Steve Wiggins

MARK 1

John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were flocking to him, and he baptized them in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. Luke 1: 4-5

The Jews, in Jesus’ time weren’t much different than many religious people today. They were seeking righteousness. Enter: John the baptizer. He was freaky, eating locusts and wild honey. He wore crazy clothes. As prophets go, John was a rock star. He drew a crowd and many came to gaze upon his charisma.

A thing to know about Jewish culture is there is no such word, “baptism.” The Hebrew word is “mikvah.” A mikvah is a ritual bath or immersion. Unlike Christian baptism, which is generally once-in-a-lifetime, Jewish mikvah was performed every time a person entered the temple, performed a pious duty, or made a significant decision in their life. Public immersion was for testimony and accountability.

Did John teach forgiveness by immersion? No. The mikvah was a public symbol of an inward change, a desire to repent. John was telling his generation they had themselves to blame for the root of their spiritual problems. He was preparing attitudes to be receptive to the ministry of Jesus.

The self-righteousness got wet and made a public display of piety. The humble were being readied to follow Messiah.

Jesus’ earthly ministry basically comprised of performing signs fulfilling prophecy and identify Him as Messiah, being crucified for the sin of the world, and making His resurrection known. Humble, believing hearts made Messiah’s path straight. The bible states that unbelief was the only thing to hindered Jesus’ ministry.

These days, we make Jesus’ path straight when we humble ourselves in repentance, believing by faith He is Messiah. He has promised to baptize us with something better than water. He immerses us in His Holy Spirit.

MATTHEW 28

Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 18-20

There are many kids in my neighborhood. We live in the desert and we have a pool, so they all swim with my children. My wife and I love these kids like our own.

But when it’s bedtime, the neighborhood kids go home and our kids stay. Why? Our kids are family. They bear our DNA; they are immersed in our “name”.

Jesus commanded the apostles to make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Before this command, it was commonly believed Gentiles could worship the Lord, but only Hebrews would bear the Lord’s name.

The name of God is a privilege and a responsibility. The 10 commandments warn us not to take God’s name in vain. Modern theology has diminished this command to using curse words.

In actuality, the command translates, “Do not receive the Lord’s name in vain.” The Lord is telling us that if we are to become His children and bear His name, we must live up to the character of the Name we inherit. The book of Hebrews tells us how Jesus’ fulfillment of the Character of His name culminated on the cross.

“So, He became higher in rank than the angels, just as the name He inherited is superior to theirs.” Heb 1: 4

By accepting the name of the Lord, you are agreeing to live up to the character of your Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus. Be encouraged! Jesus has promised to never leave us, and He sends His Spirit to guide and support us through life’s trials. Jesus will someday deliver us, uncorrupted, to the Father.

MATTHEW 27

Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.
Matthew 27: 38

I believe Jerusalem is the center of the world. That may sound esoteric, but it’s the way I feel. Look at a map. Everything to the left of Jerusalem is known as the West. Everything right is called the East.

Ever wondered why Jesus was crucified between two thieves? Why not murderers, heretics, or drunkards? Why thieves?

Whenever I think about the thieves flanking Jesus, it reminds me of how the East and West have stolen from God. The bible says we should follow God’s laws and precepts without straying to the right or left.

What sums-up Eastern philosophy? The East has religious discipline, without a personal relationship to God. It is impressive, and a bit scary how far Eastern religions go to appease God. Be it Allah, Vishnu, or any of the millions of Eastern religious gods, none of them invite you to a loving gracious savior. Their gods are impersonal, and always need appeasing. Who would dare call God “brother” or “friend?”

What about the West? The West is into liberty, without accountability. “Let us do whatever we want, and don’t bring us down with your rules. Your belief is good for you. Just don’t mess with my pursuit of happiness.”

Is this observation intended in Scripture, or just a coincidence? Either way, it is plain to see the East and West have stolen from Jesus. One side steals discipline and denies relationship. The other side steals liberty while barring accountability.

Jesus commands we be disciplined, but He also wants a personal relationship. He bestows liberty from God’s judgment, but gives us boundaries to protect and ensure our lives will be productive and abundant. In contrast to thieves who steal from anyone they can con, Jesus offers mercy to the guilty and grace to anyone who will receive it.

MATTHEW 26

Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and He will provide Me at once with more than 12 legions of angels? How then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

It is very difficult for us to understand kingdom economy. Even our most spiritual moments are filtered through the lens of our experience in this world. The disciples had spent 3 years hearing Jesus teach. But the years prior were spent listening to various rabbis pontificate how Messiah would look, what He would do, and how the Jews would benefit by Messiah’s coming.

Even down to the moment of Jesus’ arrest, Peter still thought He was starting a political coup. Scripture tells us the disciples argued and lobbied for cabinet positions in the coming kingdom. They didn’t want world evangelism and reconciliation; they just wanted an eternal shift in power that let them be bosses, for a change.

The disciples were looking forward to an earthly kingdom. Jesus was concerned with the heavenly one.

How do you gauge your kingdom allegiance?

Those who set up earthly kingdoms would barter their souls for dominion in this world. They don’t humble themselves before the Lord. They see Him as an intellectual equal, at best. They lack faith to live sacrificially, for giving up possession & power subtracts from their Kingdom. The only god they serve is the one they see in the mirror.

People living for the heavenly Kingdom conduct their lives in such a way that it would be utter foolishness, were there no resurrection from the dead. They are not attached to anything earthly, and would be willing to give up everything for the cause of Christ. Their hope lies not in the perishable earth, but in the incorruptible eternal Kingdom of heaven. They have joy in sacrifice because their hope lies beyond the resurrection.

MATTHEW 25

“For it is just like a man going on a journey. He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them. To one, he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one – to each according to his own ability.” Matthew 25: 14-15

In most circles, the words “gifted” and “talented” are synonymous. While gifts and talents are both attributed to grace, each has its own unique purpose.

“Gifts”, or “spiritual gifts”, are abilities the Lord bestows to all people. (See the lists in: Rom 12, Eph 4, 1Cor 13-15 and elsewhere) Each person is created to glorify God uniquely. God desires everyone use their gifts for His glory. Sadly, most people seek to glorify themselves.

Gifts come in combinations. Like a piñata, everyone’s gift set is different. One gift usually dominates the others.

A “talent” is an opportunity to invest your gift. When the Lord gives a talent, He is saying “Here is an opportunity to invest your gift in My kingdom. Watch it multiply as I bless your obedience.” God always matches the opportunity with the ability.

Those who follow His leading and invest their gifts, see an increase. The increase is directly proportional to the talent/gift combination. Increase is measured in 1) Kingdom impact, and 2) your personal growth. Others grow in discipleship and your faith broadens. As your faith grows, the Lord gives you greater opportunity.

Let’s say you ignore God’s talent. Maybe, you’re scared or unsure. The kingdom doesn’t grow, nor do you. Burying your talent negatively impacts your faith. You never give the Lord a chance to build your faith by showing His increase. Instead of stretching, you shrink. The Lord will send someone else to accomplish what you refused to begin. He sends other finishers when we flounder.

Everyone is gifted. Every believer has the privilege of laboring for the Kingdom. Pray, asking how you can serve Him today.

MATTHEW 24

Then Jesus replied to them, “Watch that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name saying ‘I am the Messiah’, and they will deceive many. You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because those things must take place but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of birth pains.” Matthew 24: 4-8

When my wife Misti was pregnant with our first child, some friends threw us a baby shower. It was about a month away from her due date. By the end of the evening Misti announced she was in labor. I drove like NASCAR to the hospital!

Two hours later, I was driving Misti home. Chalk it up to first time pregnancy, but sometimes, false labor feels like the real thing. When in doubt, trust the doctor. We ended up having 2 false alarms…till her water broke.

Looking around the world, it seems we are living in the last days. War, natural disasters, and rank immorality are signs of the end times. Where is Jesus? You may be comforted to know He is not slow in returning.

So, how does His eminent return affect us? We should have a sense of urgency for the gospel. If we love the Lord we’ll love people. If we love people, we’ll introduce them to Jesus. A glance at the newspaper headlines reminds us times are desperate. Don’t allow yourself to be led astray. Don’t lose your focus, trying to determine prophecies. We were created to know the Lord and make Him known. It’s that simple.

Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for us. When Jesus returns, there will be no mistaking the times. From worldly labor pains, He will deliver His remnant.

MATTHEW 23

“Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have taken part with them in shedding the prophet’s blood.’ You therefore testify against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ sins!!” Matthew 23: 29-32

When I was a teenager, I had a list of things I would never say when I grew up and had kids.

1) “Because I said so!”
2) “I’ll give you something to cry about!”
3) “When I was your age”…and the list goes on.

Guess what? I say all those phrases to my kids. They’ll probably say them to their kids. We are a product of our upbringing, like it or not.

The Pharisees had zeal. They loved to work for the Lord, but they had been taught attitudes that were contra to God’s heart. It’s like driving around LA with a map of Manhattan. You may be efficient on the map, but it’ll never get you where you want to go. It’s the wrong map. Either change cities or get a new map!

The Pharisees were in the right city (Jerusalem), but they had traded the Torah (God’s map) for the Talmud (traditional rabbi commentaries). Learning tradition had replaced personally seeking God. They were consumed with the “How”, and they lost the “Who”. What’s worse, they thought they were better than their fathers! They remind me of many in today’s emerging church movement. They sincerely believe they are following the Lord’s path, but many are sincerely wrong. Sincerity and creativity are not the maps to enlightenment. The bible is.

Don’t accuse your fathers without recognizing you’ve inherited their sinful attitudes. You’ve been absorbing them since the cradle. The only way to break a sin pattern is to humble yourself and repent. Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us. He makes our paths straight.

MATTHEW 22

But perceiving their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing Me, hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” So they brought Him a denarius. Whose image and inscription is this?” He asked them.
“Caesar’s.” they said to Him.
Then He said to them, “Therefore, give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God, the things that are God’s.”
When they heard this they were amazed. So they left Him and went away.
Matthew 22: 18-22

Have you ever heard the term, “the spitting image”? I wish I knew the origin of that term. People say of my son, “He’s the spitting image of his dad.” They mean he looks just like me, and of coarse he does look like me. He’s my son.

The Pharisees sent their disciples to question Jesus. It’s commonly thought the Pharisees were always out to get Jesus. In reality, they were trying to ratify the Messiah. Questioning was the 2nd step of a step of 3 step Messianic confirmation process. The 1st was observation. Early in each gospel, you’ll find Jesus perceived the thoughts of His critics. It’s because they were just observing. Next, you see questioning, followed by the chief priest officially recognizing or denying a messianic candidate.

The problem was they loved their power. Not even Messiah could pass the tests they set up. They would not humble themselves to admit they were operating in error. They wouldn’t step aside for God’s Son.

Trying to catch Jesus in a political pickle between allegiance to Rome and Jewish disdain for Rome, they ask Him about taxes. His answer is simple. “Whose image and inscription is on the coin?”

A worldly glance says “Caesar.” A spiritual glance says, “God.” How? While the coin bears Caesar’s image, Caesar himself bears God’s image. The bible says Adam was created in the image of God.

Jesus is saying, the image belongs to the one who minted it. Give the coin to Caesar, and give yourself to God.

If people were to observe you, whose image do you bear? The world’s or God’s?

MATTHEW 21

Jesus went into the temple complex and drove out all those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables and the chairs of those selling doves. And He said to them, “It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21: 12-13

I’ve tried to imagine Jesus clearing the temple. It doesn’t jive with all the other images. You’ve got the “blond haired & frail” Jesus. There’s the country-come-city “Andy Griffith” Jesus, and the cartoon “felt board” Jesus. “Clearing the temple” Jesus foreshadows the returning King redeeming His bride and judging the world.

Jesus announced a new era. He sent two clear messages: the temple is His inheritance, and there is room in the covenant for all the nations.

Jesus claims ownership of the temple by quoting Isaiah, “MY house…” He didn’t say “Your” house, “Our” house, or “God’s” house. This was personal.

A deeper look at the context of the Isaiah quote reveals why Jesus chose this particular passage. Isaiah 56 sends a message of hope for all people. Jesus reminded everyone a relationship with God has never been, (nor would it ever be) an exclusively Hebrew thing.

“And the foreigners who convert to the Lord, minister to Him, Love the Lord’s name and are His servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it, and who hold firmly to My covenant – I will bring them to My holy mountain and let them rejoice in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

Jesus told the Jews, in essence, “Get ready because I am opening this place up to everyone who converts to Me. Note that Isaiah did NOT prophesy, “Whoever converts to Judaism”, rather, “Whoever converts to the LORD.”

For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3: 16

MATTHEW 20

While going up to Jerusalem, Jesus took the 12 disciples aside privately and said to them on the way: “Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death. Then they will hand Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and He will be resurrected on the third day.” Matthew 20: 17-19

Every summer my wife and I go to Israel. We lead music on a tour for Christian college students called eXperience Israel. One of the things we do is serve Israeli Messianic congregations to help share the truth about Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus).

Most of the time, the Israelis are receptive to conversations about Jesus. But they always bring up three eras in Western history as defenses against following Him. The Crusades, the Catholic Inquisition, and the Nazi Holocaust.

In all three instances, millions of Jews were persecuted and killed in the name of Jesus. Jesus would never have approved of such treatment. Yeshua (Jesus) came to earth as a Jew and He continues to love and redeem the Jewish people.

One of the reasons apostate Christian leaders have given to justify Jewish persecution is that God cursed the Jews for killing Jesus. That rationale is completely false.

Jesus himself testified to the contrary. Yes, the Jews condemned Him to death, but it was the Gentiles who continued mocking, flogging and eventually crucifying Him. One of the reasons Jesus allowed those particular circumstances to surround His crucifixion is so Jew and Gentile would be collectively guilty of His death.

The good news is that Jesus rose on the 3rd day! As Jew and Gentile share the guilt of His death, we also share in the hope of His grace!! I am doubly thankful, because I am both Gentile and Jewish.

Pray for our efforts in Israel as we share the truth of Messiah Yeshua. Pray for the true Shalom of Jerusalem, that restoration through Yeshua would come to the Jewish people, as well as the nations.

Barucha (Blessings).

Steve Wiggins