Mark 11
January Memory Verse: Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34 (NIV)
Read: Mark 11
Putting ourselves into the sandals of a 1st century Jesus follower, Jesus coming to Jerusalem would be THE climactic event of the ages—the fulfillment of God’s promise to David almost 1,000 year prior that his heir would reign on David’s throne. Messianic expectation was at an all-time high, and Jesus’ Triumphal Entry was the beginning of the end of Jewish subjugation by Rome. The new Moses had come to set his people free from the evil Empire.
Just read the words of the prophet Daniel to the great king Nebuchadnezzar to see what they expected the Messiah to do…
31 “You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. 32 The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” (Daniel 2:31–35)
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was a statue of different materials representing the nation of Babylon and those to follow. The phrase “no human hand” was used to indicate something that God alone does. The opposite phrase “by human hands” often referred in the OT to crafted idols. This stone that was cut out crushed the statue to bits becoming a mountain that filled the earth. This is one of many Messianic prophecies that describe the Messiah crushing rulers and empires (See also Psalm 2). The feet of iron and clay seems to refer to Rome, and the people expected Jesus to crush them and establish a world-wide empire.
Hopefully, that partially explains why the people were so excited at the Triumphal Entry, but turned so quickly at Jesus’ arrest. Expectation was at an all-time high, and the people were excited. However, instead of crushing Rome, Jesus cursed a fig tree—and note the astonishment of the disciples.
Before judging the nations, Jesus had to purify humanity from sin. Those who desired Jesus to take the throne at the Triumphal Entry would be fruitless and wither like the fig tree. This was evident by Jesus’ need to cleanse the Temple that sits in-between the fig tree sandwich. Jesus came with authority. Jesus’ lesson on prayer illustrates a believer’s partaking in the authority of Jesus through faith. And this authority, as the pharisees discovered, lies beyond the realm of challenge or complete understanding.
This chapter hits on a ton of critical issues like the fact that, though we all wish justice on others, we want grace for ourselves. We shouldn’t only be excited about Jesus entering our presence, and Jesus serving our needs and hopes. Instead, we should wish grace for others—even our enemies and leaders (see Romans 13)—and pray mountain-moving prayers for them to receive it.
Live in Jesus’ grace, love Jesus’ rule, and work in Jesus’ authority.
Fun Question:
If you were holding a sign at the Triumphal Entry, what would it say? (I’m looking for some high quality puns here).
Serious Question:
How does the story of the cursed fig tree and the admonition to move a mountain challenge your prayer life?
By: Tyler Short
Read: Mark 11
Putting ourselves into the sandals of a 1st century Jesus follower, Jesus coming to Jerusalem would be THE climactic event of the ages—the fulfillment of God’s promise to David almost 1,000 year prior that his heir would reign on David’s throne. Messianic expectation was at an all-time high, and Jesus’ Triumphal Entry was the beginning of the end of Jewish subjugation by Rome. The new Moses had come to set his people free from the evil Empire.
Just read the words of the prophet Daniel to the great king Nebuchadnezzar to see what they expected the Messiah to do…
31 “You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. 32 The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” (Daniel 2:31–35)
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was a statue of different materials representing the nation of Babylon and those to follow. The phrase “no human hand” was used to indicate something that God alone does. The opposite phrase “by human hands” often referred in the OT to crafted idols. This stone that was cut out crushed the statue to bits becoming a mountain that filled the earth. This is one of many Messianic prophecies that describe the Messiah crushing rulers and empires (See also Psalm 2). The feet of iron and clay seems to refer to Rome, and the people expected Jesus to crush them and establish a world-wide empire.
Hopefully, that partially explains why the people were so excited at the Triumphal Entry, but turned so quickly at Jesus’ arrest. Expectation was at an all-time high, and the people were excited. However, instead of crushing Rome, Jesus cursed a fig tree—and note the astonishment of the disciples.
Before judging the nations, Jesus had to purify humanity from sin. Those who desired Jesus to take the throne at the Triumphal Entry would be fruitless and wither like the fig tree. This was evident by Jesus’ need to cleanse the Temple that sits in-between the fig tree sandwich. Jesus came with authority. Jesus’ lesson on prayer illustrates a believer’s partaking in the authority of Jesus through faith. And this authority, as the pharisees discovered, lies beyond the realm of challenge or complete understanding.
This chapter hits on a ton of critical issues like the fact that, though we all wish justice on others, we want grace for ourselves. We shouldn’t only be excited about Jesus entering our presence, and Jesus serving our needs and hopes. Instead, we should wish grace for others—even our enemies and leaders (see Romans 13)—and pray mountain-moving prayers for them to receive it.
Live in Jesus’ grace, love Jesus’ rule, and work in Jesus’ authority.
Fun Question:
If you were holding a sign at the Triumphal Entry, what would it say? (I’m looking for some high quality puns here).
Serious Question:
How does the story of the cursed fig tree and the admonition to move a mountain challenge your prayer life?
By: Tyler Short
17 Comments
Fun answer: “THRONE ROOM: -> THIS (YAH)WEH”
Serious answer: One of the things I often fail to do is to pray expectantly. My prayers often can be toss-ups that lack a solid faith that they will be answered. It’s also very easy for me to get into a mode of praying for the sake of praying rather than praying for the sake of building my relationship or furthering the kingdom. The disciples surprise at the withering of the fig tree reflects my surprise when the Lord answers a prayer of mine. Thank you, Tyler, for the reminder that the Lord is actively working in our lives and the lives of those around us, and our mentality during prayer should reflect that.
Awesome Matt, thanks for playing along. Great word!
Fun: If I'm just a spectator at the point in time, good chance I'm not a follower by then so probably a good idea I didn't bring a sign hahaha
Serious: Though the fig tree parable was directed at the Jewish nation, I still get a lot from it now. Jesus was upset with their hypocritical self-righteous religiosity. Jesus wants people that are about Him and His Kingdom that pray and worship truly. This is super challenging. Even if I'm in a season of consistency with prayer, I struggle to have that kind of faith most of the time. I feel like I haven't earned the right to ask for anything within God's will (of course not, Jordan). Lately, I have seen the effects of praying this bold, ask anything prayer. I have been praying about my student teaching. I want to be able to work hard and do so with competency and without complaining to keep a good witness there. So, I prayed earnestly for God to equip me as a teacher and for Him to give me gospel opportunities. The next day I met the Mormon teacher across the hall and had a good conversation to start that friendship!
That's awesome, Jordan. Encouraged by you.
Prayer is a big focus in my life right now, it’s one of the aspects of my Christian life I need to work on most. Knowing that we have an all powerful God should make us most confident in prayer. Grateful for God’s word showing us that we can move mountains if we only believe!
That's awesome Scottie. The staff is actually reading a book on prayer right now and a key point in the first chapter is the necessary recognition of helpless as the starting point for prayer. Boy, do I need that reminder too.
It’s very interesting to watch how Jesus led very stubborn people. He did it so masterfully. Lots to learn about how to yield leadership and authority here.
It's amazing the idea of "they just didn't get it," yet we're right there alongside.
Fun: I'm trying real hard to think of something that will not come off as disrespectful, like: It's About Time!"
More respectful: "You are Welcome in this Place"
Serious: The symbolism of the fig tree as the Jewish Nation can also be applied to every believer whose religiosity is not match with spiritual fruit. God is not interested in sacrifice, empty worship and outward show. He wants your heart. Once He has that all things are possible, and prayer is the mechanism.
Lindsay, I literally LOL'd---It's about time.
To answer your question, how about a sign that reads "Fig Trees Matter"......
😂😂😂
Those were supposed to be 3 laughing emojis but they came out as backward sixes with a line thru the top. The magic of technology!
I can imagine Jesus entering Jerusalem on a colt that had never been ridden as a "late-breaking" story of the day!
I had often wondered about the fig tree. Thanks to this blog and comments, the fig tree parable is a little clearer.
Fun Question:
“A miracle Can happen now!”
Serious question: I am moved to pray more expectantly on behalf of others that God would move in their lives!
Idk, my sign would probably say something like “Jesus 0033!” Haha
The fig tree incident always causes me to tremble a bit at my core. We often think of faith and our prayers effecting good things. We pray for healing or wisdom or protection. But Jesus issues a serious warning here. Curses curse, even if they are unjustly spoken, such as cursing something or someone for not doing what it wasn’t supposed to do in the first place. The tree wasn’t supposed to have figs on it, and Jesus cursed it for being in a condition it was supposed to be in. Serious, serious warning here. Our words are so powerful, for good or for bad, and we need to be very careful about how we use them.
My study Bible explains the fig tree like this “in spite of God’s gift of His law, and the land, and especially His presence now in Jesus, Israel and its leaders have failed to produce the justice and mercy God desires.” Even though they had early leaves on their tree (God’s grace) compared to all others