Opposites in the Kingdom of God

There is persecution, not honor, in Christianity for those who follow Jesus. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. The ambition and hierarchy of the church is an anathema to Christ. One is your Teacher, even Christ.

To begin the path to salvation, "Believe Jesus is who He says He is." 

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87: Jesus Replies To The Request Of John And James

Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45

Two of Jesus’ disciples, John and James, the sons of Zebedee, came to him, saying:

            “Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we

shall desire.”

            Jesus answered:

            “What would ye that I should do for you?”

            James and John replied:

            “Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.”

            Jesus answered them, saying:

            “Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

            The two disciples replied:

            “We can.”

            Jesus said to them:

            “Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with. But to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.”

            The other ten disciples were displeased with James and John, because of this request. But Jesus called them all to him and said:

            “Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister; and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

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88: Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

Matthew 9:27-31, 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43

As Jesus and his followers left Jericho, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat at the side of the road, begging.

            Hearing the multitude going by, Bartimaeus inquired why the crowd had assembled. He was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing.

            So Bartimaeus raised his voice and cried out:

            “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.”

            Many rebuked him and told him to keep quiet, but he cried out even louder:

            “Thou son of David, have mercy on me.”

            Jesus stopped and asked that Bartimaeus be brought to him. The blind man arose from the ground and went toward Jesus when some sympathetic persons had said to him:

            “Be of good comfort. Rise. He calleth thee.”

            Jesus asked Bartimaeus:

            “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?”

            The blind man replied:

            “Lord, that I might receive my sight.”

            Thereupon Jesus said to him:

            “Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.”

            Immediately his sight was restored. He glorified God and followed after Jesus. The people, when they saw this miracle, praised God.