Final Confrontations
Ed Rangel | Church of Christ, Waupaca, WI
Mark 11:1–11 – The Triumphal Entry
“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;”
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David;”
“Hosanna in the highest!”
Jesus enters Jerusalem not with a warhorse, but on a young colt—never ridden before, set apart for a holy purpose. The crowd lays down coats and palm branches, rolling out the red carpet for the true King. While they’re shouting for a political hero, Jesus is quietly fulfilling God’s ancient promises, step by step.
- Zech. 9:9 — Jesus rides a never-ridden colt, fulfilling prophecy of the humble King.
- 2 Kings 9:13 — Laying down garments: Israel’s way of welcoming a king.
- Psalm 118:25–26 — “Hosanna!” means “Save now!”; direct messianic shout.
- Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4) — Messiah’s arrival spot.
- No priestly welcome (v. 11) — The silence of the temple leaders foreshadows rejection.
In the ancient world, a king or sacred object used an animal never before ridden—reserved for holy moments. Jesus’ choice of a colt is a sign: He’s not just any king, He’s God’s chosen one.
Jesus doesn’t come to fit your plan—He comes to take over. If your version of Jesus always lines up with your agenda, you might be following a king of your own making.
Are you cheering for Jesus as He is, or as you wish He’d be? What happens when He doesn’t fit your script?
Real faith welcomes Jesus on His terms—not ours.
Mark 11:12–26 – The Cursed Fig Tree & Cleansing the Temple
Jesus is hungry and sees a fig tree in full leaf by the public road. But there’s no fruit—just empty promise. He curses it, then heads into the temple, where the outer court (meant for Gentiles to pray) is packed with noisy merchants. Jesus flips the tables and clears the space, quoting Isaiah and Jeremiah: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations… but you have made it a den of robbers.” The next day, the fig tree is withered from the roots up.
- Matt. 21:19 — Public fig tree: trees by the road for travelers, not private property.
- Micah 7:1 — Leaves with no fruit = false promise.
- Mark’s “sandwich” — Fig tree frames temple cleansing: both are about fruitlessness.
- Isa. 56:7 — The temple is a house of prayer for all nations.
- Jer. 7:11 — “Den of robbers”: temple as a hideout for hypocrisy.
- Mal. 3:1–3 — Messiah foretold to purify the temple.
- Withered from the roots (v. 20) — Spiritual decline starts unseen.
- Zech. 4:7; 1 Cor. 13:2 — Mountain-moving faith cross-references.
- Matt. 6:14–15 — Forgiveness and prayer are inseparable.
The fig tree wasn’t in someone’s backyard—it was by the road, for all to see. In that culture, a tree with leaves should have had edible buds, even if it wasn’t fig season. Its barrenness was a public letdown, just like Israel’s religion: lots of show, no substance. The temple’s outer court was for outsiders—Gentiles—yet it had become a marketplace, shutting out the very people God wanted to welcome.
God’s not impressed by spiritual “bling.” You can have all the right music, lights, and hype and still be empty at the core. When church becomes a business or a show, we’ve missed the point. God wants His house to be a place of prayer, open to all.
Are you all leaves and no fruit? How does your faith show up in your actions, not just your posts or playlists? What needs to be cleared out so prayer and real worship can happen?
Big prayers require big hearts. If you want God to move mountains, start by letting go of old grudges.
God expects His people to be a house of prayer for all nations—not a club for insiders. Faith isn’t a magic trick—it’s trusting God and forgiving others. Fruitlessness is a sign of unbelief, not just inactivity.
Mark 11:27–33 – The Challenge of Authority
The religious leaders corner Jesus in the temple: “By what authority are you doing these things?” Jesus flips it: “Was John’s baptism from heaven or men?” They freeze, afraid of the crowd and unwilling to admit the truth. Their real problem isn’t evidence—it’s pride.
- John’s baptism (v. 30) — “From heaven or men?”—a test of spiritual honesty.
- Deut. 18:15–22 — How to test a prophet’s authority.
- Prov. 29:25 — “Fear of man brings a snare.”
If you’re more worried about your reputation than righteousness, you’ll end up spiritually stuck. God doesn’t reveal more truth to those who ignore what He’s already shown.
When have you stayed silent about your faith to fit in? How can you honor Jesus this week even if it’s unpopular?
Mark 12:1–12 – The Parable of the Tenants
Jesus tells a story straight out of Jewish law and prophecy: God is the owner, Israel is the vineyard, the leaders are the tenants. They reject every messenger—even the Son. The warning is clear: rejecting Jesus means forfeiting your place in God’s plan.
- Isa. 5:1–7 — The vineyard is Israel; God expects fruit.
- 2 Chron. 36:15–16; Acts 7:52 — Servants = prophets sent to Israel.
- Mark 1:11; 9:7 — “Beloved Son” language.
- Psalm 118:22–23 — “The stone the builders rejected…” (see also Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7).
- Heb. 13:12–13 — The Son killed “outside the camp.”
In Jewish law, tenants who refused to give the owner his due were claiming the vineyard for themselves. The “stone the builders rejected” is Jesus, fulfilling Psalm 118. God’s patience is wild, but not endless.
You can’t claim God’s blessings but refuse His leadership. The vineyard belongs to Him, not us. Jesus isn’t a pathway to blessing—He’s the blessing.
How do you respond when God sends correction or calls you out? Do you listen, or push back?
Jesus, the rejected stone, is now the cornerstone. Everything in your life is built on how you respond to Him.
Mark 12:13–17 – The Trap About Taxes
The Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus: “Should we pay taxes to Caesar?” Jesus asks for a coin—whose image is on it? “Caesar’s.” “Then give Caesar what’s his, and give God what’s His.”
- Denarius — Roman coin with Caesar’s image (Matt. 22:19).
- Gen. 1:27 — “Render to God what is God’s”—you bear His image.
- Romans 13:1–7 — On government and taxes.
- “Render” — Greek: “to pay back a debt.”
The tax was hated—paying it felt like selling out to Rome. But Jesus isn’t playing their game. He’s saying, “Yeah, honor the government, but don’t forget you belong to God. His image is stamped on you.”
How do you live out your faith in a world that pulls your loyalty in different directions? Where does God’s claim on your life come first?
You carry God’s image. He wants more than your money—He wants your whole life.
Mark 12:18–27 – The Sadducees and the Resurrection
The Sadducees, who don’t believe in resurrection, try to make Jesus look silly with a story about a woman who marries seven brothers. Jesus says, “You don’t know the Scriptures or God’s power. God isn’t the God of the dead, but of the living.”
- Sadducees — Only accepted Torah; denied resurrection, angels, spirits (Acts 23:8).
- Deut. 25:5–10 — Levirate marriage law.
- Exod. 3:6 — “I am the God…”—present tense = patriarchs still live.
- 1 John 3:2 — “Like angels”: resurrection life is different.
Don’t build your faith on what you can see or reason out. God’s power goes way beyond our logic.
How does believing in resurrection change how you face loss, risk, or the unknown?
God’s promises are bigger than your doubts. He’s the God of the living.
Mark 12:28–34 – The Greatest Commandment
A scribe asks, “What’s the most important command?” Jesus says: Love God with all you’ve got, and love your neighbor as yourself. The scribe gets it—love matters more than rituals. Jesus tells him, “You are not far from the kingdom.”
- Deut. 6:4–5 — The Shema: “Hear, O Israel…” recited daily.
- Lev. 19:18 — Love your neighbor.
- Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6–8 — Love > sacrifice.
- “Not far from the kingdom” — Close isn’t the same as in.
The scribe isn’t just testing Jesus—he’s sincere. He knows the right answers but still needs to take the final step of faith. You can be “not far” and still not “in.”
You can memorize all the verses and still miss the point if you don’t love people. Knowing the right answers isn’t enough—Jesus calls you to step in, trust Him, and follow.
Where do you need to let love—not just rules—lead your actions this week?
What step do you need to take to move from “not far” to “all in”?
The heart of God’s will is love—received from Him, given to others.
Mark 12:35–40 – Jesus Flips the Script on the Scribes
Jesus asks, “How can the Messiah be David’s son and Lord?” (Psalm 110:1). The crowd loves it, but then He warns: “Watch out for the scribes—they love the spotlight, but they cheat widows and fake long prayers.”
- Psalm 110:1 — Most quoted OT verse in the NT; Messiah is both David’s son and Lord.
- Matt. 23:5–7 — Long robes and greetings = external religion.
- James 3:1 — Spiritual abuse brings greater judgment.
The Messiah is more than a king—He’s divine. The scribes looked holy but were actually hurting the most vulnerable. God sees through every mask.
Beware of religion that looks good but leaves people hurting. God cares more about how you treat others than how spiritual you look.
Religious pride is a mask for spiritual emptiness. God sees through it.
Mark 12:41–44 – The Widow’s Offering
Jesus watches people give at the temple treasury—thirteen trumpet-shaped boxes in the women’s court. Rich folks drop in big money. A poor widow puts in two tiny “lepta” coins—everything she has. Jesus says she gave more than anyone.
- Lepta — “Widow’s mites,” smallest coin; worth 1/128 of a day’s wage.
- 13 trumpets — Temple treasury had 13 trumpet-shaped boxes in the Court of Women.
- 2 Sam. 24:24 — “I will not offer to the Lord that which costs me nothing.”
- 1 Sam. 16:7 — God sees the heart.
- Sacrifice over surplus — God measures gifts by sacrifice, not size.
God’s not impressed by what you give out of your leftovers. He’s moved by what you trust Him with. The widow’s offering was an act of faith, not just duty.
Is your giving comfortable, or does it cost you something? Are you helping the vulnerable, or just keeping the system running?
God measures sacrifice by surrender, not by size.
“Not far from the kingdom” isn’t the same as being in the kingdom. Jesus calls us to real faith, real love, and real surrender—not just appearances.
Which confrontation hits home for you? What’s one step you can take this week to move from “not far” to “all in” with Jesus?