The Capstone (Cornerstone)

Mark 12:1-12
July 26, 2015, 4th Holy day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Disputes with the chief priests and the teachers of the law went on. The parable told by the Lord reveals what kind of man he is.

Firstly, the Lord is the one who leads us. The owner made a lot of preparations so that the vine trees would bear fruit. We wonder how much of preparations had been made in order that we were saved!

Secondly, the Lord is the one who bears. The farmers became enemies against the owner and even killed his servant. Nevertheless, the owner had compassion on them and kept bearing. The Lord did bear for us, the foolish ones.

Thirdly, the Lord is the one who is greatly filled with love. Finally, the owner sent his son. That was because he had such compassion on them and loved them. God sent Christ, his one and only son, for us. Since the Lord died as the substitute, we are able to be saved just by believing.

He, who was such rejected by people, has become the capstone. When we trust on this man, we never get disappointed. Let us put this wonderful Lord in the center of our mind and walk.

<The Verse of the Bible>

Haven't you read this scripture "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;

Mark 12:10 (NIV)

By What Authority?

Mark 11:27-33
July 19, 2015, 3rd Holy day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

The chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to Jesus and asked him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" What do we learn from today's passage?

The first is the importance to open our hearts to the truth. They were thinking evil to attack Jesus. Their hearts were not opened to the truth. We cannot get anything if we don't open our hearts and listen to the truth when we hear it.

The second is the importance to fear of God rather than man. They couldn't answer the question given from Jesus because they were fearing of man. If we fear of man, we shall be bounded by many things. On the contrary, when we fear of God, we shall get free and be freed.

The third is the importance to repent. They did not repent when they heard. That was why they didn't get changed. It is important for us to repent immediately when we hear from the Lord.

By what authority are we walking? It is the authority of God that we can trust in. Let us be such ones who always obey the authority of God and walk.

<The Verse of the Bible>

"By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?"

Mark 11:28

The Prayer Lesson

Mark 11:19-26
July 12, 2015, 2nd Holy day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Here, Jesus taught the disciples about prayer. What are important when praying?

Firstly, to have faith in the Lord and pray. The Lord said that if one has faith and prays, even a mountain would move. He also said that one should not doubt but pray. What the Lord hopes is that our faith is strengthened.

Secondly, to pray as the Lord pleases. It's all right to pray our wish, still we should ask what the Lord pleases because we Christians know what the Lord pleases is the best.

Thirdly, to walk so as to please the Lord. Here especially, the Lord told about human relationships. The Lord said that we had our sins forgiven by Him so that we should forgive others that is when our prayers would be blessed. Do we have anything revealed to our mind?

The reason the Lord gave this prayer lesson was that He wanted to bless the disciples. It's the same even now. Let us repent and give blessed prayers.

<The Verse of the Bible>

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 11:24 (NIV)