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Mark 11: The King is Coming

by Bob Young
[permission is given to reprint with credit noted]

Today's Bible Reading: Mark 11

Selected Biblical Text
4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" 10 "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. (Mark 11:4-11 NIV)

Reflecting and Thinking
The King is coming! The King has come! The story of the Triumphal Entry solidifies the identity of Jesus -- the One who has all authority has come. Every story in today's chapter relates to that authority. Jesus demonstrates his authority in the temple cleansing, in the teaching which follows the withering of the fig tree, and in the answers given when his authority is questioned. He acts with the authority of the Father who validated him as the Beloved Son at the Transfiguration. The identity of Jesus has been clearly declared. That claim -- that Jesus is the Son of God -- is ultimately what the Jewish authorities cannot allow to stand. If Jesus is who he claims to be, that changes everything!

How has the identity of Jesus, that fact that he is who he claims to be, changed your life? How will it change your life today? How might it change your life tomorrow as you seek to follow him more closely? What would it mean for you to follow him in service and ministry? What would it mean for you to follow him in sacrifice on behalf of others?

Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the salvation that is available to us in Jesus. Thank you for his sacrifice. Thank you for giving him the authority to handle life, and thus the ability to handle the problems of our lives. Thank you for the message and encouragement we are receiving in this reading of Mark's Gospel. May it change us and remake us more and more into faithful followers of Jesus. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.


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Last updated January 2019