Post by foxjj on Mar 23, 2024 8:03:56 GMT
Mark 11:1-33 (NIV)
Mark chapter eleven opens with Jesus on His way to Jerusalem. He and the disciples would have been travelling with pilgrims on their way to celebrate the feast of Passover. The road to Jerusalem ascends the Mount of Olives before descending into the Kidron valley. It lays east of Jerusalem with its ridge about 200 feet higher than Mount Zion, giving travellers a panoramic view across the Kidron valley to Mount Zion and Jerusalem - the city of David - with the magnificent Temple, and its golden dome shining in the sun:
“1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
An animal that had not been put to use was suitable for spiritual purposes. Jesus was about to fulfill Zechariah 9:9 by entering Jerusalem as Messiah riding the colt:
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
“4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.”
The pilgrims were in a spiritual mood anticipating the celebration of Passover consequently, seeing Jesus riding the colt through the Kidron valley they recognized the spiritual significance and responded:
“9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
The above versus are from Psalm 118 which is one of the Hallal (Praise) Psalms sung at Passover. John chapter twelve further states: “the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him.”
Each time Jesus visited Jerusalem, He always went to the Temple:
“11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.”
Bethany was the village where Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha lived. Jesus and the disciples were always welcome to lodge in their home.
“12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.”
This section is prophetic. In prophecy, Israel is often compared to a fig tree such as in Nahum 3:12:
“All your fortresses are like fig trees
with their first ripe fruit;
when they are shaken,
the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.”
A once righteous nation is no longer righteous. Judgment is about to come upon the nation as had been warned in many prophecies, such as Jeremiah 8:12-13:
“12 Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?
No, they have no shame at all;
they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
they will be brought down when they are punished,
says the LORD.
13 “‘I will take away their harvest,
declares the LORD.
There will be no grapes on the vine.
There will be no figs on the tree,
and their leaves will wither.
What I have given them
will be taken from them.’”
The following verse’s are an illustration of how far the nation had departed from righteousness:
“15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
The Temple was originally the place where Yahweh dwelt, where even gentiles seeking truth were welcomed as recorded in Isaiah 56:6-7:
“6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD
to minister to him,
to love the name of the LORD,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.”
Instead of listening to His teachings as the ordinary people had, the religious leaders believed Jesus had become a threat to their way of life:
“18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”
The chief priests would be the High Priest and other members of his family. The teachers of the law were the Scribes and Pharisees.
“19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.
20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
The withering of the fig tree was prophetic concerning the religious leaders who had rejected their Messiah. It was also a vivid warning of the destruction of the nation that would occur in 70 ad.
In the next verse’s Jesus encourages the disciples in their prayer life:
“22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
The metaphor of the mountain would be the Mount of Olives from where the Dead Sea could be seen. When we pray, our faith must be anchored in God whom we approach in humility, believing that He hears and answers our prayers: “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” - James 1:6. Verse 25 above is a very important instruction concerning forgiveness which is at the heart of the Gospel message.
The closing verses of the chapter show how the religious leaders cared not for spiritual truth, caring only for their standing in the eyes of the people:
“27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Both the ministry of John, and the ministry of Jesus were in fulfillment of prophecy of which the spiritual leaders should have recognized.
Today, let us give thanks for the spiritual truth revealed onto us.
John Joseph Fox.
Mark chapter eleven opens with Jesus on His way to Jerusalem. He and the disciples would have been travelling with pilgrims on their way to celebrate the feast of Passover. The road to Jerusalem ascends the Mount of Olives before descending into the Kidron valley. It lays east of Jerusalem with its ridge about 200 feet higher than Mount Zion, giving travellers a panoramic view across the Kidron valley to Mount Zion and Jerusalem - the city of David - with the magnificent Temple, and its golden dome shining in the sun:
“1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
An animal that had not been put to use was suitable for spiritual purposes. Jesus was about to fulfill Zechariah 9:9 by entering Jerusalem as Messiah riding the colt:
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
“4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.”
The pilgrims were in a spiritual mood anticipating the celebration of Passover consequently, seeing Jesus riding the colt through the Kidron valley they recognized the spiritual significance and responded:
“9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
The above versus are from Psalm 118 which is one of the Hallal (Praise) Psalms sung at Passover. John chapter twelve further states: “the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him.”
Each time Jesus visited Jerusalem, He always went to the Temple:
“11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.”
Bethany was the village where Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha lived. Jesus and the disciples were always welcome to lodge in their home.
“12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.”
This section is prophetic. In prophecy, Israel is often compared to a fig tree such as in Nahum 3:12:
“All your fortresses are like fig trees
with their first ripe fruit;
when they are shaken,
the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.”
A once righteous nation is no longer righteous. Judgment is about to come upon the nation as had been warned in many prophecies, such as Jeremiah 8:12-13:
“12 Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?
No, they have no shame at all;
they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
they will be brought down when they are punished,
says the LORD.
13 “‘I will take away their harvest,
declares the LORD.
There will be no grapes on the vine.
There will be no figs on the tree,
and their leaves will wither.
What I have given them
will be taken from them.’”
The following verse’s are an illustration of how far the nation had departed from righteousness:
“15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
The Temple was originally the place where Yahweh dwelt, where even gentiles seeking truth were welcomed as recorded in Isaiah 56:6-7:
“6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD
to minister to him,
to love the name of the LORD,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.”
Instead of listening to His teachings as the ordinary people had, the religious leaders believed Jesus had become a threat to their way of life:
“18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”
The chief priests would be the High Priest and other members of his family. The teachers of the law were the Scribes and Pharisees.
“19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.
20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
The withering of the fig tree was prophetic concerning the religious leaders who had rejected their Messiah. It was also a vivid warning of the destruction of the nation that would occur in 70 ad.
In the next verse’s Jesus encourages the disciples in their prayer life:
“22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
The metaphor of the mountain would be the Mount of Olives from where the Dead Sea could be seen. When we pray, our faith must be anchored in God whom we approach in humility, believing that He hears and answers our prayers: “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” - James 1:6. Verse 25 above is a very important instruction concerning forgiveness which is at the heart of the Gospel message.
The closing verses of the chapter show how the religious leaders cared not for spiritual truth, caring only for their standing in the eyes of the people:
“27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Both the ministry of John, and the ministry of Jesus were in fulfillment of prophecy of which the spiritual leaders should have recognized.
Today, let us give thanks for the spiritual truth revealed onto us.
John Joseph Fox.
