Day #307

Sermon - Audio
Mark 11, John 12 - Reading
Mark 11, John 12 - Audio

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Mark 11

11.7-9: The spreading of cloaks and the waving of branches symbolized paying homage to a king.

11.9: “Hosanna” means “O save”. The time of Passover reminded all of God’s rescue from Egypt. It was also a reminder of Old Testament promises that David’s throne would be restored. The hopes of the people of Israel for all of this are tied up on this day of the triumphal entry.

11.13: “It was not yet the season for figs.” These words mean that it was not yet the season for the time when the tree would bear large amount of figs for harvesting. Fig trees at this time would have early figs on them. If they did not have any figs it was a sign that tree would not bear figs at all that year i.e. it would be unfruitful. The fig tree becomes a symbol for the temple leadership that is not only unfruitful, but actually keeps others from bearing fruit.

11.17: Jesus teaches during the cleansing of the temple. He doesn’t just clear the place, he tells them why he is doing it.

11.17: “den of robbers” comes for Jeremiah 7. Robber’s dens are the places they kept their ill-gotten gain. Jesus is comparing the temple to a place robbers use to store their treasures that were obtained illegally. In doing so, he is saying that the temple leaders are crooks who are stealing. This was the truth. Certain leading families who sold things had weights and measures that were balanced in their favor. They were robbing the worshippers.

11.22-25: These verses raise a large number of questions for many. If God gives his children whatever they ask for in prayer, then why don’t we always get what we ask for? Some thoughts:

*God gives us whatever we ask for except for those things the Bible says he will not give us. If something is not in tune with the will of God, he will not give it to us. Two examples of this: Jesus still goes to the cross after asking to have “this cup” taken away and Paul does not get rid of his thorn in the flesh.

*God gives us in this context the gift of forgiveness. Giving this forgiveness is a mountain moving thing.

*Since the context of this passage is about the unfruitfulness of the temple authorities, perhaps the main prayer Jesus is talking about is a prayer for us to be fruitful for God. God will honor this prayer.

11.29-30: Jesus does the rabbinic thing and answers a question with a question. It is a masterful question since it puts the temple leaders in a no win situation.

John 12

12.1-2: This is a scene worth savoring. Lazarus, who was dead a short time before, now sits with the man who raised him from the dead. The people at the table are certainly some of those who had Jesus perform the miracle. The family wants to show its appreciation for what Jesus has done so they have a dinner in his honor. One can’t help but wonder what the conversation was among the guests, what it was like for Lazarus to be at the table with Jesus. The dinner must have had an air of wonder and awe.

12.5: Oddly, Judas’ objection to this act of extravagance might be something many people in our day would assume should come from the lips of Jesus. How can such an extravagance be OK in the middle of great poverty?

12.7-8: In a brilliant move Jesus commends Mary’s extravagance and reminds his disciples of their continuing need to care for the poor. These words may also connect with Deuteronomy 15 where we are told, 4 But there will be no poor among you; for the Lord will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess— 5 if only you will strictly obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today. The idea is that there are poor and will always be poor because God’s people do not live in such a way that brings blessings on the land that keeps people from poverty. Such failure reminds the people why they need Jesus to die (the perfume prepares him for his burial). When we see poverty it is a reminder of our own failings to live up to the kind of covenant standards that God calls us to.

12.15: “Jesus is depicted as the humble shepherd-king of Zech. 9:9, who comes to the Holy City to take his rightful place. An early messianic prophecy speaks of a ruler from Judah who, riding on a donkey, will command the obedience of nations (Gen. 49:10–11). Fear not may be taken from Isa. 40:9, where the reference is to the one who brings good tidings to Zion (cf. Isa. 44:2).” ESV Study Bible

12:18-19 – Both Pharisees and Followers are excitable for different reasons.

12.24: Jesus’ words first of all refer to himself. He is the one who die so that he can bear much fruit. But quickly it becomes apparent that Jesus’ words about himself are words that shape the lives of all who follow him.

12.25-26: The person who hates his life is defined by Jesus as the person who follows and serves him. To follow Jesus means to let someone else take the lead in determining the route you are going. To hate yourself, then, is to allow Jesus to take the lead. It also means to stop holding to your own beliefs and instead hold to the teachings and instructions of Jesus. To serve Jesus means to give humble service to him.

12.31: Jesus declares that his death will bring about the defeat of Satan. We read in Colossians 2.13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities 1 and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

12.44-50: Jesus insists that to receive him is to receive the one who sent him. To reject him means a person will be judged by his Father. Jesus also holds out that he has been faithful to his commission in both word and deed.