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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
If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn to Mark 11, and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.
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
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
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.
But it also fulfills prophecy.
Look at Zechariah 9:9
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
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!
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
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.
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.
He quotes from Isaiah 56:7 saying, that the temple was to 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
As you might imagine, the chief priests and teachers of the law don’t like this.
Look at their response in verse 18.
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.
Now we come back to our earlier story.
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