Heralds Digest

“And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it...So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭11:13-14, 22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.11.13-14,22.nkjv A focus on figs rather than faith can easily misrepresent the lessons from the experience of Jesus Christ with the fig tree having leaves. Considering the response of Christ to His disciples, it is obvious that the story addresses the subject of fake faith rather than the season with fake figs. Although the scriptures clearly define faith as the substance of things hoped for or the evidence of things not seen, our focus on ‘leafy figs’ in life (like the appearances of a marital, career, or ministerial prospects) often removes believers’ faith and absolute confid...

“And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭11:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.11.3.nkjv The evidence that the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof is practically played out in the sourcing of the special colt for Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The narrative clearly showed that the colt was specially prepared in form of a sacrifice to the Lord, presented at the altar of sacrifice, and waited upon for acceptable consummation by the Lord and avoiding contamination. And with the acceptable code from the disciples ‘The Lord has need of it’, consent was immediately granted. It shows that without coercion, extortion, hypnotism, and demonic manipulation, an heavenly-inspired consent code is all that is needed to unlock the door to favour, promotion, and breakthrough in life. And whether found in position of receipt or release, the understanding of the workings of the heav...

“So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:51‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.10.51.nkjv Even though ‘Blind Bart’ and ‘Bright Brain’ appear the sensible and latent description of Bartimaeus before his encounter with Jesus, no one could hardly recognize his relationship with the latter. But on his deliverance day and the divine hour, he heard about the presence of Jesus and he response with the appropriate use of his mouth; he received the invitation from Jesus and he responded with the coordinated use of his legs; and he was asked to clarify his request and he responded with accurate expression of his need: “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight”. It implies that the choice of an acceptable description of anyone with either his sensible ‘Blind Bart’ or the latent ‘Bright Brain’ is always personal. Although the sensible description of everyone’s present situation and c...

“Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him:...For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:32, 45‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.10.32,45.nkjv Although public service is expected to be the platform for grooming servants, it is often an avenue for grounding servanthood due to the abuse of power. However, in spite of the power and authority of Jesus, his life and ministry demonstrated the right concept of public service. And while the disciples appeared to be nursing a misconception and a strange feeling about Jesus’ model of service offerings, He clearly prophesied for the third time how the final price of laying down His life will be paid. Unfortunately, many servants in public services have lost the appetit...

“And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.10.24.nkjv When the scriptures declare that money answer all things, the abiding context “that God approves” is often ignored by many who have been deceived. The creative potentials in man, particularly the power to make wealth, are surely enshrined as common sense principles of diligence, discipline, and determination. But without the support of God or His discretions, many ambitions in life are eventually wasted. Absolute trust in human abilities (to make wealth and wholeheartedly make things happen within his sphere of influence) is capable of transforming any man into an enemy of God - by adopting a no consent action plan while making little or no sense out of the will of God. Therefore, Jesus answered again and said to them (His disciples), “Chil...

“Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:21-22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.10.21-22.nkjv The experience of the young rich Man after his lovely encounter with Jesus teaches all that the only one thing that the natural life lacks is the ability to freely think outside the needs of self. The quest for higher standard of living is natural, but the passion for lifting the lives of others is not common. Having been blessed with great riches and possessions in this life, it was commendable to Jesus that the young rich Man was concerned about extending the living pleasures to life after death. Although Jesus loved him for his life-after-death concern, the young rich Man lacks the ability to invest his earthly...

“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.10.15.nkjv Faith to receive without querying the potency of the source is one of the reasons why children can hardly suffer from high-blood pressure. For kids, a promise received is as good as a precious package deal, with little or no fear of disappointment or discouragement. Whereas, adults need consistent assurances from the throne of grace in order to stand firmly on the promises of God. With the myriads of promises upon the pages of the scriptures that await fulfillment, the major concern of heaven is always ‘Will Jesus find faith in the earth at His return?’ While human’ increase in knowledge would always demand the success rate of every prospective engagement before embarking on the mission, little children have little or no such concern before engagements. Obviously, Jesus’ promise of a mansion in heaven i...