The Vineyard- January 22, 2012

The Vineyard

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Mark 11:1-19

-  Jesus enters town riding a colt.  This was according to what had been prophesied about the Messiah.  How does Jesus entry on a colt, unarmed, compare to the way that He entered the world?

-          -   The Temple authorities took the space that was supposed to be open for Gentiles to worship, and turned it into a market.  What would cause them to think that preventing others from worshipping was an ok thing to do?

       -  At the end of the passage, it says Jesus looked around, or surveyed the Temple area.  They weren’t aware of it, but God had shown up to His Temple in a very unexpected way.  What do you think God sees when He sees our worship, and how we live our lives?  Is He pleased, or displeased?

Luke 4:14-30

-   Jesus emerged from Satan’s efforts to tempt Him strong in the Spirit.  How do we emerge from trials and temptations stronger than we were before? 

- One minute the people of Nazareth were amazed at Jesus, the next they were enraged at Him.  Why do you think it was so hard for them to accept who He was?

- The people try to kill Jesus here, but he simply walks away.  If Jesus can chose the time and place of His death, and even whether to die at all, what does it tell you that He chose the cross?