Mark 11 - Authority

Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Today's reading illustrates Jesus' divine authority.

By our own wisdom, we may not have chosen the fig tree illustration, but it makes the point, as does the temple cleansing.

We saw that also in John 2.

Joh 2:13  And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

Joh 2:14  And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

Joh 2:15  And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

Joh 2:16  And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

Joh 2:17  And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

Joh 2:18  Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

Joh 2:19  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Joh 2:20  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

Joh 2:21  But he spake of the temple of his body.

Joh 2:22  When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

So it is likely, Jesus did the cleansing more that once, since John's example comes early in his ministry.

It serves as a lead in to reminding his disciples about the resurrection....which they will soon experience.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

Mar 11:12  And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:

Mar 11:13  And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

Mar 11:14  And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

As with the wind and waves Jesus has full authority.

John Gill writes...

no man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever; which is all one, as if he had said, as the other evangelist does, let no fruit grow on thee; for where no fruit is, none can be had, or eaten of. This tree may not only be an emblem of the Jewish people, who made a great show of religion, and enjoyed a great many privileges; and from whom, speaking after the manner of men, the fruits of good works, righteousness, and holiness, might have been hoped and looked for; when instead thereof, there was nothing but talk about them, and an observance of some insignificant rites and traditions of the "elders"; on which account, utter ruin and destruction ensued; but also of any outward professor of religion, who enjoying the means of grace, and making great pretensions to devotion and piety, it might be expected that he should do good works, well pleasing to God, and bring forth fruit to the glory of his name: whereas he only talks of good works, but does none; at least, no fruits of grace and righteousness are to be found on him; and at the last day, he will be cast as dry wood, as a withered branch, into everlasting burnings, being fit fuel for them.

Pro 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Mar 11:15  And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

Mar 11:16  And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.

Mar 11:17  And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Mar 11:18  And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

Mar 11:19  And when even was come, he went out of the city.

As with the John example it is amazing that Jesus' presence allowed him to cast them out.

The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree

Mar 11:20  And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

Mar 11:21  And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

Mar 11:22  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

Mar 11:23  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Mar 11:24  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Mar 11:25  And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mar 11:26  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Out of this incident comes the above doctrinal teaching, we must be careful to note take this out of context, and to create either "the name it and claim it" gospel or it's peer the prosperity gospel!

To this end we should keep in mind the WSC Q1 answer.

What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

All that we do and ask for is to be done for God's glory.

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

Mar 11:27  And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,

Mar 11:28  And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?

Mar 11:29  And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Mar 11:30  The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.

Mar 11:31  And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

Mar 11:32  But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.

Mar 11:33  And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.