What Jesus Did! 'Looking Over the Temple' — Mark 11:11

Sunday, August 11, 2024

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

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

  • Jeremiah 7:1-11
  • Hebrews 11:13-16
  • Hebrews 13:14

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 11:11 NLT — 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.

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

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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