This Sunday in the Gospel account of

Mark we encounter Jesus’ first actions

in what would end up being the last

week of his earthly ministry. Jerusalem

is not a friendly place for Jesus.

Jerusalem represented the epicenter

of religious life for the Jews and already

throughout his ministry, Jesus has been

shown to be a threat to the status quo

religiosity of his day. The eager crowds

who surrounded him on the hills of

Galilee have been replaced by hostile

or indifferent masses among the city

streets of Jerusalem. In Mark 11:12 -25(26),

we are told three brief stories that hold

profound meaning for us as individual

believers and as the church. From these

stories we discover:

1. Foliage without fruitfulness is folly.

2. Money without ministry is mercenary

3. Faith (in God) without forgiveness is phony.

Join us this week as we continue our reading of the Gospel according to Mark 11:12-25(26).