What Jesus Did

[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...

 

[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 live...

 

The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door [as Jesus had said they would]. As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it.

—Mark 11:4-6 NLT

Key Thought​

"The LORD needs it and will return it soon." That's what Jesus' followers told the bystanders when untying the colt. They were permitted to take it...

 

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 story...

 

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 God. Not...

 

[Jesus asked,] "Did ###'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 ###. But do we dare say it was merely human?" For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that ### 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 ###'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 opponents...

 

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 resurrection...

 

[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 to our...

 

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. [1] Now, Jesus wants his followers to understand that they can do amazing things too, if they will truly believe. Bottom...