Champions are Challenged

Based on Mark 11-12, Psalm 64

No one can be a champion if he or she is not willing to be challenged. We do not win if we don't face a battle. A champion is not one who avoids the hard things, but one who faces them! Jesus was & is the TRUE CHAMPION! All throughout these chapters and many others, we see how Jesus victoriously faced persecution head-on with God's Word-and He won EVERY time! He did not avoid the challengers. He let them say their opinion, then gave them the TRUTH!

These couple chapters start off with Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. There were many people that were excited to see Jesus, but there were also challengers awaiting to question Him.

"And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me." Mark 11:28-30.

The chief priests, scribes & elders were not able to answer Jesus because they did not know who they feared more-God or people. They weren't sure what they believed. It was pretty much pride which kept them from truly believing who Jesus was. They cared about the authority He had because they cared about their own positions too much.

"And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things." Mark 11:33.

"Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours." Mark 12:6‭-‬7.

In this parable, Jesus talks about several servants sent to a vineyard. They all were severely abused or killed by the husbabdmen. The man finally sent his own son, thinking certainly he would be treated better. But he wasn't, in fact, being the son, he was killed for his inheritance! Jesus comes to give us eternal life through obedience to His Word & true love toward Him, yet the challengers completely missed the point, like these husbandmen!

"And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation."
Mark 12:38‭-‬40.

We can't miss the point! We can't do things for God only to see how we will benefit in the end. Jesus is the true Champion! He faced His challengers, and most of all, He changed hearts. We have to be sure that we are willing to change our hearts and cast out pride, that we may be able to stand up to those who challenge us. When we humbly rely on God's Word, we will never lose!

"And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory." Psalms 64:9‭-‬10.