Trinity Grace Church

On Monday of Passion Week, Jesus enters Jerusalem again, cursing a fig tree on the way and cleansing the temple once he's there.  On Tuesday, he returns again and this time he gives lessons in regards to his lordship from the fig tree and the cleansing.  

The time has come for the entrance of the King into Jerusalem.  Jesus' face has been set toward Jerusalem - toward that for which He was sent - to give His life a ransom for many, to bring the forgiveness of sin.  The long awaited Messiah has come.

Mark presents Bartimaeus (the blind beggar) as a foil to the rich, young ruler - a blind beggar that our gracious Savior calls to follow Him.

As we install newly elected elders and deacons at Trinity Grace Church, this text serves well to remind us of the Gospel of Christ and that to which we've been called.  We look up to the exalted Christ and He bears fruit in our hearts and lives leading us to look out to others.

In the second part of this passage of the rich, young ruler, after our self-righteousness and our idols have been exposed, our wonderful Savior and our blessings in Him are now exposed.

Through this familiar passage where Jesus loves the rich, young ruler,   our self-righteousness, our idols, our Savior, and our blessing are all revealed.

Though the security of children and the sanctity of marriage are intimately related, both are ultimately found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

May our sin, nor our pride, nor the disunity of the church cloud or eclipse the glory of Christ!

While Jesus is talking about His death and resurrection, the disciples are arguing among themselves who is the greatest.

As believers, we are called to live in the valley remembering the God revealed on the mountain top - we learn to cry, "I believe!  Help my unbelief."