Two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, those in authority were looking for a way to arrest Jesus and kill him. Jesus was in Bethany and other people were present when a woman brought a jar of perfume made with pure nard. This was the best and most expensive perfumed oil that money could buy. People began complaining that she anointed Jesus with…..
Jesus is still teaching in the temple area, as he spoke with the leaders of the temple and with those whom the leaders sent to him, other people came to listen as well. After teaching about the greatest commandments Jesus asked them all a question. “How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David?” (Mark 12:35) He continues to speak about…..
As soon as Jesus finished talking with the Sadducees about the rising (the resurrection) a teacher of the law came and asked him which of all the commandments was the most important one. (This story is found Mark 12:28-34)
Christians are very familiar with his answer – he answered love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Then said…..
After Jesus taught about what to give to Caesar and what to give to God he was approached by the Sadducees. This story is recorded in Mark 12:18-24.
The Sadducees were a group of people who said there isn’t a resurrection. They all asked Jesus about marital relationships on earth and at the time of the resurrection (which they didn’t even believe in). Interesting…..
In the temple area, after Jesus told those in authority the Parable of the Tenants they tried to find a way to arrest him, but fearing the people who were in favor of Jesus they left. Then they sent some other people to try to trap Jesus by his own words. This story is found in Mark 12:13-17.
The Pharisees were leaders especially concerned about…..
Today, the lesson is in Mark 12:1-12. I’ve been blogging about the lessons Jesus taught between his entry in Jerusalem and the Last Supper with his disciples. These teachings still have some relevancy today. Yesterday we saw how the leaders in the temple claimed ignorance to a question Jesus asked them. Because they claimed ignorance Jesus wouldn’t answer their question and then he continued on with a…..
Jesus’ teaching continued on in Jerusalem – so far first they walked past the fig tree, then Jesus stayed with friends in Bethany, then Jesus cleared the temple and then they left the temple and the city (probably stayed with friends again) and went past that fig tree again. “Read my post The Next Thing Jesus Did” to read about the fig tree and…..
I’ve been thinking about yesterday’s post “A Teaching in the Temple Area.” It seems this teaching is as much about making room in our hearts and minds for the inclusion of people who are different than us. It seems that so often people are fighting for inclusion. Everyone has a need for acceptance. If we can’t make room in our hearts and minds to include other people into our lives, how…..
After Jesus said “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ He and those with him entered the temple area in Jerusalem. I told you we had discussed the fig tree lesson at a quiet day several years ago. I remember having asked if Jesus and his disciples were still hungry when they entered the temple area. Did he drive out the people who were buying and selling…..
When Jesus came into Jerusalem he went to the temple, but it was late so he went to stay with friends for the evening. The next day he and his disciples were leaving there and we don’t often hear anyone talk about the about the fig tree, but it was important enough to place into the Scriptures so there must be a lesson to this, correct? And perhaps there…..