TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” Mark 11:27-28
Read: Mark 11:27-33, Mark 12:1-12
Listen: Mark 11, Mark 12
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus and his disciples arrive in Jerusalem and head to the temple courts. The last time Jesus was in the temple, he caused quite the uproar turning over moneychangers’ tables and dove sellers’ benches. The chief priests are not happy and want to give him a piece of their mind. They ask, “By what authority are you doing these things?” In other words, “Who do you think you are?” Rather than run, Jesus escalates the situation when he asks a question they can’t answer, further solidifying the religious elites wanting Jesus gone.
If anyone is open to hearing from God, it should be the religious leaders. Yet they are convinced they know best and have no interest in learning from Jesus. Instead, they move to silence Jesus due to their fear, desire for control and lack of respect.
It is easy for us to judge the attitudes in these religious leaders but hard to identify the same attitudes in our hearts. Like the religious leaders, we might think we have nothing more to learn. We might attend church every week, participate in a small group and spend regular time in God’s Word—but our hearts are not open to hearing from God in these spaces. We might need to work on recognizing our need for God to listen well to what he has to say.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Where do you see any of the chief priests’ attitudes in your heart? Examine if you are open to truly listening to God’s authority in your life. Make a list and then determine 1-3 steps to open your heart to recognize God’s authority and learn more.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
GALATIANS 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
