Mark 11 – 12
Verse 11:11 has Jesus riding into Jerusalem:
To the sound of this chanting, Jesus rode through the gates of Jerusalem and up to the temple. He looked around and saw that evening was coming, so He and the twelve went back to Bethany to spend the night.
This is a prophecy that Zechariah 9:9 predicted and was fulfilled. Now the “nay sayers” will always point to this and say Jesus knew of this prophecy and was forcing the situation. This may be true, but at the same time God made the prophecy and Jesus had to fulfill it. Also, most ignore the fact that Jesus knew where the colt would be showing supernatural abilities.
Verses 11:15 – 17 Jesus clears the temple of money changers (will not print all the verses) and I wanted to make a quick note of this. One of my favorite plays is Jesus Christ Superstar and this scene is depicted in the play. In the play the temple looks more like a brothel than a house of God, where in all the scriptures the people are just selling sacrifices. Granted both are wrong, but I think the JC Superstar depiction was over the top to deceive people, or maybe it was just “artistic license” to make the point of the corruption.
Verse 11:21 is Jesus’ only time he used his supernatural powers in wrath:
Peter (remembering): 21 That’s the fig tree, Teacher, the one You cursed just yesterday morning. It’s withered away to nothing!
Jesus’ response was simply “trust in God” and you can do anything. How many of us have tried to move a mountain in faith or uproot a tree or heal someone and failed? I know I have and this honestly bothers me since it implies my faith is not strong. At the same time is moving a mountain literal, or is there a hidden meaning lost in translation? Don’t know?
Either way this was the first time wrath of God rained from heaven and killed a fig tree. Interesting how Jesus could have done this more for “effect” but did not. Heck He could have saved himself, but followed God as he should. I wonder if this was done to show everyone the power He could call on not only for healing, but destruction also.
Verse 12:6 is part of the story of the vineyard owner:
He had a son whom he loved above all things, and he said to himself, “When these thugs see my son, they’ll know he carries my authority. They’ll have to respect him.”
This was pointed right at the religious leaders who were plotting against Jesus. Jesus is the son and God is the owner, just in case you missed the analogy. The salves beforehand I assume were the prophets who told Israel what they did not want to hear.
Verses 12:30 & 31 are in response to a question on the “greatest” commandment:
30 You should love the Eternal, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” 31 The second great commandment is this: “Love others in the same way you love yourself.” There are no commandments more important than these.
Why did Jesus not say one, but rather two commandments? Simple, you follow 1 and 2, the rest come simple. You love God and the commandments are not some legalistic mumbo jumbo, but something you know pleases God. If you love your neighbor, murder, coveting and other laws against others would not be a problem. I like the way the law is love others as you love yourself. Again this is one of those translational things, I have heard some equate it to masturbation, but in reality it’s the care for others as you would yourself.
This is a problem with the “Emo” crowd, who seems to hate themselves but is an opportunity to show God’s love also.