So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.
—Mark 11:11 NLT
Jerusalem! The Temple! These places formed the center of Israel's religion during Jesus' day. These were the places where Jesus was rejected. In a bittersweet moment of joy and ominous anticipation, Jesus looked over these cherished places of God's chosen people. Little did the people of Jerusalem understand that a mere forty years later, these cherished places would be destroyed. Even less did they realize that this Jesus, the one that the powerbrokers of Jerusalem tried to destroy and that Jerusalem rejected, is the Son of David. He is God's Messiah, LORD, and King. He will return in glory, honor, and power. But not on this late afternoon as he visited Jerusalem. No, Jesus simply turned and went out to Bethany with his twelve closest followers. The conflict waited to begin on another day.
O Father, please keep my heart from finding its security in a place — a city, country, or church building. May I find my refuge in you. May I find my hope in your Son. May I find my source of strength in your Spirit. As precious as some places are to me, I know that my only lasting place and lasting peace is in you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2024 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Mark 11:11 NLT
Key Thought
Jerusalem! The Temple! These places formed the center of Israel's religion during Jesus' day. These were the places where Jesus was rejected. In a bittersweet moment of joy and ominous anticipation, Jesus looked over these cherished places of God's chosen people. Little did the people of Jerusalem understand that a mere forty years later, these cherished places would be destroyed. Even less did they realize that this Jesus, the one that the powerbrokers of Jerusalem tried to destroy and that Jerusalem rejected, is the Son of David. He is God's Messiah, LORD, and King. He will return in glory, honor, and power. But not on this late afternoon as he visited Jerusalem. No, Jesus simply turned and went out to Bethany with his twelve closest followers. The conflict waited to begin on another day.
Today's Prayer
O Father, please keep my heart from finding its security in a place — a city, country, or church building. May I find my refuge in you. May I find my hope in your Son. May I find my source of strength in your Spirit. As precious as some places are to me, I know that my only lasting place and lasting peace is in you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2024 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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