After His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus returned to Bethany for the night. On Monday morning, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley, returning to Jerusalem. As He “went out from Bethany, he was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, he went to find out if there was anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves” (Mark 11:12-13). At this point, Jesus did something seemingly out of character. He cursed the fig tree, saying,

The week leading up to Christ’s crucifixion is referred to as Holy Week. As we approach the annual celebration of Easter, let’s consider twelve significant events, each well-documented in the Scriptures. Let’s start with the Triumphal Entry. In a scene reminiscent of the emperor’s victorious return to Rome, Jesus commandeered a young donkey and rode into Jerusalem to the cheers of masses of Passover pilgrims, thus fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy. “Rejoice greatly, Daughter

Jesus didn’t mince words! Speaking to the religious elite, He said, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). An insidious lie being perpetrated from pulpits and in print is the false teaching of annihilation. “Don’t worr

Some have a musical talent. Others may have the talent to speak before crowds. Still others may have the talent to build things. Though God gives these talents and many more, that’s not exactly what Jesus was talking about when He presented the Parable of the Talents. A talent was a measure of weight. Therefore, a talent of gold was a measure of great wealth. One talent was equal to approximately seventy-five pounds. Today’s price for gold is above five thousand dollars per

In Noah’s day, the Ark was constructed to save those who trusted the Lord for salvation. If John or Ralph or Mary or Suzzy had repented, God surely would have invited them aboard. But God’s offer of salvation had an expiration date. The offer stood until the day God closed the door (Genesis 7:16). After that, drowning, death, and destruction were inevitable. Jesus told the Parable of the Ten Virgins to teach this truth. Ten young ladies were invited to a wedding feast, so

Matthew’s twenty-fourth chapter contains the first half of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and looks forward to the end of the age. “ While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately and said, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen? And what is the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ ” (Matthew 24:3). Jesus predicted that the last days would be difficult, and “ the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Jesus told stories to help us understand the Kingdom of Heaven. At least nine times in Matthew’s Gospel His purpose is explicitly stated. “The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 13:31). “The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 13:33). “The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 13:44). “The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 13:45). “The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 13:47). “The kingdom of heaven can be compared to…” (Matthew 18:23). “The kingdom

The Vineyard Owner, like the Creator, “saw all that he had made, and it was very good indeed” (Genesis 1:31). His vineyard was wonderfully complete with the best grape vines, “a fence around it … a winepress in it, and … a watchtower” (Matthew 21:33). After leasing the vineyard to tenants, he went away. At the end of the first year, he sent a delegation to collect the rent. Instead of paying what they owed, the evil tenants “took his servants, beat one, killed another, an

The hypocritical and pharisaical religious leaders were at war with Jesus. They wanted to retain their prestige and power, but many people were drawn toward Jesus because of His miraculous power and His new and authoritative teaching. One day, as Jesus was teaching in the temple complex, “the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him … and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority?’ ” (Matthew 21:23). In response, Jesus tol

“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the workers on one denarius, he sent them into his vineyard for the day” (Matthew 20:1-2). The landowner represents God. We’re the workers. Some of the vineyard workers were hired early in the morning, others throughout the day, until finally, some were hired late in the afternoon. At the end of the workday, when the paymaster gave the worker