What Jesus Did

When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done [to clear the marketplace out of the Temple], they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.
That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city.

—Mark 11:18-19 NLT

Key Thought​

We are brought to the great irony of the story that will continue to unfold: The ones who hate and want to murder Jesus are afraid of him. They won't...

 

When [Jesus and the disciples] arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves."

—Mark 11:15-17 NLT

Key...​

 

The next morning as [Jesus and the twelve disciples] were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, "May no one ever eat your fruit again!" And the disciples heard him say it.

—Mark 11:12-14 NLT

Key Thought​

What? What in the world is this about? ... Yeah, that's most people's...

 

So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

—Mark 11:11 NLT

Key Thought​

Jerusalem! The Temple! These places formed the center of Israel's religion during Jesus' day. These were the places where Jesus was rejected. In a bittersweet moment of joy and ominous anticipation, Jesus looked over these cherished places of God's...

 

Jesus was in the center of the procession [as he was riding on the donkey into Jerusalem], and the people all around him were shouting,
"Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!
Praise God in highest heaven!"

—Mark 11:9-10 NLT

Key Thought​

In the center of all of our worship, we will find Jesus. He is God who has come among us to reveal the Father's grace and truth. He is the one who...

 

Then [the disciples] brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.
Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields.

—Mark 11:7-8 NLT

Key Thought​

While an unknown owner supplied the colt on which Jesus rode, [1] many in the crowd offered their coats to welcome and honor Jesus as he came into town. Others spread branches showing their honor and respect for the Christ...

 

"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked.
"My Rabbi," the blind man said, "I want to see!"

And Jesus said to him, "Go, for your faith has healed you." Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.

—Mark 10:51-52 NLT

Key Thought​

Isn't that such a simple question that Jesus asked? Wouldn't we better serve others if we asked them questions, listened to their answers, honored their requests, and then affirmed their commitment and faith...

 

Then [Jesus] climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. [The disciples] were totally amazed, for they still didn't understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.

—Mark 6:51-52 NLT

Key Thought​

The disciples couldn't get it! Maybe they wouldn't get it! Only God could feed a multitude out of such a small collection of bread and fish. [1] Only God could still a storm and bring the boat to immediate safety at the intended...

 

As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. "Go into that village over there," he told them. "As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, 'What are you doing?' just say, 'The Lord needs it and will return it soon.'"

—Mark 11:1-3 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus knows the flow of events...

 

When Jesus heard [the blind man begging for mercy], he stopped and said, "Tell him to come here."

So they called the blind man. "Cheer up," they said. "Come on, he's calling you!" Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

—Mark 10:49-50 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus still calls to us!

1. He wants us to recognize the message of his life: He demonstrated through his ministry, "You can come to me, I will receive you, and you can have new life!"
2. He...