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Christ as Servant: A Study in MarkSample

Christ as Servant: A Study in Mark

DAY 11 OF 16

What does it say?

After the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Jesus overturned the tables in the temple. He taught the disciples about prayer and was challenged by the high council.

What does it mean?

Jesus had predicted His death and resurrection a few times before the events of this passage. He knew what the disciples needed to learn before His departure, and one of those lessons was about effective prayer. After the disciples were amazed at the withering of the fig tree in one day, Jesus explained that they would be capable of doing things that were impossible from a human standpoint if they would pray with faith and trust and depending on God. Believing in God and forgiving others would clear the way for God’s power to be released in their lives.

How should I respond?

Have you prayed for something, and it seemed that God was silent? It’s true that sometimes God answers “No” or “Wait,” but wrong attitudes can hinder the effectiveness of our prayers. Effective prayer seeks God’s will before our own. That kind of prayer requires that we graciously forgive those who’ve wronged us, deciding not to harbor anger or seek revenge against them. It requires trust in God, removing doubts concerning how He will handle the situation. Effective prayer requires a heart of faith.

Scripture

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About this Plan

Christ as Servant: A Study in Mark

Mark uses the word “immediately” over forty times in his Gospel, emphasizing the intentional nature of Jesus’ ministry. The quick succession of healings and miracles shows that Jesus “came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:44). Through Mark’s Gospel, we are reminded that true greatness in God’s kingdom comes not through selfish ambition, but by being the servant of all.

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