Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still… and know that I am God"

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 9:12-13

The Pharisees apparently followed Jesus around, trying to find something wrong with what He was doing and some of the answers He gave to their questions and complaints are priceless. I can imagine them walking away, grumbling about that know-it-all, smart aleck, Jesus. Read the rest of this entry »

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. Matthew 9:9

I can imagine Matthew’s relatives and friends reaction to him giving up his good job and life and following Jesus. Read the rest of this entry »

And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? Matthew 9:4

I think the first part of this verse is a reality we often forget; Jesus knows our every thought. Read the rest of this entry »

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26

This is one of those scenes that is somewhat amusing to me. I picture Jesus—exhausted and finally getting some rest—and here come the disciples, climbing over each other to get to Him, babbling about the storm and the boat being swamped; like a twelve stooges movie. Read the rest of this entry »

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Matthew 7:24-25

If you’ve been reading these encouragements since I began writing them over three years ago, you may have noticed occasional contradictions. I admit, I may say things now that don’t agree with things I said before. It’s called learning, and learning tends to change the mind of the learner. Read the rest of this entry »

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:23

I cannot imagine Jesus looking me in the eye and saying, “I never knew you: depart from me.” But that is exactly what He will do if we are not sincere in our love for the Father. We can do all manner of sinning, and we will be forgiven, but if we lie about our love for, and belief in, God, we are doomed. Read the rest of this entry »

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

God will not be fooled; merely professing to believing Jesus is our savior is not enough. Is Jesus saying we have to do something in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven? Read the rest of this entry »