Day 11: April 1, 2020
In the first part of Mark Chapter 11, we see Jesus’ Triumphal entry, and all the people worshipping Him. Can you picture it? The throngs of people, throwing their cloaks on the ground, waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!”. What an incredible picture, and a stark contrast to what is coming.
One of the best parts of this passage is at the very beginning, where Jesus gives the disciples specific instructions on where they are to get the donkey he is to ride on (vs. 2-7). Not only is it an example of their obedience to follow his instructions, but it reminds us that He is in the details and has a carefully laid plan for us.
This chapter in Mark also has several reminders about true faith and prayer:
- Jesus drives the money-changers out of the temple, reminding them that His house is to be a “house of prayer for all the nations” (vs. 17).
- The very next day, he gives the disciples a lesson on faith and forgiveness as they pass the fig tree that He cursed the day before (vs. 14). He tells them to “have faith in God” and to not doubt, but believe. After all, we can’t earn the right to a relationship with God – it is through our faith in Him and His forgiveness of our sins. And how can we ask God for forgiveness if we ourselves have not forgiven others? It says in verse 25 “forgive, if you have ANYTHING against ANYONE” – a reminder that there are no limits on forgiveness!
Finally, in the last part of the chapter, the chief priests and scribes challenge Jesus’ authority, and he responds perfectly, with a question back to them about John the Baptist. When they can’t answer, he refuses to answer their questions. Jesus answers to no one but the Father; He has all authority. He is the perfect Son of God, our Savior and Lord.
Mark 11
The Triumphal Entry
1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 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. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “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!”
11 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.
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 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. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
15 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. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 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.” 18 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. 19 And when evening came they went out of the city.
The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree
20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
The Authority of Jesus Challenged
27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” 31 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
What are some ways you need to trust that Jesus is in the small details of your everyday life right now? In what ways do you need to be reminded of His authority over all things?
How do you need to exercise faith in your current circumstances? How does faith relate to forgiveness?
Right now I believe we need to repose in him and believe in his goodness. If we truly pray and ask God to take care of it all he will console and guide us through this difficult time.
Confused by the cursing of the fig tree? Watch this: https://youtu.be/g0RMnPCpLYY
Thx Steven for the great video explaining the illustration of the fig tree!
Thank you
Thank you for the link to hear an in depth explanation about why Jesus cursed the fig tree. Quite an interesting deep thought that makes sense.
My faith is in God and I am trusting him today, by resting from work. Today I will read his word, give him thanks for our food, my my wife and daughters, our home, health and the time he has given us today. I don’t need to know the future to have peace. Because I know the prince of peace, and he knows the future, I can have peace and rest in him, because he is good, trustworthy, and faithful.
I trust Jesus by not panicking during this epidemic. I also stay calm during conversations and encourage others to seek the Lord by posting passages and pictures that are related to our current circumstances in hope that they may also turn to him for love and comfort.
Reading the word daily gives me knowledge & reminds me of His authority over all things.
Believing wholeheartedly that God is in control is how I exercise my faith during our current circumstances.
Forgiven all who have sinned against me, is having faith that my Father in Heaven has also forgiven me for sinning against him.
I will never look at my fig tree the same way. It is leafing out right now and I will look for the “first fruit” i.e. those little green buds that come. The video was interesting in explanation as to why Jesus spoke against the fig tree that later withered and died. Thanks for the reference.