What Jesus Did

[Jesus continued the story:] "But the tenant farmers said to one another, 'Here comes the heir to this estate. Let's kill him and get the estate for ourselves!' So they grabbed him and murdered him and threw his body out of the vineyard."

—Mark 12:7-8 NLT

Key Thought


"We want it for ourselves!" In essence, that's what the farmers in the vineyard were saying. It's also what so many others — including most of us at one time or another — have said. We don't want to have to...

 

[Jesus continued the story:] "The owner then sent another servant, but [the tenants] insulted him and beat him over the head. The next servant he sent was killed. Others he sent were either beaten or killed, until there was only one left — his son whom he loved dearly. The owner finally sent him, thinking, 'Surely they will respect my son.'"

—Mark 12:4-6 NLT

Key Thought


As this story of Jesus unfolds, we begin to get the picture. The owner of the vineyard (God) had sent...

 

Then Jesus began teaching them with stories: "A man planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers grabbed the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed."

—Mark 12:1-3 NLT

Key Thought


The symbols in this...

 

Then Jesus began teaching them with stories: ...

—Mark 12:1 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus knew the power of special stories — often called parables. He used them frequently to help convey deep messages that he wanted his followers to remember. These stories would lodge in the minds of the people who heard them. Jesus' lessons would be recalled as they saw the images from the stories in everyday life. We must never underestimate the importance of stories to convey the truth of...

 

[Jesus asked,] "Did John's authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!"
[The Jewish leaders] talked it over among themselves. "If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn't believe John. But do we dare say it was merely human?" For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet. So they finally replied, "We don't know."

And Jesus responded, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I do these things."...

 

"I'll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question," Jesus replied. "Did John's authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!"

—Mark 11:29-30 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus didn't try to defend his authority. It would be amply demonstrated. In fact, he had already demonstrated it throughout his ministry by casting out demons, healing people with diseases, and speaking with the power and wisdom of God himself. If his...

 

Again [Jesus and the disciples] entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. They demanded, "By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?"

—Mark 11:27-28 NLT

Key Thought


The apparent religious leaders demanded that Jesus, the true spiritual leader, answer their questions about his authority! Before Jesus' crucifixion and...

 

[Jesus continued,] "I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."

—Mark 11:24-26 NLT

Key Thought


God is lavish with his forgiveness! Aren't we glad? However, just as God is lavish with forgiveness, he is also adamant about our forgiving others. What Jesus says should chill us...

 

Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart."

—Mark 11:22-23 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus did a spectacular miracle in withering the fig tree with his command (Mark 11:12-14, 20-21). Now, Jesus wants his followers to understand that they can do amazing things too, if they...

 

The next morning as [Jesus and the disciples] passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, "Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!"

—Mark 11:20-21 NLT

Key Thought


God spoke, and the world was created. There is great power in the words of God! Jesus comes as God's presence among us. His words have great power. He...