Most of us think of teaching as verbally explaining truths. Sometimes that is the case, but Jesus takes two different tactics to convey truths to those around him. First, in this passage he uses the metaphor of the fig tree. The people of God are called to bear fruit; Jesus rebukes a tree for not bearing fruit and curses it. This is a metaphor for Israel and the temple-- it isn't bearing fruit as it is called, and therefore, Jesus rebukes it. This will culminate in the destruction of the temple and fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

It is finally here. Jesus has been traveling towards Jerusalem since chapter eight, and now he makes his entrance. The rest of the book (approximately 38% of it) will be dedicated to the final week of the mission. Mark wants us to know where the focus of Jesus' ministry lies. In this section, Jesus rides into town proclaiming his kingship. Riding on a humble donkey is fulfillment of prophecy concerning the coming king in Zechariah 9:9. "Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

In this passage, Jesus is in Jericho, which is about 15-20 miles from Jerusalem. This healing is the last one recorded in this gospel and the final event in Mark before Jesus enters the city; that means in just over a week, Jesus will change the world by his death and resurrection. Additionally, this timing means that that the Jewish holiday of Passover is right around the corner. You can imagine that the roads are probably packed with people making their way to Jerusalem to worship. In addition to the pilgrims, there is a man named Bartimaeus who will stop at nothing to be healed.

Repetition is a way of showing importance. Most likely, the things that you say over and over to your kids are the things you are most zealous about. For the third time, Jesus declares his purpose: to go to Jerusalem and be killed. And this time, he goes into further detail than before; he will be mocked, spit upon, flogged and killed. But he never forgets to leave out the fact that after three days, he will rise.

We all at some point ask what we must do to inherit eternal life. The big idea is this: we can't. It is only what Jesus has done that grants eternal life. Jesus calls us to place our faith in him and in him alone.

Children are gifts from our Father above and they are also pictures of how we approach him. Jesus loved children. We are likewise called to love children, and not just our own. At Stone's Throw, we value kids because Jesus values them.

Children are gifts from our Father above and they are also pictures of how we approach him. Jesus loved children. We are likewise called to love children, and not just our own. At Stone's Throw, we value kids because Jesus values them.

Our dreams, pursuits, goals, actions, objectives, thoughts, plans, indeed our whole lives, are spent centered on seeking happiness. Jesus tells us that unless we are willing to cut off all things that cause sin, we will not experience true happiness with him forever.

Our natural inclination in all things is to be the best, but the Kingdom of God has no room for those seeking their own glory. Those who would follow Jesus must come humbly, like a little child, because Jesus was the epitome of humility. He became last and was a servant to all. Likewise, we must take up our cross in a similar way and follow him.

"I believe; help my unbelief!" Have you ever felt this way? The answer should be "yes." Fortunately, we can place our weak faith in the one who loves the weak. Jesus' love isn't dependent on our current level of faith, and we err when we make faith itself the object of our faith. It's all about what Jesus has done for us.