Village Community Church. Podcast (Ajax, Ontario. Canada)

Have you ever run your guts out to catch that bus (or train or plane) only to have the door closed on you? You got close – so close – but you didn't get on. Close to the bus, is ultimately, not on the bus!

Jesus is in Jerusalem the week of the Passover and the religious leaders attempt to trick and challenge Jesus. Some of them are clearly far from Jesus, seeking to sabotage him, but others are "not far from the Kingdom of God."

Are you distant? not far? or in the Kingdom where Jesus is King?

Coming back to Jerusalem, Jesus is confronted by the city leaders who demand to know his authorization. Jesus doesn't have the appearance or credentials of a leader they are expecting, but he doesn't bend to their questioning. How did Jesus command such authority and power, and what does it mean for his followers today?

Every once in a while, we run into situations that we don't understand or can't explain. It can happen frequently when we cross cultures. We can find ourselves asking, "What's happening here? What does this mean? I don't get it!?"

The day after his first visit to Jerusalem, Jesus finds a fig tree with leaves but no fruit. He curses it and goes into the temple with his disciples, flipping over the temple market and throwing everyone out. Then Jesus declares the temple’s purpose and leaves again. The next morning the disciples find the withered fig tree and Jesus teaches them about prayer.

What's happening here? What does this mean for onlookers at the temple two thousand years ago and what does it mean for us today?

**NB Point #4 is cut off. Our apologies**

Jesus is on the move. In chapter eleven of Mark, we reach Jerusalem – the holy, beloved city of Israel. His entrance is king-like. At once he fulfills the prophecies of the Hebrew scriptures hundreds of years old and subverts the contemporary Roman expectations of conquering kings.

But after all the fanfare, he leaves Jerusalem as quickly as he entered. Is he the king the crowds were expecting? Is he the king you are expecting?

We've been on a road trip with Jesus and the disciples with Jerusalem fast approaching.

Jesus tells them a third time that he will suffer and die on a cross and again, they show that they do not understand. Blinded by the ways of the world (tyranny through social, political and economic power), we are left wondering if there is any hope for them, or us.

There is hope, and it is with no little insignificance that it comes through the healing of a blind beggar.

**NB** The audio cutting out is resolved around the 8-minute mark.

The good life. Some people just have it, don't they? It's a sign of blessing, a sign of prosperity, a sign of they got everything going right where they are.

It's as true today as it was when Jesus walked along the way with his disciples in a final journey towards Jerusalem. So when they encounter a rich (not middle-class) young (not old) ruler (not working for someone else) they encounter someone who has the good life. He's a prime candidate to join the Jesus movement.

How Jesus responds and what this young man does shocks the disciples and one more time, shakes the paradigm of who they think Jesus is:

"Who then can be saved?"

You might be surprised to know that divorce (the "D" word) was a big deal in Jesus' day. His friend and forerunner, John the Baptizer, was executed because he dared to speak up about the unlawful divorce local ruler Herod used to then marry his sister-in-law.

Knowing it was a controversial matter, the religious leaders try to trap Jesus by asking him about divorce. But Jesus brilliantly responds and in doing so has much to say to our 21st-century divorce-and-anything-goes ethics as it did to his 1st-century audience.

Buckle up. Hold on. Jesus, the teacher, the rabbi, the Messiah is gathering his followers and class is in session.

Up until now, it was preaching to many. From here, preparing the few.

Up until now, it was healing through the gospel. From here, suffering for those who believe.

Up until now, it was inviting sinners in for free. From here, it will cost you everything.

At the end of our last section, Jesus says something puzzling: “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” (Mark 9:1)

We pick up the story as Jesus goes to the top of a mountain with a few disciples who witness an awesome transformation. What does this mean? Are they witnessing "the kingdom of God after it has come with power"? Who is this Jesus?

These days, to 'follow' someone is as easy as a click. Instantly we see pictures and stories of our favourite celebrities and personalities. We know them...we think.

Jesus is also after followers. In Mark 8 we hear that he invites anyone and everyone, but the entrance is much greater than a swipe or a clip. He asks people to deny themselves, to lay down their lives and to treasure him above all.

Are you a follower of Jesus?