Verses 1-11
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Notice that Jesus simply told His disciples what they would encounter, and it happened just as He said it. When God has need of something, for His plans, no part of creation can resist.
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A stranger gave Jesus his donkey simply because “the Lord had need of it.”
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Remember that no part of creation can resist God's plan, and every prophecy shall be fulfilled! Amen!
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Even though, in the previous chapter, Jesus had assured His disciples that He would be soon be arrested and led away to death, He boldly and publicly entered Jerusalem.
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Jesus' time of secrecy was over. He was not proclaiming Himself to be the King and Messiah foretold by the prophet Zechariah.
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Remember that even under threat of imminent death, we are safest when in obedience to God. Remain in obedience, and regardless of circumstances, you will be safe.
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Verses 12-17
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Jesus' first action, upon entering the temple, was to cleanse it of all that defiled it, and to heal all that were hurting.
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When Christ enters into our lives, He intends to cleanse us of anything that dishonors God.
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Expect the Spirit to drive sin out of your life! And as Jesus was, be zealous about cleansing sin from your life and from the lives of others.
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Salesmen in the temple were selling animals at high prices to those that needed them for burnt offerings, claiming that only their animals were the ones approved for offerings.
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Notice that these in the temple were in the business of taking, while Jesus was in the work of giving healing to those who needed it.
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As believers and churches, we should be known as those who give life to those who know us. Don't be known as a someone who takes value, but someone who gives value.
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Verses 15-17. The priests and scribes likely thought that this great praise from children, proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, was uncalled for. After all, children say all kinds of fantastical things!
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But Jesus proved them wrong, showing from the Scriptures that out of the mouths of children comes perfect praise. Therefore, what the children were saying about Jesus was perfect truth.
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Children are not afraid to say what is true. Be like a child and don't be afraid to boldly express your love for Jesus Christ as the Messiah and the one true God!
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Verses 18-22
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Fig trees are only supposed to have leaves when they also have fruit.
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This tree made the appearance of fruit, but without any substance.
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Scripture teaches that we, as believers, should be fruitful in every good work (Colossians 1:10). Having no obedience to the Word, while claiming to be a believer, is hypocrisy.
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Be truly obedient to God, and don't be a pretender! As the tree angered Jesus, we also will anger God if we're only pretenders!
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For additional insights, see teaching on Mark 11.
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Verses 21-22. All believers have some faith. But to believe without doubt—that's where the power is.
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Understand that requests in prayers are granted when there is sufficient faith. Grow your faith if you want to see more answered prayer!
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The more that your faith grows, the more powerful of a tool and advantage for the kingdom prayer becomes.
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Verses 23-32
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Verses 23-27. Understand that not every question has to be answered. Don't be ruled or controlled by the questions of skeptics; and don't answer useless or insincere questions.
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If you will speak with wisdom and authority from the Word, you should control the conversation.
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Reply to questions with questions. Use questions to get people to think about what's important, rather than giving unimportant answers to unimportant questions.
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Verses 28-32. The Pharisees were the first to say Yes to obeying God, while others said No;namely, sinners such as tax collectors and prostitutes. But when John the Baptist came with God's authority, these sinners repented and believed. However, the Pharisees rejected John, and their Yes to God became a No, because they did not repent.
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So, by means of a parable, Jesus proved to the Pharisees that they were the first to claimobedience to God, but the tax collectors and prostitutes were the first to truly obey, and therefore the first to enter the kingdom.
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Remember that God doesn't care about how quickly you say Yes to obeying Him. He cares about whether you take action to obey Him.
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Verses 33-46
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Jesus again uses a parable and the Pharisees' own words to show them their sin.
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The parable tells of how God entrusted His covenant and His Word to the Jewish people. But the Jews became rebellious, and they persecuted and killed the prophets they He sent to them, to try to get them to repent.
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Eventually, He sent His own Son, Jesus, to them. But Jesus tells that the Jews would kill him.
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Then, the Pharisees unknowingly predict that they would be destroyed by God for killing His Son.
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Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22-23 to demonstrate that, though He was rejected, He would become their King.
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And the relationship with God that was first given to the Jews would be taken from them and given to the Gentiles. Why?
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Verses 43-44. Those who show obedience to God (fruit) are those who enter God's kingdom and eternal life.
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It's breaks a person to fall on God in repentance. This is necessary to see changed life. But this uncomfortable breaking is far better than God falling on you in judgment, if you remained an unbeliever.
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As a believer, continually, accept the pain of repenting. It's always better that way.
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