now coming up to our last week of reading through the Book of Mark. It is just fit

The Third Prediction of the Passion "As they were going up the road to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were amazed, but those who followed were afraid. Again Jesus took the Twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him: “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles, who will mock Him and spit on Him and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise again.” Mark 10:32-34 We are close to the last week of our 40 Day (about six week) Lenten study, reading through the Book of Mark. I pray you have been reading along with us on your personal and quiet time with our Father in heaven. Predictions In the passage above, it is said that this would have been the third time that Jesus have foretold what was going to happen to Him. Mostly, those who heard Him talk about future events,

Jesus Blesses the Children "Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them." Mark 10:13-16 Continuing our Lenten series -- Day 30 of 40. We are now nearing the end of our study of the Book of Mark. Yesterday we spoke a little bit about marriage (and divorce). Today we are talking about little children. Kind of like the sequel. Anyway, we also have talked about this matter previously, twice in the Reborn Series. So for those who finished that series, this would be a kind of a review. Childlike Faith In the passage abo

Teachings about Divorce "Then Jesus left that place and went into the region of Judea, beyond the Jordan. Again the crowds came to Him and He taught them, as was His custom. Some Pharisees came to test Him. “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” they inquired. “What did Moses command you?” He replied. They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.” But Jesus told them, “Moses wrote this commandment for you because of your hardness of heart. However, from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Mark 10:1-9 Continuing our 40 Day Lenten study as we read through the Book of Mark, we come to a passage that deals with divorce and marriage. If you reread it again, it should

Temptations and Trespasses "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea."  Mark 9:42 Continuing our 40 Day Lenten study from yesterday, reading through the Book of Mark. We again skipped through a few verses. Please read through those verses in your own quiet time with the Lord. Today we have a short passage with Jesus having a stern warning for his followers. Inevitable? He is acknowledging that it will be inevitable that stumbling blocks will come our way that will cause us to question or might even cause us to lose our faith. Whether intended or not, Jesus did not elaborate. But of course if done by design, then think about a bigger stone and a deeper ocean drop. Delicate/Sensitive Typically newly born Christians or those on the verge of being birthed are easily put off by anything and everything. Every believer should k

The Greatest in the Kingdom "Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was in the house, He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.” Mark 9:33-35 We are inching closer to the end of our 40 Day Lenten study, (reading through the Book of Mark). If you have been reading along, you would have noticed that we skipped through a few verses once again. Those verses, you are going to have to read on your own, in your own quiet time with the Lord. In the passage above, Jesus aware that His disciples were talking among themselves, asked them about what they were arguing about. His disciples didn't respond and became quiet. But Jesus already knew that His disciples were debating who among them were better than everyone else. Like anyone el

The Transfiguration "Then Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God arrive with power.” After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them. And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters —one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For they were all so terrified that Peter did not know what else to say. Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they saw no one with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus admonished them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the

Christ’s Passion Foretold "Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke this message quite frankly, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Mark 8:31-33 Moving along our 40 Day Lenten study with reading through the Book of Mark, we read that Peter, after doing something special ( yesterday's reading ), today he is back to his usual self -- the foot in mouth Peter, always getting in trouble for saying something stupid (shooting his mouth off without thinking). As we have said Peter may be the closest follower of Jesus, but it does not mean it is because he is the most righteous. Potential Now it could be, because he has the most potentia

Peter’s Confession of Christ "Then Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” And Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about Him." Mark 8:27-30 Continuing on with our 40 day journey reading through the Book of Mark. I trust you have been reading with us. If so, you would have noticed that we skipped a few verses. These are about another healing. We could read that on our own. For today we will read about Peter's revelation. Peter was the de facto right hand man of Jesus. And not because he was the best among His closest followers. If anything, he was among the least. And not that the others were better. Every single one of them had their own weaknesses. Peter

The Leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod "Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. “Watch out!” He cautioned them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.” So they began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread. Aware of their conversation, Jesus asked them, “Why are you debating about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Do you have such hard hearts? ‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Twelve,” they answered. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Seven,” they said. Then He asked them, “Do you still not understand?” Mark 8:14-20 This is the 23rd day of our 40 day journey reading through the Book of Mark. I trust you already hav

The Demand for a Sign "Then the Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, testing Him by demanding from Him a sign from heaven. Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And He left them, got back into the boat, and crossed to the other side." Mark 8:11-13 Jesus with His paparazzis and His fans and supporters   This is the 22nd day on our 40 day journey reading through the Book of Mark. I trust you have found the time to join up and even to start from Day 1, even if you started late. So if you have been reading the Book of Mark, you would notice that we skipped past a few verses. These were on other healings and another feeding of a few thousand people. We could read that on our own. Pretending To Be Blind Today we will deal with how some people kept on insisting that they are blind to what they are actually seeing. Most of us are like this. Because