MARK 11:1-26 TO JERUSALEM The time of "observation" of the Lamb of God for three and a half years had passed. Like the Passover lamb that was carefully watched for three and a half days before being sacrificed, so the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Passover, now comes to Jerusalem to be offered. He entered the city in just the way the prophets had said in their writings hundreds of years before. He came in a public way riding on the "foal of an ass," never ridden before, into the city as the King - majestic in His meekness in the middle of a procession of poverty. Right up to the temple He went to investigate the manner of so-called worship that was going on. It was plain to see the practices there were not what was meant to be - "they that worship the Father must worship Him in Spirit and in truth." The nation had rejected God for the form of religion they had made and for profit in business. These are the same issues that are being repeated today. People are looking for a place where they can be "comfortable" and "interface" with other people for material profit and/or pleasure. We need to remember God knows what is going on even if He does nothing to stop or change it at the moment.
Interesting it is to note that when He came to the city that second day, the fruitless fig tree was used by the Lord to illustrate what had happened and what was yet to happen to a faithless nation. The purpose of a fig tree is to bear fruit. A faithless nation had turned the "house of prayer" into something very different from its original intention. Prayer is an expression of faith. Faith in God produces fruit. Prayer-less people are faithless people. Faithless people are fruitless people. Fruitless people become rootless people. Rootless people are lifeless people. Even as the dead tree left a visible testimony to the disciples as to the nation of Israel, so our fruitlessness is a warning as to what is ahead.
The Lord Jesus used this whole illustrative event to press upon the disciples the principles of faith, of fruit- bearing and of forgiveness. Driving the hucksters, who were profiting in the name of God out of the temple, exposes the hypocrisy that accompanies the man-made forms that are developed for the convenience of those who accept religion without faith in God and His Word. That is followed by the principle of fruit-bearing that is taught by the negative - by what it is not. Fruit is not there because a tree looks like a fruit tree with big "fig leaves." It is what is hidden from the casual observer that is important. "Man, looketh on the outward appearance, but God looketh on the heart." Under those leaves there was no fruit. Faith does produce fruit. Perhaps it is the "peaceable fruit of righteousness." It may be "the fruit of the Spirit" seen in the nature of a person, not just in visible actions.
"Faith in God" is the key to fruitfulness and true forgiveness. One must be a believer when praying and not be holding a grudge against others. Prayer without selfish motives means that I direct my prayer to God for His "answers in peace." If my focus in prayer is upon the request, the things I ask for, rather than God and His will, the request has no reason to be granted. Everything is possible with God but His will in a matter, not mine, is what counts. Forgiveness is necessary for fruitfulness and answers to prayer. A heart that truly forgives can appropriately handle blessings received as answers to prayer. Pride, vengeance and disharmony must be replaced by forgiveness, grace and love.
To watching eyes, they would have seen holy tears As the Mighty King came into the city. Those who the truth would have been filled with fears - As they listened to the Savior's words filled with pity. The outward forms they so prized were just that - There was no substance, no reality, no faith That the Perfect Servant representing God could catch; Business and profit had taken over even that holy place.
Is it possible in the interest of pleasing everyone; To compromise or abandon what God intends. Much is happening but the most important left undone When we try to bring God down as being simply one of our friends. He is infinitely holy in His character and His Being - He is of holier eyes than to "look upon sin." It is the inward thoughts of human hearts He is seeing - And He knows exactly what people think of Him.
One may say, "I think you are making God out to be severe. I am sure He wants me to have lots of fun." Those who think that, need to listen and hear What the Lord said about the prodigal son. We need to consider carefully once again What God meant when He said His thoughts are higher than ours. To "have faith in God" is where prayer begins - The fruit of the Spirit over sin empowers.
There are consequences to faithlessness we can't miss - If continued in, abundant life will soon be gone. It always has been God's practice to heal and to bless Those who come in faith to Him in the name of His Son. From the tree of my life there can be produced - Fruit that can bring God honor and glory. Forgiveness that by faith is induced - Can make victorious living the end of faith's story.
"Father, I do have faith in Thee. My problem is sometimes it is weak. For Thy Word which increases my faith, I thank Thee and will seek to read and understand the truths contained in it and live them out in practical application in life's events. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."