Jesus Came with Heaven's Authority (Mark 11:27-33)

August 24, 2023 Nate Holdridge

When Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem and passed the same fig tree that Jesus had cursed the day before, Peter saw that it had withered from the roots. Shocked, he pointed it out to Jesus.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree (Mark 11:19-26)

August 17, 2023 Nate Holdridge

Adopt a Temple Theology (Mark 11:12-18)

August 10, 2023 Nate Holdridge

Through Jesus’ expression of righteous anger by overthrowing the tables in the temple, he demonstrated how important it was for the temple to be kept holy. How does this apply to us today? We must adopt a temple theology. Let me explain.

Jesus' Righteous Anger (Mark 11:12-21)

August 3, 2023 Nate Holdridge

In the passage before us, Jesus cursed a fig tree and overturned tables. He did not normally behave this way. Jesus did not customarily use miraculous power in destructive ways, but in ways that led to healing, feeding, deliverance, and resurrection. Jesus was about giving life. And when we imagine—really imagine—tables and chairs clanging to the ground while travel and trading are stopped, we are also concerned. Jesus often rebuked the way of the religionists of his day, but not like this.

Blind Beggar Turned Disciple (Mark 10:46-52)

June 1, 2023 Nate Holdridge

As they journeyed to Jerusalem where Jesus would face the events of the cross, he and the disciples passed through Jericho (46). On their way out of town, a crowd gathered around them. It was almost time for the Passover, and many priests lived in Jericho, so the road would have been packed with travelers and well-wishers. And there was a buzz surrounding this Galilean rabbi.

The Kingdom, pt. 3: God Rewards Life There (Mark 10:28-30)

May 4, 2023 Nate Holdridge

In this third and final post on Mark 10:17-31, Peter thought about what he'd just witnessed. Jesus had challenged a wealthy young man to sell everything and follow him. The task was too tall, and the young man departed. The rich young ruler hadn't left everything, but Peter realized he and the other disciples had. And he felt he had to tell Jesus about it—*just saying, Jesus*.

The Kingdom, pt. 2: You Cannot Enjoy It Without God's Help (Mark 10:23-27)

April 27, 2023 Nate Holdridge

In our previous post in Mark, we saw the rich young ruler leave Jesus because he loved his possessions. Once the man went away in sorrow, Jesus spoke to his disciples (23). He ruminated on the hindrance wealth can be, keeping someone from entering the kingdom (23, 25). He said it is difficult to enter the kingdom of God! (24). It's hard enough as it is, but wealth creates a whole other obstacle.

The Kingdom, pt. 1: Jesus Must Be First (Mark 10:17-22)

April 20, 2023 Nate Holdridge

Our story begins with a man desperate for Jesus. The other gospels tell us he was a young local ruler (Matthew 19:20, Luke 18:18). Even though he had wealth and power, he felt something was missing. And he suspected Jesus had the answers. He was desperate for help, so he ran and knelt before the Lord (17). "Good teacher," he asked Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" (17).

Kingdom Kids, pt.3: We Should Know The Kingdom Is Received With Childlike Faith (Mark 10:15-16)

April 13, 2023 Nate Holdridge

I've read and heard many (contradictory) interpretations of what Jesus meant. Scholars and pastors run wild with the child analogy Jesus used. I understand. Talking up children's innocence, spontaneity, eagerness, or joy is tempting. And children are incredible—gifts from God—but Jesus wasn't praising a virtue he saw in children. As someone once said, "There are two types of people in the world. Those who think mankind is essentially good at the core, and those who have a toddler."