Mark 11

Here we see Jesus entering Jerusalem. In modern day we refer to this entry as palm Sunday. He and the disciples were very well known here for their teachings and miracles and the people were very excited to see the entrance of the upcoming King.

" 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!" v. 9-10

The highlighted part of the verse is only recorded in Mark and emphasizes that Jesus was fulfilling prophecy. Wow, a sharp contrast to what this same crowd would do to Him later!

"On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry, Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it, and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, 'May no one ever eat fruit from you again!'" v.12-14

I thought this seemed awful harsh for this poor fig tree - it wasn't the fig trees fault, after all. The fig tree was unique because usually when there were leaves there was fruit. But not this tree. The highlighted section, once again only Mark records, to let you know the unusual nature of this particular tree.

John MacArthur, "Jesus cursed the tree for its misleading appearance that suggested great productivity without providing it. It should have been full of fruit, but was barren. The fig tree was frequently an Old Testament type of the Jewish nation and in this instance Jesus used the tree by the road as a divine object lesson concerning Israel's spiritual hypocrisy and fruitlessness."

Next Jesus goes to chase the sellers out of the temple and says, "My House shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations." v. 17 The highlighted part, only recorded in Mark, was taken from Isaiah 56:7, and was addressing the gentiles. Jesus was in the only part of the temple where Gentiles were permitted to be.

Now, my favorite part of the chapter, " Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them and they will be granted you." v.23-24

"Jesus' point is that if believers sincerely trust in God and truly realize the unlimited power that is available through such faith in Him, they will see His might powers at work." MacArthur

I love this, of course. But case in point: my daughter has just graduated from college and can not find a job in her chosen field. There has been much prayer on my part and hers, but seemingly to know avail. She has done everything she needs to do as far as applying, but nothing. So the question is, what are we doing wrong? How do we truly realize the unlimited power that is available to see His mighty powers?...Doesn't Jesus want the best for her? I was thinking, maybe, He wants to be sure that she (and I) realize that the amazing job he has in line for her is only from Him and not of her own doing, but a gift.

No more blogs for the next week in that we are on our way to Yosemite and I'll be (hopefully) doing my writing by hand to implement when I get back.