November 3: Mark 11, John 12

November 3, Mark 11, John 12

Mark & John continued…

Mark 11 Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. This is also referred to as the start of Passion Week and is also recorded in Matthew 21 and Luke 19. When Jesus and His disciples were drawing near to Jerusalem, Jesus stopped and sent 2 of His disciples ahead of them. He told them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.” Seems like a strange request, until we realize that Jesus is again fulfilling prophecy. This event was prophesied many years before by Isaiah and Zechariah. And lets be honest, only God could orchestrate things to work out exactly like they happen. Just as Jesus said, it happened. They brought the colt to Jesus. They threw some jackets on the donkey for Jesus to ride into town. Many people there threw their jackets on the ground for Jesus to walk on and branches as well to signify their concept of his political power. Many Jews thought that Jesus would be making a literal earthly kingdom in power. This is why they were so excited! Finally somebody could stand up to Rome. From Bakers commentary, and well worth the read, “However, he also shows the crowds what kind of Messiah he is, namely, not the earthly Messiah of Israel’s dreams, the One who wages war against an earthly oppressor, but the One who came to promote and establish “the things that make for peace” (Luke 19:42), lasting peace: reconciliation between God and man, and between a man and his fellow man. Accordingly, Jesus enters Jerusalem mounted on a colt, the foal of an ass, an animal associated not with the rigors of war but with the pursuits of peace, for he is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). But the people in general, their minds filled with earthly ideas concerning the Coming One, did not understand or appreciate this. In hailing him as the Messiah, the people were right; the Pharisees, chief priests, and scribes (Matt. 21:15, 16; Luke 19:39, 40) were wrong. But in expecting this Messiah to reveal himself as a political, earthly Messiah the Hosanna shouters were as wrong as were their leaders. Those who in every way rejected Jesus were committing a crime, but those who outwardly “accepted” and cheered him were also doing him a gross injustice, for they did not accept him for what he really was. Their tragic mistake was committed with dire results for themselves. It is not surprising therefore that Luke pictures a weeping King in the midst of a shouting multitude (19:39–44), nor is it strange that, a little later, when the crowds begin to understand that Jesus is not the kind of Messiah they had expected, they, at the urging of their leaders, were shouting, “Crucify (him)!”

Jesus curses the fig tree. At first read, there seems to be a discrepancy between Mark’s account and Matthew’s. But when you understand that Matthew condensed the version and Mark gave it in more detail, it makes sense and is not contradictory but complimentary. Think about what Jesus had just come from and then they were walking and they were hungry. They came to a fig tree and Jesus found that there was no fruit on it, but leaves. “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” Mark records a day gap in between the events and then we learn that as they were walking by it, they noticed that the fig tree that Jesus had cursed was now withered. The disciples were blown away and wondered how it just withered like that instantly. “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” This is the kind of faith we are to have and also we are to make sure that we have forgiven those who have sinned against us so that God will forgive us. Makes sense, doesn't it? How can we expect to be forgiven if we are unwilling to forgive…

Jesus cleanses the Temple. “And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons” Look at what the world had become! It was opposite of what God intended it and Jesus came to make it right. Jesus was aghast at what He saw because “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” God’s house was to be a house of prayer not of commerce and profiting off of people. The Pharisees were indignant again with Jesus and wanted to find a way to destroy him. But they were afraid of Him because the crowd was astonished at His teaching. Then He left them…

The Authority of Jesus Challenged. The Chief Priests and the scribes and the elders (Jewish leaders) came up to Jesus and asked him by what authority He had to say and do what He was doing. Jesus, oh how I love Him, said to them “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me” He was so good at what He did. They couldn't answer because either way that they answered would have been wrong. Because, “f we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet.” They feared man so much that it completely tainted how they operated. Since they didn't answer Jesus He didn't answer them by what authority He was doing what He was doing - even though they knew…

John 12 Mary anoints Jesus at Bethany. Let me try to paint a picture for you through Scripture… Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Mary, Martha’s, and Lazarus’ home for dinner. Martha, as usual, was serving, while Lazarus and the disciples were hanging out with Jesus, reclining at the table. It is safe to assume that Martha was making dinner for about 15 people - Jesus and His disciples, and her family. Where was Mary? She was getting a jar of extremely expensive ointment. From Bakers commentary, “The essence of this ointment was derived from pure nard, which is an aromatic herb grown in the high pasture-land of the Himalayas, between Tibet and India. In view of the fact that it had to be procured in a region so remote, and carried on camel-back through miles and miles of mountain-passes, it was very high-priced. Note, moreover, that this nard was no substitute. On the contrary, it was the genuine article. The ointment was extracted from pure nard.” It is easy to see that Mary loved Jesus much, as did her siblings - not in a romantic way, but in a way that we are to love Jesus as well. She then opens the jar and anoints Jesus with it and literally wipes his feet with her hair. There is so much ointment that it needed to be dried off. Think about how the house must have smelled - full of beautiful ointment. Here is a classic example of someone playing Christianity but having his heart far from Jesus, “But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” Do you see what I mean? It sounds holy, but it is demonic. Judas had his mind on himself and on money. We learn that he often helped himself - stole - to the offerings that they received because he was the treasurer in charge of their money that they received for Jesus’ ministry. He was not concerned about the poor as he states, but about himself being poor. Mary must have felt inadequate at this point, until Jesus came to her defense and said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” Again, I learned this morning about how much Mary loved Jesus from the Word and it helped me understand when I read this from Bakers Commentary, “Mary knew what she was doing. She actually believed that before long Jesus would be put to death by his enemies. Would his friends be given the opportunity to anoint his body? Yet, this honor must not be withheld. Mary owes so much, so very much, to Jesus! To him she owes her salvation, and … the recovery of her brother Lazarus from the very realm of the dead. Hence, she had decided to keep the ointment for the day of her Lord’s burial. Not, however, in the sense that she literally wanted to keep the jar tightly closed until that day had actually arrived, for that might be too late; but thus, that she would keep it until a good opportunity would present itself, and then she would anoint him in anticipation of his burial. It was now or never!”

The plot to kill Lazarus! Here, we learn that Lazarus is guilty by association… The Chief Priests were making plans to kill Lazarus because “because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.” How do you like that? Many were believing in Jesus because Lazarus was telling the stories of what Christ had done for him! 

Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. This is very similar to Mark 11 and is also recorded in Matthew 21 and Luke 19… see above. One thing that John records is that “His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.” When Jesus finally died and rose from the dead, then they remembered and it made sense.

Some Greeks seek Jesus. “Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.” Notice that the Greeks went up (remember that you always had to ‘go up’ to Jerusalem because it was on a hill) to worship God. Greeks here does not necessarily mean from Greece, but rather it refers to Gentiles - God fearing non-Jews. They most likely would have been non-circumcised God fearing people. These Greeks wanted to meet Jesus, so they went to Phillip to set up a time. They wanted to meet Jesus - don’t miss that. Jesus’ response is interesting to say the least, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” The disciples were simply passing on an inquiry and Jesus is stating a couple of things. Jesus knew he was about to be killed and He knew that when He died, the Gentiles would be made ok to come to Christ - there was much animosity towards them as they were not Jews. Jesus must die first in order for them to be reached for God. So, like a  seed, it literally has to die in order to be replanted and fruitful. Again, from Bakers commentary, “The illustration was very clear, especially at the moment when it was spoken, not more than a few days before the (religious and) harvest feast of Passover. The kernels or seeds had been entrusted to the soil. As seeds they had died. But by means of this very process of dissolution they had brought forth an abundant harvest. If a seed is not sown, it remains alone, producing no fruit. So also if Jesus does not die, he will remain alone, without spiritual fruit (souls saved for eternity). His death, however, will result in a rich, spiritual harvest.” But Jesus was not done yet! He goes on to explain to the disciples and the Jews standing around them, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”  Jesus is clearly stating that He must be number 1 in their lives, getting all their love and service. He is saying the same thing to us today.

The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up. Oh, there is so much here… so much life changing Words. 

• "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.”
• Jesus knew what was coming - his death. He came on earth to be born of a virgin, live a sinless life, lead people to His Father, be killed by religious people, be buried and resurrected 3 days later… All for God’s Glory! He didn't ‘wimp’ out and not go through with His calling, as horrible as it would be. But looked to God…
• “The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him. Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. ”
• Picture this would you? Jesus just prayed that God would be glorified and then God speaks. Through Jesus all may glorify at God - that is the point. God had heard the prayer of Jesus and validated Him through the thunder.
• "Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”
• Satan will be defeated as Christ will leave this world - Jesus again prophesied about what was to happen to Him. With it comes judgement. 
• "So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”  So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” 
• The crowd was confused and Jesus explained to them that He will only be with them a little while longer - but to walk in Him is to walk in the light and darkness will not have dominion over you. If you align yourself with Christ, you will become one of His and will literally be His sons of Light.

The unbelief of the people. When Jesus told them these things he went away and hid himself. Even though Jesus had done many signs and wonders for them, some still did not believe - this was fulfilling prophecy from Isaiah. God is a Sovereign God. Bummer here - “Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”  Fear of man keeps you from God. Loving mans glory - if you think about it - is so temporary and fleeting. Loving God’s glory is eternal. 

Jesus Came to Save the World. Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.  And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” 

Summary on that 

• Believe in Jesus and you believe in God. See Jesus and see God. Jesus is light and rescues us from darkness - you will not stay in the dark if you have the light of Christ. 
• Jesus is the Savior, God is the judge
• Reject Jesus and you reject God, the judge
• Jesus’ authority came from God and we must obey Him

To sum it all up: 

• Our faith is to be such that if we tell a mountain to be thrown into the sea it will and we are to have this level of faith. Added into this is our prayer life and pursuit of holiness… also we are to make sure that we have forgiven those who have sinned against us so that God will forgive us. Makes sense, doesn't it? How can we expect to be forgiven if we are unwilling to forgive…
• Mary. She loved Jesus and was grateful for all He had done for her and it was obvious. Not to say that Martha and Lazarus were not as grateful, as they had received so much from Him too, but here is my point: What are you doing to show Jesus that you are incredibly grateful for His Salvation and love for you? Is it obvious to those around you that you are serving Him, hanging out with Him, or giving everything for Him?
• If the Chief Priests were around today, would they want to kill you like they wanted to kill Lazarus? Are you telling people about what Jesus has done for you and what He can do for them?
• Don't be too hard on the disciples - look at your own life. Is it safe to say that there have been many times in our lives when things don’t ‘click’ or make sense, and then later it is like a lightbulb that goes off and it is clear as a bell?   
• Is Jesus first in your life? “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” Have you given your life to Jesus and surrendered your desires to Him? Honor and blessing await you…
• Is your faith alive? Can your faith move mountains in the name of Jesus? You only get one life - live it for Christ and not yourself. You cannot save yourself…
• It is lame if you think about it - wanting mans praise instead of God’s! I went to a Yankee game one time. Alex Rodrigues was in his prime and the first time up he nailed it out of the park and the people screamed with love and adoration. The next time up to bat, he struck out and the people literally threw garbage on the field and screamed disappointment and disgust. Going for man’s praise is so temporary. Going for God’ praise is eternal.