Ihop & The Case Of The Missing Figs - Mark 11:9-21 Series

Mark 11:1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ ” 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. 12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. 15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” 18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. 19 When evening came, they went out of the city. 20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

Introduction

Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the high… whoa – what is… John, is Jesus … crying?

“He is. In fact, He’s not just crying – listen to Him. He’s wailing!”

Why? All His disciples are here shouting praises and laying down palm branches in front of Him. This is His moment of glory – why is He crying? What … what is He saying?

“Oh Jerusalem! Jerusalem! If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.”

We could tell, as we walked along with Jesus approaching Jerusalem, that He was pleased with the praises of the disciples, and all the hosannas. He really was. But it was a bittersweet time, because He was absolutely heartbroken over the city of Jerusalem.

Some of us were wondering out loud what kind of reception He would get when He entered the city. The last time Jesus was in Jerusalem they tried to stone Him to death, and He escaped and never went back to Jerusalem … until today. We’ll see.

Oh boy, here they all come. Wow! People are just streaming out of their homes to see what’s going on. I guess they heard our shouts and everybody is curious.

“Who is this?”

“It’s Jesus – the prophet from Nazareth up in Galilee.”

“Oh, I’ve heard of him.”

And with that, they all just turned and went on their way. Not much response. I was hoping they would realize He is the Messiah and join us in our praises. But they’re just indifferent. Well, at least they aren’t picking up stones again – that was a little nerve racking.

Looks like Jesus has regained His composure for the most part. Where to now, Master? Oh, straight to the Temple? You don’t want to get settled or freshen up or anything? OK - off to the temple.

Now don’t get me wrong – I love the temple. In fact, I’m really excited about seeing it again. It’s the house of God! And there’s no structure like it in the world – it’s amazing. It’s just that … at Passover, the place is an absolute zoo. I mean, you think it’s crowded right here - you watch. The closer we get to the temple, the harder it will be to even move. For those of you Gentiles who don’t know what it’s like – Passover is when everybody in the entire nation of Israel crams into Jerusalem and comes to the temple to offer their lamb on the altar. I could show you later on back around the other side of the temple – there’s literally a river of blood flowing out from all the lambs that are being slaughtered. Hundreds of thousands of them – even with all the priests working around the clock they can barely keep up.