PROCLAMATIONS IN JERUSALEM
Mark 11
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Pastor Brian Matherlee
Introduction
“Place Called Hope”, by the Gaither Vocal Band, tells the story of the Prodigal Son. His story illustrates the hope people long for…that maybe, just maybe, we can be accepted, delivered, rescued even when we have totally ruined our relationship with our God.
Our Scripture passage today is about the fulfillment of hope people saw coming down the streets of Jerusalem.
Summary:
Read Mark 11
All four Gospels record the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Sunday prior to His crucifixion.
Three aspects of His coming to Jerusalem are related more than they appear at first glance.
• Procession through the streets
• Confrontation in the temple
• Cursing of the fig tree-occurs in Matthew and Mark
These three events tie together in that Jesus is proclaiming three important truths about the nature of the coming kingdom:
1. I am the Messiah
a. The Messiah of righteousness (Zechariah 9:9, Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.)
i. Set against the nature of religion and government of that day, Jesus was all that these institutions were not and exactly what the people needed but not what everyone wanted.
ii. Righteousness makes the unrepentant uncomfortable.
b. The One and Only Messiah
i. Luke records the anger of the religious leaders because the disciples were proclaiming the truth of Jesus and that threatened their establishment.
c. The Messiah of Peace
i. A conquering king would have ridden a war horse, but a king delivering peace came riding a symbol of peace-a docile, ordinary creature.
ii. Jesus was announcing his kingdom in the most politically benign way possible. He made it evident He wanted nothing to do with overthrowing governments of this world.
The second proclamation
2. Worship has become all about you instead of all about God
a. “When he entered the temple area, the smell of the animals entered his nostrils; and the noise from the moneychangers’ tables beat on his ears. Why were they there? For the convenience of pilgrims, the cattlemen and the moneychangers had set up business in the Court of the Gentiles. The animals were sold for sacrifices. It was far easier for a pilgrim coming to Jerusalem to purchase one that was guaranteed kosher than to bring an animal with him and have it inspected for meeting the kosher requirements. The Roman money the pilgrims brought to Jerusalem had to be changed into the Tyrian currency, since the annual temple tax had to be paid in that currency. Exorbitant prices were often charged for changing the currency. By overturning the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of those selling doves, Jesus was directly and forcefully challenging the authority of the high priest, because they were there by his authorization.
b. Jesus also put a stop to casual use of the temple by those who used it as a shortcut between the city and the Mount of Olives (v.16).” (Zondervan Study notes)
c. Luke tells us that the people were praising Jesus for all the miracles He had done among them.
d. Worship is the centerpiece of the church.
e. Dr. Bob Black from Southern Wesleyan University states in a recent writing five principles to guide us in worship:
i. It is God-centered
ii. It is an offering
iii. It is work
iv. It is grounded in Scripture
v. It is both adoration and celebration
f. What is our worship consumed with?
i. What I like (music, décor, preaching style, etc.)
ii. What I can afford (God’s kind of giving is generous…we are so wrapped up in debt and desiring things we give God what’s left instead of what’s right)
iii. What is convenient (I’ll be there if I have nothing better to do)
iv. What is suitable to my opinion (Preacher, you can step on toes—but not mine—and if you do, you’re gone/or we say, “that’s just your interpretation)
v. What is short in duration and dignified (adoration takes time & celebration is unrestrained joy)
The last proclamation
3. Hypocrites better beware
a. The cursing of the fig tree occurs in Matthew 21 and Mark 11.
b. The problem is that this tree gave the appearance of bearing early figs because it was fully leafed out. (Isaiah 28:4 states that there were times that fig trees bore fruit early.)
c. It ties into the rest of the entry into Jerusalem in that Jesus was setting things right. He had proclaimed himself as rightful Messiah, proclaimed the judgment upon the improper, immoral activities in the temple and now He proclaims judgment upon those who wish to put on appearances and have nothing of substance in their lives.
Conclusion
The people who rejected Jesus coming were so sure of themselves. They refused to look at the way they were living, listen to the teaching of Jesus and change. We believe Jesus is the Son of God but we reject His call to personal holiness and fruitful living and instead rely upon past experiences and “cheap grace”.
The people who received Jesus coming were sure they needed a Savior. They saw the way they were living, saw the life change Jesus could make and embraced the hope He ushered in. Today, these people not only receive God’s forgiveness, but they take up their cross and follow.
Lk 19:41, As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it Lk 19:42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. Lk 19:43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. Lk 19:44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
Let’s recall a line from the song the quartet sang:
“There’s a place where lost sons go”.
That place is God alone…that’s a place called hope.
Complacent Christian, God is calling you home.
Hungry heart, God is calling you home.
