The King--Headed to the Cross
The Suffering Servant • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
This morning we are continuing our study in the book of Mark. In this study we have seen Jesus as the Suffering Servant. Last week, we saw Jesus leaving the city of Jericho, on His way to Jerusalem. Our passage today begins with Jesus, His disciples, and His followers approaching Jerusalem. They are somewhere between Bethphage (about a mile southwest of Jerusalem) and Bethany (about two miles from the city).
So on their journey up the dangerous road that lead from Jericho to Jerusalem, they would have come to Bethany first—Bethany, “The House of Figs” or “House of Dates.” Next they would have come to Bethphage, “The House of Unripe Figs.” Then they would have crossed the Mount Olivet (or the Mount of Olives) which was a hill that peaked at about 2,600 feet above sea level. The travelers would then have to cross the Kidron Valley that separated the Mount of Olives from the city of Jerusalem.
Headed to Jerusalem
Headed to Jerusalem
If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn to Mark 11, and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 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. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ”
The Village—Jesus tells two of His disciples to go to the village. From the structure of the Greek, the village would have been Bethphage.
They would find a colt—Matthew makes mention that the colt’s mother is there as well. So this was a young animal. Mark tells us, no one has ever ridden—this too would seem to indicate that it was a young animal.
Jesus tells them to untie the colt and bring it to Him. If you wonder, the disciples might have been a bit concerned—this could be considering “horse theft” and could receive a death sentence.
Jesus gives them what they need to say, if they are questioned: The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.
The disciples head out. Look at verse 4.
Get A Colt
Get A Colt
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.
The disciples go into Bethphage, and sure enough they find a colt tied at a doorway in the street.
They untie it, and sure enough the people standing around begin to asking, “Hey what are you doing with the colt?”
They tell the people what Jesus told them to say—“The Lord needs it and will send it back shortly.”
And the people let them go!
What an amazing story. Once again, Jesus demonstrated His mighty power. But let’s continue the story, look at verse 7.
The Triumphal Entry
The Triumphal Entry
When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “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!”
When they get back with the colt, the disciples lay their cloaks over the colt. The cloak was a long covering, worn by travelers that tied around the neck (like a cape) that would be worn to protect them from the elements.
Jesus sat on the colt—a colt that had never been ridden! The colt was unbroken, and still, Jesus was able to ride on it. These facts suggested that Jesus is indeed the sinless Man who was able to fulfill the Adamic Covenant mandate to subdue the animals (Gen. 1:28), the Second Adam.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
But it also fulfills prophecy. Look at Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
It also indicated that He entered as a servant ruler, not as a political conqueror. When Israel’s rulers wanted to present themselves as servants of the people, they rode donkeys (e.g., Judg. 10:4; 12:14). When they acted as military leaders, they rode horses.
Mark says, “Many people spread their cloaks on the ground. Placing one’s garment on the ground before someone was a sign of royal homage (cf. 2 Kings 9:12–13).
They also spread green cut (leafy) branches from the surrounding fields on the road. John tells us they were palm branches (John 12:13).
Who are the many people? Well, it would have included the disciples, and the crowd that normally followed Jesus, but it would have also included the great number of travelers that were headed to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. So it truly was many people.
The people began to shout, quoting a form of Psalm 118:25-26
O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.
The form of this is chiastic in nature which suggest that it was shouted antiphonally—shouted from the front then repeated in the back, with Jesus in the middle.
A. Hosanna is a Greek transliteration from three Hebrew words, hôšî ‘âh nâ’ meaning "O save us now!"
B. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
B’. Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!
A’. Hôšî ‘âh nâ—“O save us now!, “in the highest”—“O God who lives in heaven”
This was the scene as Jesus entered Jerusalem—quite a spectacle!
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Now, here’s an interesting question: What exactly did Jesus see when he “looked around at everything”?
So Jesus and His disciples leave Jerusalem, and walk the two miles back to Bethany where they spent the night.
The Lonely Fig Tree
The Lonely Fig Tree
The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 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. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
As they head towards Jersualem, Jesus became hungry.
He sees a fig tree that is in full leaf, so makes a detour to see if there is any fruit on the tree—but there isn’t any. Mark makes a point to tell us that it was not the season for figs. This often puzzles readers for two reasons. (1) Wouldn’t Jesus have known that it was not fig season—answer, Yes! (2) If this is the case, why would he condemn the tree? Well, here is a possible reason: It is true that the tree was NOT supposed to have actual figs this time of year. So at first glance it seems that Jesus is being unreasonable, but he really isn't. While it would not normally have figs, it should have had fig buds which the peasants would often pick and eat. When these buds would fall off they would be replaced with the soon ripening figs. The absences of buds this time of year would indicate that this tree would not bear fruit this year. So then, it was normal for Jesus to expect to have some kind of food— although not figs, but fig buds.
Now, notice that Jesus’ disciples heard what He said.
Now we will finish this part of the story when we get down to verse 20. But for now let’s continue the story by looking at verse 15.
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area 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, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.
When Jesus reaches Jerusalem, He enters the temple area. He was in the area of the temple called “The courtyard of the Gentiles. This was the only place that Gentiles were allowed to go within the temple. It was the only place that Gentiles could go and pray.
So no Gentile was allowed beyond this outer court. In it the high priest Caiaphas had authorized a market (which was most likely a recent economic innovation). In this market they sold of ritually pure items necessary for temple sacrifice: wine, oil, salt, approved sacrificial animals and birds.
Money from three sources circulated in Palestine in New Testament times: imperial money (Roman), provincial money (Greek), and local money (Jewish). Money changers provided the required Tyrian (Jewish) coinage for the annual half-shekel temple tax (Ex. 30:12–16) required of all male Jews 20 years of age and up. This was in exchange for their Greek and Roman currency, which featured human portraits considered idolatrous. Though a small surcharge was permitted in these transactions, dealings were not free from extortion and fraud. In addition according to Mark 11:16 people loaded with merchandise were taking shortcuts through this area, making it a thoroughfare from one part of the city to another.
Jesus was outraged by this blatant disregard for the temple area specifically set apart for Gentile use. So He overturned the money changers’ tables and the dove-sellers’ benches, and would not allow people to use the area as a thoroughfare. This was NOT the only certified market! Other certified markets were available elsewhere in the city.
Jesus now begins to teach.
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.’”
He quotes from Isaiah 56:7 saying, that the temple was to be called a house of prayer for ALL nations
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 a house of prayer—where even the Gentiles could come an pray, they had made it into a den of robbers. Here Jesus quotes Jeremiah 7:11
Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.
As you might imagine, the chief priests and teachers of the law don’t like this. Look at their response in verse 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 religious leaders want to kill Jesus and are trying to figure out how they accomplish their goal.
But the crowd was amazed at His teaching.
When evening came, they went out of the city.
Now we come back to our earlier story. It is the next day andJesus is headed back into Jerusalem.
The Withered Fig Tree
The Withered Fig Tree
In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
This is the third trip into Jerusalem in three days.
As they walk—everyone sees the fig tree, and it is now dead!
Peter points it out to Jesus! “The fig tree you cursed has withered.”
The fig tree represents Israel! Jesus uses the fig tree as an object lesson. He cursed the tree to teach them the lesson, not because it failed to produce fruit. The green leafy tree was a good illustration something appearing alive, but not being fruitful. Thus it represented of the large unbelieving element within the nation of Israel. God had looked to that generation of Israelites for spiritual fruit, and just like Jesus had hoped to find physical fruit on the fig tree, God had hoped to find spiritual fruit.
“When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your fathers, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved.
Israel’s outward display of religiosity was impressive, like the leaves on the tree, but Israel was not bearing the spiritual fruit of righteousness. It was hypocritical.
I wonder what God would say about the Church in America today? How many times is our religiosity impressive—yet we show little signs of bearing fruit. We don’t take stands for righteousness. We accept the ungodliness of the world and many times allow it to infiltrate our lives—so we are no longer righteous. We are hypocritical!
Jesus tells His disciples what will keep them from becoming hypocritical—it is FAITH! Look at verse 22.
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
It’s right there in the first part of Jesus’ statement! Have faith in God! For faith in God can accomplish the physically impossible!
Moving a mountain was a universal symbol of the impossible. Compare Zechariah 4:7.
“What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’ ”
When we come to verse 24, many people misunderstand what Jesus is saying. Some take it like God is some kind of cosmic vending machine. But the verse begins with the a therefore. And you know what I say! Whenever there’s a therefore, you need to stop and see what it’s therefore! In this case it reminds us that when you exercise faith you are plugging into God’s power! And the truth is God can do ANYTHING!
Yet there are two things that stop God’s work in our lives!
When you ask for things but don’t believe God can do what you’ve asked Him to do.
When you hold a grudge—holding things against other people stops us from experiencing God’s forgiveness.
The last part of verse 25, the NIV says, “. . .so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” This would be better translated will. May seems to indicate some doubt, like it may or may not; while will offers certainty.
Remember that Jesus is headed back into Jerusalem. When we come to verse 27, Jesus arrives back in Jerusalem (again)!
Jesus’ Authority is Questioned
Jesus’ Authority is Questioned
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.
Jesus in back in the temple courts, but this time the religious leaders are coming to Him, and I don’t think they are too happy with Him. Look at what they ask Jesus!
“By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
By what authority are you doing these things? They believed they were the only ones with authority in the temple!
But they don’t stop there, the continue, Who gave you authority to do this? Let me put it another way, Who said you could do this?
The this refers back up to Jesus’ actions in verses 15-17.
Before Jesus answers them, He asks them a question.
Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!”
If they will answer Jesus’ question, He will answer them.
The baptism of John, was it from God or from man?
So the religious leaders begin to discuss their answer among themselves.
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’….” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
Here’s their dilemma:
If they say John’s baptism was from heaven, then Jesus will ask them “Then why didn’t you believe him?”
But if they say it is from men, “they feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.”
Jesus puts them in the same position they put Him. No matter How Jesus answered, they were not going to accept the answer!
So in verse 33, they tell Jesus, “We don’t know.”
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
So Jesus, refuses to tell them by what authority He is doing all that He is doing. The sad thing, is that they should KNOW or recognize where Jesus’ authority comes from.
These are great stories in the Gospels. But how do they change our lives?
SO WHAT
SO WHAT
The first thing we learn is that following Jesus means that we have to trust Him and follow Him even when things don’t make sense.
We need to get excited about Jesus—like the people were excited during the Triumphant Entry.
We need to get excited about the fact that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament.
We need to be praying for the truths of Psalm 118:25-26
O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.
We need to pray this prayer for those suffering in the Ukraine today.
We need to pray for those Christians that are being persecuted around the world.
And we need to pray for our nation!
We need to cry out to the Lord, hôšî ‘âh nâ—“O save us now!”
We need to make sure there is NOTHING that hinders people from coming to Jesus!
Our Church should be a house of prayer. I know that we are a praying church, but are we a house of prayer. What’s the difference? A praying church prays some where as a house of prayer is the focus of their ministry.
Sometimes I wonder, how many of our churches are a den of robbers.
Robbing people of their opportunity to come to Jesus.
Or robbing people of their relationship with Jesus.
How about robbing people of the joy of knowing Jesus.
And then there’s robbing people of their understanding of Jesus.
How many of us—you and me—look alive (like the cursed fig tree), but we don’t produce God’s fruit.
How many times do we accept the unrighteousness in our life as “righteousness?”—or should I say, how many times are we hypocrites?
We learn that we need to have faith in God and exercise that faith!
We need to make sure we live lives full of forgiveness!
Finally, we need to understand that Jesus IS God—He has All authority because He IS the authority
