6/27 - Parable of the Tenants - Mark 12

S - Matthew 12: 1-12 (oops Mark)

O - Interesting parable of the tenants. God gave us a vineyard and rented it to us farmers. All the prophets he sent, we treated badly. Then he sent his son. This son was killed by the tenants (us).

"The stone the builders rejected has become the captone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes." Prophecy of the rejection of Jesus. He quoted this in Mark 12.

This is when they looked for a way to arrest him. They knew he was talking about them.

A - Recognize all that God has done. All those He sent to bring us to Him. Especially Jesus who is still rejected today. That has to be spiritual warfare. His name brings FEAR to people. It stirs up feelings unlike no other name.

P - Jesus, you are real! You came to bring us closer to God, and we rejected you. We still reject you today in our lives. I welcome you this day to be the center. You are to be worshipped and revered, and we spit on you. Forgive us O God, for not recognizing your mercies to us. You have rented this place to us. We are your tenants. You are the landowner. Help me to remember that none of it belongs to me. It all belongs to you. Help me to be faithful and welcome your will. Our selfishness pushes you away. We want to take possession of our land, but it is a facade. It is your land. It is your world. Help me to be a faithful tenant, welcoming others as you would have me, keeping things in the order you would have me, and knowing it truly all belongs to you. Thank you God for entrusting it to me. Let me be marked by faithfulness.

6/1

S - Matt 11:16 - end

O - Jesus called the people a complaining generation. They asked yet did not receive.

Jesus said the people were wrong about John the Baptist. Wisdom is proved right by her actions.

He denounced the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed because they did not repent.

Jesus thanked God that he revealed Himself to those who were as little children and not to the wise and learned.

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

A - We want, we ask, sometimes we receive, but we do not change our ways/repent.

Remember that wisdom is proved right by her actions, not by words.

Do not complain. Ask, receive, and change my ways as God reveals to me.

Give the Lord my burdens. Learn from him. His yoke is easy. His burden is light. Observe Jesus' ways on earth. Copy.

P - God, help me to recognize when you speak to me. Help me to listen and repent when you want me to change my ways. Help me to take note of Jesus' ways on earth and copy. His burden was easy. Help me to give you mine in exchange for yours. Help me to learn from you. Help me to set that example with my girls. Amen.