TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” Mark 11:9-10
Read: Mark 11:1-11
Listen: Mark 11
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus’ earthly life is ending. He triumphantly enters Jerusalem on Sunday for the Passover celebration to cries of “Hosanna!” The people believe he is coming to expel Rome and reestablish the kingdom of Israel. But things will be dramatically different over the course of the next five days. What he does at the temple on Monday, and says on Tuesday, will get him killed on Friday.
Imagine entering the temple with Jesus and seeing crowds of Jews swarming in to get what they need to sacrifice. Hear the jingling of money exchanging to buy sacrificial animals. Hear the brays and squawks amid the yells of people pushing through. Into this organized chaos of swirling dust, sounds and smells comes Jesus with an extraordinary message of change. He has come to open doors that have been closed, and the eyes of God’s people who are missing the point.
With its multitude of rites and traditions, the temple has become a barrier to knowing the God who desires to be known. Jesus has come to be the new doorway to God and his eternal Kingdom. He has come to replace the building with a person.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Begin the week with a prayer of dedication, “Father God, please show me the things in my life that have gotten in the way of knowing and serving you. Show me how I am missing the point.“
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
