[:en]SCRIPTURE: MARK 11
Bible Verses:
“Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna![”“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[ “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Mark 11:9-10)
““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.” (Mark 11:17)
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly[f] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:22-26)
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY (vs. 1-11)
During a coronation celebration, Jesus sent four of his disciples to bring a donkey for him to ride. As he entered Jerusalem, he sat on the donkey and the people spread their cloaks on the road while others spread branches and shouted: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!. Hosanna in the highest!” (vs. 9-10). The Lord permitted a public demonstration in His honor to fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 and Psalms 118:26-27).
JESUS CLEARS THE TEMPLE (vs. 12-19)
As Jesus entered into the temple area, he saw buying and selling transactions. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the bench of those selling doves because they had made the temple a den of robbers.
THE WITHERED FIG TREE (vs. 20-26)
When Jesus saw the fig tree without fruits, he said: “May no one ever eat fruit from you again” (v. 14). The following morning, the fig tree withered from the roots.
Jesus told the disciples to have faith in God. And whatever they ask in prayer will be given. He also emphasized that we should not hold anything against anyone but forgive them so that our Father in heaven will also forgive us.
THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS QUESTIONED (vs. 27-32)
The religious leaders were trying to question the authority of Jesus. In response, Jesus asked them about the authority of John the Baptist which they could not answer. So Jesus replied: “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things” (v. 33)
REFLECTION:
- When Jesus rode the donkey into Jerusalem, people showed a public demonstration of his honor. Do you proclaim the kingship of Jesus?
- Is your church a place of true worship or it is a place for business transaction?
- Jesus cursed the fig tree that did not produce fruits. Are you bearing spiritual fruits?
- Do you have faith that can move mountains?
- Have you forgiven people that are against you?
- Do you acknowledge the authority and sovereignty of Jesus?
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