The trajectory from “Hosanna” to “Crucify him” is animated by seven Temple controversies.  Jesus minces no words, pulls no punches unmasking the religious leaders as unfaithful stewards of God’s grace. And as he does, he gives us a much-needed warning. Join us as we examine Mark 12:1-12 and consider its call to take seriously faithful stewardship of God’s gifts.

Al Haig famously, but wrongly declared “I’m in control.” His faux pas is proverbial. But have we made the same error? Thinking we are the authority? Defining truth by our opinions or desires?  What if someone else is the truth? What are the consequences? Join us as we examine Mark 11:27-33 and consider the consequences of rejecting Jesus. 

The cursing of the fig tree in Mark 11 is Jesus’ only destructive miracle.  Jesus appears capricious, vindictive, petty. So much that atheist Bertrand Russell cited this story in his rejection of Christianity. How are we to understand Jesus’ action?  Join us as we examine Mark 11:12-25, the cursing of the fig tree, and the cleaning of the Temple and consider Jesus’ warning about the grave dangers of a fruitless faith.

Jesus silenced men and demons who tried to identify him.  But at the Triumphal Entry, he takes complete control of revealing himself as the greater Son of David, the Coming One, and the True King of Israel, who comes to destroy the dominion of darkness.  Join us as we examine Mark 11:1-11 and consider Jesus’ bold proclamation that he comes as the true King of Israel to defeat an enemy more deadly than Roman legions and tyrannical emperors.

Fighter pilots need exceptional depth perception. But so do followers of Jesus. The faith God grants us gives and grows a spiritual depth perception that matures us as disciples. The story of blind Bartimaeus is a remarkable illustration of this. Join us as we examine Mark 10:46-52 and consider the story of Bartimaeus and some hallmarks of growing discipleship.

One bumper sticker challenges tailgaters, “Do you follow Jesus this closely?” As a driver, following other cars too closely is perilous but as a disciple not following Jesus too closely is deadly. Join us we examine Mark 10:32-45 and see what it looks like to follow Jesus closely.

Questions about divorce & remarriage are always complicated. The Pharisees used such questions to try to trap Jesus.  But as always Jesus slipped their knots and revealed what is truly at issue when a marriage seems broken beyond repair. Join us as we examine Mark 10:1-12 and consider what is really at issue when our deepest, most intimate relationships seem irreparably broken.