Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Craig Sawdon from Williamston, MI. Thank you for standing with us throughout Project 23. Your support helps bring clarity and conviction through God’s Word. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 11:15-19:

And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city. — Mark 11:15-19

Jesus walked into the temple—the place meant for prayer—and found it transformed into a marketplace. Tables, money, livestock, exploitation. The outer courts were no longer about God. They were about gain. And Jesus didn’t walk past it quietly.

He flipped the tables. He drove out buyers and sellers. He blocked shortcuts through sacred space. He raised his voice and quoted Scripture: “My house shall be called a house of prayer… but you’ve made it a den of robbers.”

But this wasn’t rage. It was zeal. Holy passion for the glory of God.

The temple and its leaders had lost their way. What was once reverent had become routine. What was once sacred had been reduced to a sales transaction. And Jesus turned the tables to reset the focus.

But get this. Jesus still flips tables.

No, maybe not ones made of wood. But the ones within our hearts. Our routines. Our comforts. Our systems of spiritual convenience. He doesn’t flip out; he flips over what keeps us from authentic worship. Because Jesus is not okay with surface-level religion that goes through the motions.

So if Jesus starts flipping things in your life, don’t panic. Don’t push back. Let him do the work. When his zeal turns your tables, it’s not to destroy—it’s to restore you. When he flips things over, don't flip out. Look. Listen. Lean in.

Jesus, you are turning things over in my life. Help me listen, lean in, and make the needed adjustments. Amen.

#ZealForGod, #HouseOfPrayer, #Mark11

ASK THIS:

1. Why did Jesus respond with such intensity in the temple?
2. What do we learn about his heart for worship?
3. What "tables" in your life might Jesus want to flip?
4. What needs to be restored to keep your worship focused?

DO THIS:

Ask Jesus what tables he may need to flip in your life. Then permit him to do it.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I welcome your zeal. Flip anything in my life that’s gotten in the way of true worship. Turn over what needs to change. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Heart of Worship.”

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Chuck Peter from Roseville, MN. Thank you for standing with us throughout Project 23. You’re helping people move from the appearance of faith to the fruit of it. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 11:12-14:

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. — Mark 11:12-14

At first glance, this seems like one of the most confusing moments in the Gospels. Jesus is hungry. He sees a fig tree full of leaves, promising the possibility of fruit. But when he gets close, there’s nothing. So he curses it.

Why?

Because it looked fruitful from a distance, but had nothing to offer up close. This wasn’t just about a tree. It was a parable in real time. An enacted warning. Jesus was making a point about empty religion.

You see, the fig tree had the appearance of being healthy and vital. But no fruit. Just like the temple he was about to walk into. The temple was full of religious activity, rituals, and noise, but no repentance. No faith. No spiritual nourishment. It was all leaves, no fruit.

Jesus sees through the façade. And he still does.

From a distance, your life could look spiritual. Church attendance. Polite behavior. Christian language. Even Bible reading. But up close and intimate, does your life bear real fruit?

Jesus doesn’t curse the fig tree out of irritation. He curses it to make a statement. He’s not fooled by appearances. Neither is he interested in performance that has no power behind it.

So, stop focusing on looking spiritual. Start cultivating what actually matters—humility, repentance, love, truth, obedience, surrender. Because Jesus doesn’t just want your leaves. He wants your life. And he wants it to be full of fruit.

#RealFaith, #SpiritualFruit, #Mark11

ASK THIS:

1. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?
2. What’s the danger of outward appearances without spiritual depth?
3. Where in your life are you tempted to “fake” fruit?
4. What does real spiritual fruit look like for you this season?

DO THIS:

Ask someone who knows you well: “What kind of fruit do you see in my life?” And really listen.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I don’t want to just look the part. I want to bear real fruit. Expose anything in me that’s all appearance and no substance. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Clear the Stage” by Jimmy Needham.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Mark Hardison from Murfreesboro, TN. Thank you for standing with us in Project23. You're helping lead people into the Word, one day at a time. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 11:1-11:

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “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!” And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. — Mark 11:1-11

If Jesus wanted to signal war, he would've come on a stallion. But he chose a donkey.

Why?

Because the King had come, but not to conquer Rome. He came to conquer sin. This wasn’t weakness. It was fulfillment. Zechariah 9:9 had prophesied it: “Behold, your king is coming… humble and mounted on a donkey.”

Everything Jesus did was intentional. A war horse meant judgment. A donkey meant peace. That’s the kind of King he is. Powerful enough to destroy, but humble enough to save. The people were shouting “Hosanna!”—but most of them missed what Jesus was really doing. They wanted political rescue. He came for spiritual rescue.

Presently, they cheered him in as a hero. Days later, many would cry, “Crucify him.”

Why?

Because he didn’t meet their expectations. He didn’t take their side. He took over.

But most still want "war horse" Jesus.

We want him to charge in and fix our culture, correct our problems, defend our comfort, and affirm our plans. But he comes on a donkey—lowly, interrupting our assumptions and calling us to die to ourselves. He’s not interested in sharing the throne of your heart with your politics, your preferences, or your personal agenda.

Jesus doesn’t just want a place in your life—he demands preeminence over it.

So here’s the call to action today: Are you cheering Jesus on Sunday but living for yourself by Monday? Are you praising the King with your lips but resisting his rule in your habits, finances, relationships, or priorities? Don’t settle for a “safe” Savior who never challenges your comfort. That’s not the real Jesus. Submit to the Lord of Lords, and bow to the King of Kings.

#HumbleKing, #JesusIsKing, #Mark11

ASK THIS:

1. Why is Jesus' choice of a donkey so surprising?
2. What kind of King were the people expecting?
3. Where are you tempted to treat Jesus like a helper, not a ruler?
4. What would it look like to welcome him on his terms?

DO THIS:

Where am I expecting Jesus to ride in and fix something—when he’s actually calling me to surrender something?

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, you came in humility when I expected force. Forgive me for trying to use you instead of following you. I welcome you as my King. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“King of Kings.”