Tag Archives: King of Kings

Bible open to Matthew

Mindfully Meditating in Matthew Chapter Twenty-One or MMM21

Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Chapter 21Mindfully Meditating on Matthew Catalogue , the collection of these studies
(First 100 days of 2023, day 52, Feb 21)

Passage Matthew Chapter Twenty-One

It doesn’t matter which version you choose. It can be digital or paper. You can use one of those fancy coloring bibles and do a page or coloring along with the passage.

I will mostly do Holman Christian Standard Bible because of their copyright freedoms.

author note – no video this time because I am having too many migraines from the eye surgery, and I have to give up something. My apologies.

  • Matthew 21
    • Mt 21:1- 11 Jesus’ “triumphal” entrance into Jerusalem
      • Hosanna to the Son of David!
        He who comes in the name
        of the Lord is the blessed One![b]
        Hosanna in the highest heaven!
      • Lent Day Five
    • A house of PrayerMt 21:12-13 cleansing the temple
      • 13 And He said to them, “It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer.[d] But you are making it a den of thieves!
    • Mt 21:14 Blind and Lame healed
    • Mt 21:15 – 17 children sing praises
      • the children shouting in the temple complex, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?”
      • You have prepared[f] praise
        from the mouths of children and nursing infants?”[g]
    • Mt 21:18 – 22 Barren Fig Tree and the power of faith
      • 20 When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”
      • 22 And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
    • Mt 21:23- 27 By what authority?
      • 23 When He entered the temple complex, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to Him as He was teaching and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? Who gave You this authority?”
      • 25 Where did John’s baptism come from? From heaven or from men?”
      • 27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
      • And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
    • Mt 21:28-32 Parable of the two sons
      • Who obeyed?
        • 29 “He answered, ‘I don’t want to!’ Yet later he changed his mind and went.
        • “‘I will, sir,’ he answered. But he didn’t go.
        • “The first,” they said.
      • The point?
        • Jesus said to them, “I assure you: Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you!
    • Mt 21:33-41 Parable of the Vineyard owner
      • 33 “Listen to another parable: There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a watchtower. He leased it to tenant farmers and went away.
      • when asked to present to the owner
        • beat servants
        • killed servants
        • killed son
      • Kicked out
        • 41 “He will completely destroy those terrible men,” they told Him, “and lease his vineyard to other farmers who will give him his produce at the harvest.”
      • It’s about fruit!
    • The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stoneMt 21:42-46  Stone the builders rejected
      • The stone that the builders rejected
        has become the cornerstone.[j]
        This came from the Lord
        and is wonderful in our eyes?

      • 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing its[l] fruit. [44 Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whoever it falls, it will grind him to powder!]”
    • Mt 21: 45-46 Plans to arrest, but afraid of the people

Mindful Meditating

  1. choose a verse,
  2.  set a timer for 5 minutes, or whatever works for you.
  3.  example: Matt 21:9
  4. repeat to yourself, and at each word, enunciate the next word in the sentence starting with the first word…

example:

  • Hosanna to the Son of David!
    He who comes in the name
    of the Lord is the blessed One![b]
    Hosanna in the highest heaven!
  • HOSANNA to the Son of David!
  • Hosanna TO the Son of David!
  • Hosanna to THE Son of David!
  • Hosanna to the SON of David!

…and so on.  This will cause you to look at the verse more intently, and may have you memorize it before your five minutes are done.

Coloring

Triumphal Entry from SuperColoring

Quick Questions – if  you have time, or to think about over the course of the day, and jot down thoughts later.

  1. What was the significance of Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem?
    1. Got Questions explains the history
  2. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?
    1. Got Questions does a great job of explaining about fig trees and the biblical analogies within this story.

Enjoy a Song!

King of King and Lord of Lords – CeCe Winans
He’s still the King of Kings – Gaither Band

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Older woman with shades of coral in jewelry and sweater, glasses, silver and brown hair.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Advent – day 9 – Scepter

Advent day 9

light the 9th candle on the Advent Log.

Advent Candle 9

Advent Candle 9

The scepter.
Second only to the crown as a symbol of power.
Rulers hold the scepter.

I have read the story of Esther with a unique perspective. This feels a bit like sexual assault to me.
I am not sure that I would appreciate being kidnapped – so to speak – to become one of the King’s potential mates.
Probably to be used once, and then thrown aside, potentially never to be free again, and definitely not able to get married and have a family.

Anyway, in the story, in order for Esther to save her people, she must risk her life by boldly going into the throne room, and requesting an audience with the King. King Artexurxes(sp) was known for his having people killed on a whim. If he did not reach out his scepter to her, and welcome her into the throne room, she would die.

Putting her life on the line, to go into the throne room of a great and powerful King, in order to intercede for her people. Amazing. And this she did after three days of prayer and fasting.

Genesis 49:10 says that the scepter shall not depart from Judah:

The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,[a]
until he to whom it belongs[b] shall come
and the obedience of the nations shall be his.

Isaiah 9:6-7, the great Christmas passage, talks about Jesus ruling:

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

I get Jesus being King of Kings – which was why yesterday’s symbol was a crown.
But the scepter? How does that apply to me? I go back to Esther’s story.

Because I have sinned, and I am not holy, I cannot enter into the throne room of a Holy God. (Hab 1:13) God is too holy to look upon sin, which is why sin brought death and separation into the world.
Because Jesus died on my behalf, paid my death penalty, In Christ, I can enter into the throne room with no concern of a Holy God destroying me for my unholiness.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:14 & 16

Because of Jesus, God the Father, on the great white throne of Judgement(actually, that will be Jesus), extends His scepter and welcomes me into His presence for fellowship.

We just bought a new house.
Because I am not able to see all the doors from everywhere, very unlike the RV, we put in a security system.
This security system has a code to enter, and only those with the code may do so, without sounding the alarm, and having the police called.
During our Thanksgiving trip to Ohio, we needed someone to look after our cat, Purrl. Because we trusted her, she had her own code to enter into the house. She also had a key, but that is a different symbol.
The security system let us know every time she entered and exited. Her freedom to enter in was given to her by US, because of her commitment, and the freedom was based in that code.

Another Bible story is about the High Priest serving in the Holy of Holies. He had to go through much purification prior to, be committed to His service, and bring the blood of the sacrifice to the altar. Because it was so dangerous, that God might strike the person dead for entering in without purification first, they had ropes tied around their waists so that their bodies could be pulled out. They knew about those that died that touched the altar, even by mistake. The purity and holiness of God was a serious issue, and going before him with sin in your heart was a deadly issue.

In order for me to enter into the Holy of Holies, where God presides, I must commit my life to being Christ’s servant, and embrace His blood sacrifice on my behalf.
The blood of Jesus is the code to unlock the door to the Holy of Holies!

Gal 2:20 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1John 1:7

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Eph 3:12

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Pet 1:11

Jesus is the rod of Jesse, the scepter holder, and He extends the scepter to, well, whosoever will!

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16

And I say – “I WILL!”

Sadly, sometime prior to 2007, I lost my scepter ornament. We had made several, one with a dowel rod and a styrofoam ball. It was spray painted gold(not good for styrofoam) and sequins and such. Those fell apart. The other was made with shrinky dink – paint plastic and then put it into the oven and it shrank, and became intricate. Such is the crown from yesterday, and the following ornaments.

The thing is, the scepter of God has been extended to me, and you, and we have been given full access into the throne room, and one of those reasons is to obtain GRACE. Through Christ, we already have favor.
Another is to obtain Joy – because in His presence(when you are a welcome guest) there is fullness of Joy! I confess that I need Grace to deal with the daily struggles, and Joy to defeat depression. Who doesn’t?

Lord Jesus, thank you for paying the price, and giving me the code to enter into Your Kingdom. Give me grace to remember your gifts daily, and mercy for my faults. I confess that I yield to the depression, and forget to enter in to be filled with Joy. Thank you for all the reminders in this season for JOY! Joy to the World, the Lord has come. Amen.

Advent Day 9

More Advent Devotions

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

M. Christine Wildman“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

2018 Lent Day 36 – the Sign King of the Jews

Lent day 36 – The sign
Lent Devotions
Lent Week Six started March 19
Lent Week Seven started with Palm Sunday, March 25.
These will be updated as the blogs are posted.

I’m so sorry for the delay – thank you for your patience with me as we prepare to move!

Music
King of Glory – Third Day

Scripture

John 19:19-22 King James Version (KJV)
19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was Jesus Of Nazareth The King Of The Jews.

20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

Luke 23:38

Devotion
King of the Jews….and on Palm Sunday – it seemed as though he was! Riding into town on a donkey, as a victorious King.

Just a few days later, and the crowd has turned against him.

Sounds like a news story from our time!

  • One day, thrilled the police are protecting us, then turn on them as the media spreads stories of varying degrees of truth.
  • One Day, believing that we should live by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s comment that we do not want to be judged by the color of our skin, and then, the violent aspects of Black Lives matter occur, because they want to be treated differently because of the color of their skin.
  • One Day, we are screaming about wanting police to do their jobs to protect our children from people/children with guns, and then next minute screaming that we want everyone to have no guns.

This isn’t a political post.
Yet, if you see anything on the news, or on facebook, or any other sort of newsy sort of media, one day everyone is saying YAY to something, and it can change in 24 hours…because the media tells us what to think. I don’t want to be told what to think!

This is what happened the last week of Jesus’ life.
Why did they turn on him?
It was politically incorrect to believe in him…to point out the illegality of his trial and judgement…to call into question the choices of the political and religious elite.

Peter denied him, to save his own skin!
Other’s ran away.
Even Pontius Pilate knew it was wrong, though he bent to the political correctness of the day! a Quote from the wikipedia page says:

“In all four gospel accounts, Pilate lobbies for Jesus to be spared his eventual fate of execution, and acquiesces only when the crowd refuses to relent. He thus seeks to avoid personal responsibility for the death of Jesus.”

Because of the throngs of people…and the inevitable cry of the Jews:”we have no king but Ceasar…” John 19:15…Pilate had to keep the peace.

I think his writing on the sign over Jesus’ head was his own attempt to state that he was guiltless in this.

Jesus Of Nazareth The King Of The Jews.

Another great thing was that it was written in Latin, Hebrew and Greek – all of the major languages of the day.
On THAT day – there were Jews from all over – Passover in Jerusalem…and sellers that wanted to make money on the Jews that were attending Passover. PILATE DECLARED JESUS’ TITLE TO ALL OF THE WORLD!

Did he believe? No, I don’t think so. Yet, he was an instrument in God’s hand!

In researching this sign in order to paint it for this cross, I sought out several resources.
Wikipedea has a great basic explanation of the Sign over Jesus on the Cross.

I also found this image:

Which comes from a blog by Mark Lambert, De Omnibus Dibutandum Est.

I cannot say anymore than this man has said – and the break out of the sign, and the implications and the meanings are nothing more than intensely amazing and worshipful.

I humbly suggest that you read this blog as well!
Another image from Mr Lambert’s blog, just to whet your appetite:

Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Jesus is the King of the Jews, and the gentiles!
Jesus is worthy of being Lord of All!
God used Pontius Pilate to declare that, as dear sweet Jesus gave His life for the sins of all mankind!

Jesus asks : Whom do you say that I am?
I want to say with Peter – You are the Christ – the Son of the Living God!
Matthew 16:15-16, Mark 8:28-29, Luke 19:20-21, John 6:68-69

I ask you, Whom do YOU say that HE is?
If you don’t know the King of Kings – please take time to check out the following links.

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Music – worship and Prayer
King of My Heart – Sarah McMillan
He’s a Wonder – CeCe Winans

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

2018 Lent day 4 – 2/17 -riding the donkey

Lent Week One

We have created a facebook group to follow and discuss, please join! – 40 days of Lent!

Lent Day 4 – donkey!

King of Kings (Majesty) by Jared Cooper
King of Kings (He’s Wonder) – CeCe Winans

I think everyone knows the childrens Bible song –

King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Glory – Hallelujah 2x
Jesus, Prince of Peace, Glory, Hallelujah – 2x

I could not find an official youtube video – so, for this one, you are on your own!

These songs probably give away the focus on the donkey!

WHY A DONKEY???
quoted from Got Questions – why would a King ride a donkey:

In the ancient Middle Eastern world, leaders rode horses if they rode to war, but donkeys if they came in peace. First Kings 1:33 mentions Solomon riding a donkey on the day he was recognized as the new king of Israel. Other instances of leaders riding donkeys are Judges 5:10; 10:4; 12:14; and 2 Samuel 16:2.
The mention of a donkey in Zechariah 9:9-10 fits the description of a king who would be “righteous and having salvation, gentle.” Rather than riding to conquer, this king would enter in peace.

Jesus did NOT come as a ruling King, but as Prince of Peace – to pay the price to set HIS people free, so that WE could enter in to HIS Kingdom!

Scripture:

Luke 19:28-35 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Triumphal Entry
28 When He had said these things, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29 As He approached Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of the disciples
30 and said, “Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a young donkey tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here.
31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say this: ‘The Lord needs it.’”
32 So those who were sent left and found it just as He had told them. 33 As they were untying the young donkey, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the donkey?”
34 “The Lord needs it,” they said.
35 Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their robes on the donkey, they helped Jesus get on it.

Matthew gives us a bit of an explaination:

Matthew 21:4-5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4 This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:
5 Tell Daughter Zion,
“Look, your King is coming to you,
gentle, and mounted on a donkey,
even on a colt,
the foal of a beast of burden.”[a]

Remember that Jesus had said that he had nothing…foxes have dens but I have no where to lie my head.
But when he was in need of something – it was provided! Without question! Notice that they were told “if you are asked, just say ‘The Lord needs it’ and they will give it to you.” That is exactly how it happened!

I am so thankful for the explanation that Jesus was on a donkey BECAUSE he was a KING coming in PEACE. This was the KING’S triumphal entry. We’ll discuss more of the triumphal entry on Lent day 5(the Monday after Lenten Sunday 1)

He came IN PEACE – not as a warrior.

John 14:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Jesus’ Gift of Peace
27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.

Prince of Peace is WHO HE is – and we can look back to the great Christmas verse to see of what kind of King he was going to come:

Isaiah 9:6-7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 For a child will be born for us,
a son will be given to us,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 The dominion will be vast,
and its prosperity will never end.
He will reign on the throne of David
and over his kingdom,
to establish and sustain it
with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.

Christmas is the beginning of the Resurrection Sunday story! He has always been King of Kings and Lord of Lords, but his Kingdom had no citizens – until HE came down, lived as a man, and died as GOD on our behalf – Psalm 68:18 talks about him ascending and taking captives with him. I’m not sure of the theology here, but I think that these captives were the ones that were waiting in Abraham’s bosom for Jesus to come and pay the price – and when he ascended – the work was done, and they were ushered into the presence of GOD!

He is our PEACE – Ephesians 2:14 is talking about reconciling two people groups – but even more so, Christ reconciled us – tore down the dividing wall between US and our HOLY GOD!
He preached Peace to US! Ephesians 2:17

I wrote about Peace in Advent #17. He gives us PEACE because HE IS PEACE!

Our King of Kings and Lord of Lords, entered into the city, knowing that HE was going to purchase OUR Peace with God by dying on a cross. That is worth praising Him for!
 

Let’s worship:
Your are Holy (Prince of Peace )- Michael W Smith
Lord of Lords – Hillsong
King of Kings and Lord of Lords – Don Moen

 
I want these to be family activities – therefore, I am going to attempt to give links to free coloring pages. Bible Kinds Fun Zone has a set of Palm Sunday color pages, with a cute donkey! Free to print for your family!

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.