As the leaves of the fig tree here concealed the fact there was no fruit to enjoy, so the magnificence of the Temple conceals the fact that Israel has not produced the fruit of righteousness expected by God. Both incidents are prophetic warnings of the wrath to fall upon Israel for honoring God with their lips when their heart was far from Him. The passion of Jesus brings both salvation and judgment.

Mark’s Gospel has been described as a passion narrative with a lengthy introduction. Seen traditionally, Mark places the arrival into Jerusalem on Sunday, cursing of the fig tree and clearing the Temple on Monday, final conspiracy and anointing on Wednesday, Passover and arrest on Thursday evening, trial and crucifixion on Friday, and resurrection on the following Sunday. Here the Messiah enters His capital city in clear fulfillment of OT prophecy.

Christmas was never meant to be a stand-alone event in history. The Nativity bookends God’s miracle of incarnation with the events of Easter. The historical parallels bring the story full circle and reveal a divine plan of redemption that was never in doubt. Christmas pushes us toward Easter; and Easter draws our minds back to Christmas. This is the story of Salvation!

Since before the intrusion of sin into the world, God’s desire has been to be in personal relationship with men and women created in His image. After sin occurs, His impulse is still to be with us, even when that requires a cosmic sacrifice on His part to secure a place for us in His presence. The entire story arc of the Bible is the unfolding of this advent impulse, His intention to come to us in a way we can understand and to secure fellowship for eternity.

Jesus continues to unveil coming events with ever increasing detail. While these teachings are clearly turning the minds of the disciples toward eternity, their unfortunate response is still concerned with status and position. The final reminder they need before arriving in Jerusalem is found in the enthusiasm of new faith…so also for Evergreen!

Contemporary American Christianity has an obsession with wealth and prosperity. This preoccupation is the result of misunderstanding precisely what discipleship requires. The breathtaking expectation for Jesus-followers confronts dramatically the only man mentioned in the Gospels who went away sad from the presence of Jesus.

Family life in every generation is a special target of the enemies of God. Marriage is intended as a model for the gospel and children are fresh reminders of the image of God impressed on every living soul. Accordingly, Jesus takes marriage and children seriously, even personally. Shouldn’t the Church be devoted to the same priorities as our Lord?

As Jesus continues instruction on discipleship in light of His upcoming rejection and death, He now confronts the selfish ambition and envy found within His own small group of disciples. Mark collects a variety of related sayings in this chapter in order to summarize the critical importance of adopting the standards of Jesus for the life of faith.