Mark 11 Lesson

JESUS’ FINAL DAYS ON EARTH

What emotions do you feel when you think about the crucifixion of Jesus?

Are you:  

• Sad about what happened?
• Sickenedat the way He was treated?
• Overwhelmed by the love that He showed?
• Inspiredby His perseverance and determination to complete all that He came to do?

As we read about the final days of Jesus’ time on earth, it is important for us to slow down and allow time to process our emotions.

We should not simply flip through the pages of the Bible as if reading a novel.  

As Mark talks about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we need to recognize that these are the most significant events in the history of the world! 

How blessed we are to have a written account of all that transpired for us to reflect on and learn from!

THE EMOTIONS OF JESUS

Jesus was both God and man. 

Because of this, He was able to experience many of the same emotions that we do, which allows Him to relate to our struggles.

The Apostle Paul wrote about this in his letter to the Philippians:

• “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” –Philippians 2:5-8. 

Mark devotes almost 40% of his gospel to the last week of Jesus’ life. 

During that time, Jesus experienced the most powerful emotions that humans can feel. 

As we read about the final week of Jesus’ life on earth, we need to reflect on:

1. All that He endured,
2. The emotions that He experienced,
3. And His unfailing obedience to His Father.

JESUS WAS WELCOMED INTO JERUSALEM AS A HERO

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people lined the streets and shouted:

• “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!” -Mark 11:9-10.

JESUS WAS BETRAYED BY HIS INNER CIRCLE OF FRIENDS FOR MONEY

• “Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them.   They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.” – Mark 14:10-11.

JESUS BECAME ANGRY AT THE PEOPLE MISTREATING THE TEMPLE

• “He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayerfor all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” – Mark 11:15-17. 

WHILE PRAYING IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE, JESUS EXPERIENCED A RARE CONDITION CALLED, “HEMATIDROSIS”

Hematidrosis is a condition in which capillary blood vessels that feed the sweat glands rupture, causing them to exude blood.

This occurs under conditions of extreme physical or emotional stress.  

We need to always remember the pain and suffering that Jesus endured on the cross.

Just as importantly, we also need to remember the horrific stress He experienced in the week leading up to His crucifixion.     

Despite all of the hardships and adversity that Jesus experienced, He remained obedient to His Father and continued to sacrifice Himself for the good of others. 

Jesus is the perfect example for us to follow.

CONCLUSION:

Our lives are going to get difficult sometimes.  

God uses adversity:

1. To teach us,
2. To discipline us,
3. To shape us into the people He created us to be.  

God did not spare His Son from suffering, He did not spare the Apostles, and He will not spare us. 

As Christians, we need to embrace God’s whole plan for us in good times and in bad.

In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul wrote:

• “And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5.

The hope that we have of spending eternity in Heaven is more than enough to sustain us through life’s hardships.

Meditating on God's Word gives us the wisdomthat we will need to fight off Satan's advances, and to keep everything in its proper perspective. 

Consider the following verse also written by Paul:

• “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” – Romans 8:18.

Heaven will be more beautiful than any of us can imagine!  

Those who obey the Gospel will spend eternity with God and Jesus in paradise!  

In Heaven, there will be no more:

1. Pain,
2. Suffering,
3. Or tears (Revelation 21:4).

As you read through the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, may the Spirit embolden you with the hope needed to power through any difficulties that come your way.  

Just as Jesus, our perfect example, taught us to do.    

We will end today’s lesson with the following scripture:

• “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16.