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Pursuing Jesus In The Gospel Of Mark
Jesus Is Lord
Mark 11:1-26

Introduction: The Beginning Of The End

Beginning in September, we started pursuing Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. I can only hope it has been as beneficial to you as it has been for me. There is nothing that can compare to studying the life of Jesus. Our pursuit of Jesus marks a significant turn today with the events that have come to be known as the triumphal entry of Palm Sunday. Mark 11 is the beginning of the end.

Mark devotes 5 of 16 chapters to the final week of Jesus’ life. As with all the gospel writers, major attention is given to the events of this one dramatic week. The period in the Christian calendar known as Lent begins this week on Ash Wednesday. This year we will use the Lenten period to examine in some depth the events leading to the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

With His celebrated entry into Jerusalem, Jesus demonstrates that He is Lord. He is Lord of the people, of the church and of faith. Just as He exercised His Lordship over the events of the week, He desires to be Lord in your life as well. As you welcome Jesus into Jerusalem with the crowds, puzzle with the disciples about a withered fig tree and see Him clear the temple, watch and listen for any areas in your life where He invites you to make Him Lord.

Jesus Demonstrates He Is Lord Of The People (Mark 11:1-11)

Preparing For His Arrival (VV. 1-6)

The last stage of the journey has arrived. Everything to this point has been prelude.

As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead.

Mark 11:1 NLT

The two towns are near Jerusalem. Bethphage most likely means house of figs and Bethany house of dates. The towns are within two miles of Jerusalem. From the 2600’ elevation they offer a view of the city. From this close staging area Jesus sends two disciples on a special mission.

“Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”

Mark 11:2-3 NLT

Jesus sends them for a donkey upon which He will ride into the city. We usually think of a donkey as very common. In that time, however, it was an animal fit for a king. Because Mark writes for a Gentile audience, he doesn’t quote the prophecy from Zechariah that is being fulfilled.

Rejoice, O people of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.

Zechariah 9:9 NLT

Jesus walks them through every detail. He tells them where to find it, that they need to untie it and, if the owner questions them, all they need to do is assure him that the Lord has need of it and will return it. Jesus had many followers other than the 12. People were accustomed to helping pilgrims who made Jerusalem 2-3 times bigger during the Passover.

It happened just as Jesus said.

The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it.

Mark 11:4-6 NLT

Everything is ready for His entrance into Jerusalem.

Celebrating His Arrival (vv. 7-10)

The welcome into Jerusalem couldn’t be missed.

Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it. Many in the crowd spread their coats on the road ahead of Jesus, and others cut leafy branches in the fields and spread them along the way. He was in the center of the procession, and the crowds all around him were shouting, “Praise God! Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Bless the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven!”

Mark 11:7-10 NLT

It was customary, when welcoming a king, to lay pieces of clothing and palm branches on the road. With Jesus right in the middle of the surging crowd, the people greeted Him with shouts of victory.

Many patriotic Jews joined the pilgrims who were traveling with Jesus proclaiming Him as the King in the line of David. Jesus doesn’t stop them. He accepts their affirmation. They wrongly believe He is the king bringing deliverance from Roman rule, but the strong showing of affection from the crowd keeps the Jewish rulers from attempting to move against Jesus. They decide they need to wait until Passover is finished to take action. Jesus will, however, prove Himself master of the events by making it impossible for them to wait.

Preparing For Confrontation (v. 11)

You have to admire Jesus’ courage as He enters into Jerusalem. Under the circumstances, the wise move would have been to enter Jerusalem secretly and maintain a low profile. Instead, every eye is focused on Him and every mouth is talking about what He is doing. Being the center of attention, Jesus enters the place that is the center of Jewish affection—the Temple.

So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. He looked around carefully at everything, and then he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he went out to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

Mark 11:11 NLT

The translation captures Jesus’ actions perfectly. When He went into the Temple, He carefully examined what was taking place. Since it was late in the day, most of the activity was finished. He would return the next day. For now, He went back to Bethany for what would be one last quiet night with His disciples. The stage is set—and everyone is ready.

Jesus Demonstrates That He Is Lord Of The Church (vv. 15-19)

Confronting Corruption (vv. 15-16)

We will hold verses 12-14 in order to connect them to the outcome that follows and the lesson that Jesus teaches in verses 20-26. Jesus returns to Jerusalem and the Temple. He now moves to correct the corruption He had seen the previous day.

When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the merchants and their customers. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the stalls of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from bringing in merchandise.

Mark 11:15-16 NLT

Why was Jesus so upset? What had He seen the previous day that stirred Him to clean house? While the Holy of Holies has been guarded, the outer Court of the Gentiles has been turned into a bazaar for selling animals for sacrifice and taxing worshippers.

The scene here was probably much like the straw markets we recently visited in The Bahamas. The local merchants have set up shop to try to sell you all kinds of things you don’t need at what they claim to be bargain prices. One thing they have learned is how to hustle a dollar. You can’t walk by the booths without the merchants crying out to come in and examine—and hopefully purchase—their products.

Because the people were required to sacrifice at the temple, merchants had set up booths selling ceremonially clean animals at exorbitant prices. Those who may have brought animals with them would be told their animal was not acceptable. The temple tax had to be paid with shekels. Foreign currency would be exchanged for a hefty fee. Finally, it had become common for people to use the temple courtyard as a short cut.

Jewish thinking probably rationalized that it was only the Court of the Gentiles where this was taking place. Jesus sees the entire temple as being holy. For the priests to allow such actions to take place anywhere in the temple testifies to their corruption. Jesus refuses to overlook the corruption. He turns over their tables—sending money in all directions. He drives them out of the temple and refuses to let anyone bring merchandise in.

Prescribing Righteousness (v. 17)

With the temple cleared Jesus speaks.

He taught them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a place of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

Mark 11:17 NLT

Jesus uses a vivid metaphor to describe what was taking place. From the familiar account of The Good Samaritan, you may remember how the winding road between Jerusalem and Jericho made a great place to ambush and rob travelers. Jesus essentially condemns those in the temple as being at least as bad—if not worse—than those hardened criminals.

Jesus has a purpose that extends beyond just clearing out the corruption. He restores the righteous purpose of God; that His temple be a place of prayer for all nations. Corruption in the courtyard has prevented the Gentiles from entering into faith. Jesus changes that forever. By His action, Jesus restores the temple as a place for prayer and reopens the promise that God’s salvation is for people of all nations. That is the reason He was born and it is the purpose for which He will die in just a few days.

Stirring Anger (vv. 18-19)

The purging restores righteousness and stirs anger and hate.

When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so enthusiastic about Jesus’ teaching. That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city.

Mark 11:18-19 NLT

The resolve of the opposing forces hardens. They fear the people, but now they won’t rest until Jesus is dead. He has opposed them on every front and now He has exposed their greed and hypocrisy.

We see the error of the priests and teachers of the religious law, but before condemning them we need to make sure we examine ourselves. If Jesus showed up here today, would He be pleased with what He finds? What changes would He make?

Would He expose some of us for being here just for show?

Would He reveal anyone for being less than cheerful in bringing an offering?

Would He ask some of us to make things right with other people in order to worship Him?

Would He point out any areas where we have accepted compromise in attitudes, thoughts or actions rather than striving to be like Jesus?

These are questions that need to be asked sincerely and considered seriously?

Jesus Demonstrates That He Is The Lord Of Faith (vv. 12-14; 20-26)

Go back now to look at an account that often puzzles readers—the cursing of the fruitless fig tree.

The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus felt hungry. He noticed a fig tree a little way off that was in full leaf, so he went over to see if he could find any figs on it. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.

Mark 11:12-14 NLT

The account is puzzling because it seems so out of character for Jesus. The only other time Jesus caused destruction was when the many demons were allowed to enter and then destroy the herd of pigs. Jesus demonstrates that He is Lord by using the account to teach two lessons.

The Lesson of Failure

Jesus is hungry as He returns to Jerusalem. He sees a fig tree fully leafed out and goes to check if there might be some figs though it’s too early for figs. Jesus would have known this, so why would He curse the fig tree? Those who have studied fig trees report there are times when a fig tree produces some early figs. From what Jesus sees in the maturity of the leaves, He might reasonably expect to find some figs. He doesn’t. Note this carefull; the fig tree is cursed for the pretense of its leaves and not for its lack of fruit. It promised much; it produced nothing.

This account is about far more than figs. In the Old Testament, the fig tree was used as a symbol for Israel. The history of Israel is all about preparing for the coming of God’s chosen one. The promise was given so that when He came they would receive Him. Chosen by God’s divine appointment, given God’s Law, protected from annihilation, led to a new land, disciplined in exile and blessed beyond measure, Israel stands at the center of the world as God’s source of redemptive hope. Instead of fulfilling that hope by receiving Jesus, they have met His coming with a rigid insistence on empty rituals, human interpretation and meaningless symbols. The hypocrisy Jesus found in the temple was a vivid illustration of just how deep the failure was.

This is a poignant reminder to us that God’s character contains severe judgment as the other side of His longsuffering love. Jesus chooses a fig tree instead of a person to make His point. In doing so, God offers still one more chance. When Rome finally crushed Jerusalem 70 AD, the historian Josephus reported the Romans were running out of space to erect one more cross. The fruitless fig tree provides a chilling warning that God will judge fruitless lives.

A Lesson On Faith (vv. 20-26)

The day after cursing the fig tree and clearing the temple, Jesus and the disciples are once again returning to Jerusalem.

The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it was withered from the roots. Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Teacher! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

Mark 11:20-21 NLT

In just one day the tree has gone from having lush green foliage to dry leaves, dead branches and withered roots. Speaking for the disciples Peter expresses their surprise.

Jesus calls them to have faith in God.

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God.”

Mark 11:22 NLT

They shouldn’t really be surprised. Living in constant dependence upon God—which is exactly what faith is—means God will be at work in our lives. Consider what God can do and wants to do in your life.

By Faith God Does The Impossible (v. 23)

“I assure you that you can say to this mountain, ‘May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,’ and your command will be obeyed. All that’s required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart.”

Mark 11:23 NLT

Rather than focusing on the dead fig tree, Jesus turns the disciples’ attention to the mountains in the area. Removing a mountain served as a common figure of speech to describe something that seemed strong and immovable. Jesus isn’t saying that you can literally move physical mountains—although if true you could sell your services to build roads in Colorado. As Jesus approaches the end of His earthly ministry, He focuses like a laser beam on lessons about faith. Faith in God would sustain His disciples. Faith in God still is the vital ingredient that sustains believers.

By Faith God Answers Prayer (v. 24)

“Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it.”

Mark 11:24 NLT

We must be careful not to isolate this one verse about prayer from the rest of Scripture. If we use this verse only, we could turn God into nothing more than the imaginary genie finally freed from the bottle to grant our wishes. This verse does teach how faith and prayer are joined together to accomplish God’s will in our lives. From this we learn that:

Prayer is not an emergency measure to which we turn when we have a problem.

True prayer is part of our constant dependence upon God and our worship of Him. We believe that He cares about us and our needs and possesses the power to take care of them.

Prayer is not a way to get what we want when we want.

Jesus isn’t telling us that if we pray hard enough and believe strongly enough that God is obligated to answer us, no matter what we ask. That’s only faith in faith and not faith in God. God wants to accomplish His will in our lives. Prayer is not a way to get our will done in heaven but to fulfill God’s will on earth.

By Faith God Leads Us To Forgiveness (vv. 25-26)

“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Mark 11:25-26 NLT

God’s desire is for His children to live together in harmony. This is one of several places in the New Testament stressing how important forgiveness is for God’s will to be accomplished. A failure to forgive others prevents God from completely forgiving your sins. If we won’t release others by forgiving them, God isn’t going to be able to release us by forgiving us. Why? The reason is simple. God wants us to forgive others. If we insist on nursing our grudges and feeding our anger, God isn’t going to be able to forgive the sin for which we stubbornly refuse to ask forgiveness. Jesus wants to be your Lord even in these matters.

Conclusion: Is He Lord?

Jesus is Lord! The people shouted praise for Jesus as He entered the city of Jerusalem. As the beginning of the end unfolds, Jesus demonstrated that He is

Lord of the people

Lord of the church

Lord of faith

But, is He your Lord?

Like those who lined the road with their robes, you may be attracted by what He can do for you without understanding that all He really wants is you!

Like those who desecrated the temple, you may be compromising God’s holy standards with bad attitudes, evil thoughts or wrong actions!

Like those who were surprised to see Jesus had done exactly what He said, you may limit His work by faithless prayers or prayerless faith!

As we have pursued Jesus in the gospel of Mark, we have consistently emphasized Mark’s purpose is to lead people to the truth that Jesus is God’s Son. In your personal pursuit of Jesus, where is He calling you? Where does He desire to be given His place as your Lord?

We struggle when it comes to giving up control. Ron Hutchcraft writes about this struggle.

Now, give me a break. It's not like I'm the only man in the world with this control thing. It must be part of our wiring to be in control. Like driving for example. If you've got four guys traveling together, you usually have four people who want to drive, but that makes the front seat awfully crowded. When a family's going on a long trip, many men make it very clear, "I'll drive." I'm one of those guys who really doesn't like to ride. I like to drive. But a while back, I learned a valuable lesson about this "must drive" neurosis. We had an all-day trip ahead of us and I had a full day of preparation for speaking and radio programs. I find that hard to do with a steering wheel in your hand, which is what the National Safety Council recommends. So my wife drove the whole trip while I buried myself in my work. Man, did I get a lot done!

I learned a lesson that day that I've applied to a number of other trips. You get so much more done when someone else is driving. Great things happen when you finally let go of the wheel and let someone else take it. Especially if the someone else is the One who was supposed to be driving all along. The God who gave you your life is supposed to be driving your life.

But we'd rather do the driving ourselves. Sure, we don't mind having God as a passenger in our life. It's nice to have Him along. Just so long as He doesn't have the wheel. And me driving the life God gave me is exactly what the Bible means when it talks about our "sin" - me driving when God was supposed to be. Taking my life where I want it to go instead of where He created it to go. Doing what I feel like doing with my life instead of living as I was made to live. If you're wondering why you never seem to get to the destination you've been looking for, if you're wondering why you feel lost, why there have been costly crashes, it's because the wrong person is driving.

Jesus wants to drive. He wants to have control. He wants to be Lord!