JESUS’ HUMBLE KINGSHIP
Mark 11:1-19
Key Verse: 11:9
Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
From this chapter we get a look at the last week of Jesus’ ministry. There are many expectations among the people and a lot of evil impressions among the current Jewish leadership. Even the disciples were astonished, overjoyed and afraid at the same time as they headed for Jerusalem. Everyone expected Jesus to inaugurate a new kingdom with miraculous, utopian influence, but he kept telling them he would be killed. Even with such confusion surrounding Jesus and the times, we will see an old prophecy come true and see again Jesus’ impressive authority. He will also share some of the most dramatic and inspirational Bible studies of his whole ministry. Let’s see how Jesus faces skeptics, standing on the word of God, hoping people might recognize God’s work going on, even when their idea of God’s kingdom seems out of sync with reality.
Let’s read verses 1&2. “As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.” Jesus’ instruction seems so random, a very unusual and even criminal sounding idea. Go into the next village and steal the first young donkey they find. What was Jesus thinking? This is not a typical parable that makes the disciples think hard. It’s a direct order, based on his prophetic insight, with specific details about the young animal. Two disciples were suddenly tasked with the first operation toward revealing Jesus to the nation as their long awaited king. Shouldn’t he at least give them some money to rent or even buy a more majestic horse to ride or look for a sturdy chariot to use? Why did Jesus want them to bring a donkey no one has ever ridden on?
I spent a short time reading about riding a donkey. They are not like horses that learn to accept a rider with a typically harsh introduction, but learn fast to carry people and do other tasks. The articles all say donkeys typically need conditioning for several months as they learn to carry a load. They should be around 5 years old to start such training. And they remain much more cautious than horses, especially wary of strangers and their surroundings. If they feel threatened or uneasy, they won’t move. One article said horses have many speeds, but donkeys only have two speeds, slow forward and slow backward. This really seems like the most unusual request, especially because so much could go wrong if the police come after them or the young donkey gets afraid or rebellious. How will they know the donkey is even capable of carrying a full grown man? Jesus knew the perfect circumstances were prepared in advance, if only his disciples would implement his instructions. He even seemed to read two disciples’ minds, and told them the answer before they asked a logical question.
Let’s read verse 3 together. “3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” Here Jesus adds the important key phrase to this practical Bible study. “The Lord needs it.” It is the hint that Jesus is working under supreme authority and ready to claim the place and rights God prepared for him. Just not in the way the disciples would like. We have the benefit of hindsight, but according to the other gospel his disciples were unaware of the secret lesson, even as they carried out the instructions. They may only be thinking Jesus must have arranged a plan with the donkey’s owner or master, since that is the plain and simple meaning of the Lord in the context. But it was not the human owner who needed the donkey. It was God the owner of all things who needed this donkey at this moment. God shared a prophetic vision about this event a long time ago, through Zechariah 9:9 in the Bible. “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.” To the benefit seeking followers, this looked like the beginning of a new era for Israel. To the snobby but lost Bible scholars, Jesus was staking an unmistakable claim of messianic authority over the work of God and all Israel. To the disciples it seems like a series of impossible coincidences. Yet Jesus recognized God’s plan for him unfolding with perfect precision.
It is so hard to understand that God is working in our life, from day to day, moment by moment to accomplish his will. We see some things as coincidences and occasionally might think of something as a minor miracle. Other times we just resign to fate if things seem out of control, especially when the hurricane or tornado or other tragic events unfold. Jesus was facing the juxtaposition of the very highest and lowest points of his life. He will be effectively declared the King of Israel, yet knows he must offer his life a few days later. He can only focus on trusting God, our heavenly father, to work out everything for his glory. He was tempted to soak up the praise and try to invent his own ministry, taking advantage of some glorious privilege; but he determined to deny himself, and carry on toward his execution. What Paul wrote in Philippians might be the best insight into Jesus’ thought world at this moment. He said that Jesus
“… did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, … he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross!
Another Bible verse in Hebrews reveals that Jesus could see much further into the future than just bringing the donkey, or even being murdered. It says, “for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” His joy was described in the next part of the letter to Philippians: 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” These insights into Jesus’ motive and understanding of the situation show that he is focused on pleasing God, accomplishing God’s plan and looking forward to joy unspeakable, full of glory that far exceeds any earthly accolades that a kingdom in the land of Israel might afford.
Then how about the disciples? They were really confused and yet were moved by faith to obey Jesus’ instructions. The passage says, “4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.” One important thing to know is their obedience was critical to Zechariah’s prophecy successfully coming true. It is the same for God’s world mission plan in every time and place. The people nearby met the donkey’s owner earlier and agreed to keep an eye on the donkey. When asked about their actions, Jesus’ disciples did not say, the owner sent us to bring the donkey. They said, “The Lord needs it.” Here is the most amazing observation. The disciples studied the Bible with Jesus, then the disciples studied with the guards, and one word from Jesus’ Bible study gave those watching the donkey complete faith and trust in two random visitors. It was a powerful example of Jesus’ words of eternal life at work. No one complained, no one called the authorities or sought the colt’s owner. The disciples’ anxious trepidation turned to excited amazement as they recognized Jesus’ prophetic insight with their own eyes. They did not understand at the moment, but it shows how obeying Jesus’ words let them exercise the authority that God holds over the universe to accomplish his will. Small obedience to Jesus is supremely powerful in God’s hands, so we should do our best to implement Jesus’ instructions whenever we can, no matter how insignificant or unusual they sound. We can even imagine those watching the donkey recognized the disciples’ Galilean accent and thought, they must be helping that Jesus of Nazareth we’ve been hearing so much about. The guardians might even sneak around some distance behind the disciples to get a glimpse at the Lord coming to town.
Look at verse 7&8. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. In a matter of minutes it seems like a large number of people gathered to welcome Jesus, riding into town with acts of allegiance and exaltation. There was an interesting example from the Bible study guide showing how former Israelites proclaimed allegiance to Jehu, when they considered him king. They also spread their cloaks before their king candidate, kind of creating a makeshift “red carpet” treatment, while shouting Jehu is King. The people on the way to Jerusalem seem to have the same idea for Jesus. They might say, “We are with you king Jesus. Bring us independence, superior firepower, freedom from external empires. Unite our tribes again from around the world and establish God’s people in God’s kingdom with your miraculous healing powers and free bread making miracles. We need you as the King, Jesus!”
Verses 9 and 10 share how the people leading this procession got the message out. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Their shouting in verse 9, seems almost like sound bites from one of the Psalms 118:24&26. 25 O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. Bible scholars say the phrase “save us” in 118:25, is the original version of disciples “Hosanna” and the first part of 118:26 seems like a singable praise and jubilation. Their meanings have been debated for centuries, but in a very simple sense, the crowd seems very excited to welcome the ruler they heard about for many generations. We could surely relate to their songs if someone with such a reputation appeared as a front runner in an election. What would you shout to be saved from? Save us, from political overlords, competing divisions and ungodly influences. Save us from economic instability and increasing rental costs. Save us from cancer, data centers and the A.I. apocalypse. Save us from the stormy weather, droughts and climate change. Save us from student loan payments. There are all kinds of things they might be dreaming that a fellow who comes in the name of the Lord could save them from. And too many things they want him to provide, especially after hearing of Jesus’ healing power, storm control and feeding thousands of people in a desert. In the simplest sense, everyone wished the new king would turn the country into a peaceful utopia where everyone is happy and blessed with all their earthly desires fulfilled.
When the revelers’ dreams and hopes were only in this world, it must be heartbreaking for Jesus to hear their enthusiasm, even though he must appreciate their witness to the nation. He knows there are just a few days left on earth, with no time, no plan or even opportunity to make all the worldly dreams come true. But he will make the prophetic promise come true. Zechariah said he would come humbly, on the donkey, righteous and having salvation. This will not fail. Jesus will provide salvation for the daughters of the heavenly Jerusalem, and God’s children all over the world by offering his life as the lamb of God to take away the sin of the world.
This scene with Jesus entering Jerusalem is called the “Triumphal Entry.” God had promised to send the Savior of the world. It seems pitiful that our Lord Jesus, even though he was the Son of God, had to enter Jerusalem on a borrowed colt of a donkey and then die on the cross in obedience to God’s will. But it is the beginning of his triumph! Up until now, the world–both man and nature–were under Satan’s rule. Satan was like a slave driver, and man was like a slave under the constant whipping of a taskmaster. But Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem announced God’s triumph over Satan, sin and death. Jesus provides the way to defeat them all through his death on the cross. It is Jesus’ supreme triumph underway so he could not keep it secret. In the other gospel some skeptics asked him to tell the people to keep quiet, but Jesus could not stop them. He said, even if they keep quiet, the stones would cry out the same message. “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Even the rocks of nature could recognize their savior king, on the donkey’s colt, but the stony hearted rulers of the day were unable to sing for joy at the work of God going on.
Verse 11 says, as soon as Jesus entered the city, he went into the temple but did not stay long at all. It’s hard to understand the daily routine and why Jesus left abruptly. Those people shouting in the street were expecting some deliberations or other meetings between Jesus and the Jerusalem elders to map out responsibilities in the new kingdom, so the crowd seemed to evaporate. Even the current administration made no effort to interact with Jesus. Mark said it was already late, so business as usual in the temple was winding down.
Nevertheless it was fitting for Jesus to appear in his fathers house, after the official reveal according to prophetic vision. Too bad even the priest and others did not greet him and grab the opportunity to study the Bible with Jesus. They hid their faces from Jesus, considering him a troublemaker. He was despised and rejected by men, while God must be watching all things with great appreciation. With the commotion settled, Jesus went out of town again for the night.
The next scene is historically rather odd. Verse 12&13 say, “The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.” What is different today? There is no crowd. No one even prepared breakfast for the one who came in the name of the Lord. Jesus was disappointed by a tree with no fruit when he hoped to have a snack on the way to town. Jesus’ experience went from the highest up to the lowest down in less than 24 hours. The most unexpected thing happens in verse 14. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.” This Bible study with a fig tree is one of the strangest events in the gospel because it seems unreasonable to expect fruit on the tree. Mark wrote it was not the season for figs. I found on the internet that figs have two seasons in that region, one at the start of summer and the other near the middle of autumn. The Passover time of year is usually closer to our April, in the spring. Why would Jesus curse the tree for having no fruit when it is completely normal?
Some messages wonder if Jesus was using the fruitless tree as a physical metaphor to illustrate the current situation in Israel, with a lot of activity among zealous religious sects, the operating temple worship and some prosperity, but no respect for the Son of God according to God’s purpose for Christ. In that illustration, the curse indicates there will never again be any chance for Jewish thought worlds and religious sects or even temple worship to produce a righteous soul that is acceptable to God. Since Jesus was declared the messianic ruler the day before, this curse could be like the executive order that changed the way of salvation from temple worship to faith in Christ, if the scene really is a metaphor along that line of thought. Of course, that might be over-thinking things, and Jesus shares another explanation in next week’s message, so we can compare them both with a little more context after studying the next passage.
The next part of today’s passage has another very dramatic Bible study with not-so-subtle implications, but does reveal a similar principle similar to the fruitless fig tree metaphor. Let’s read verse 15&16. “On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.” This was a seriously disruptive move on Jesus’ part, as he disturbed the status quo in the very center of the Jewish culture and worship place. Like the disciples by the fig tree, however, many people would be surprised because the system was working well. It looked like a naturally occurring system of convenience, having the opportunity for changing money and providing things visitors might need for offerings right nearby the temple. Especially at the busiest time of year in Jerusalem, people arrive from all over the empire so the economy got a big boost and the dove breeders and priests could organize a good system of guaranteed acceptable sacrificial offerings for sale at a premium price. It’s kind of like the inflated price of things inside the airport security check zone. Why should Jesus be so upset about the system if it solves several problems for the visitors while bringing economic benefit to the temple and local manufacturers?
Let’s read verse 17. “And as he taught them, he said, “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.'”” Remember the prophecy of the king coming on the donkey? In the first part the people welcomed the humble king who will bring salvation. Now they have a glimpse of his righteousness. Jesus expressed a righteous indignation toward the way they evolved the temple worship place into a kind of drive-through enterprise. No one was able to pray and fellowship with God thanks to the convenient, cultural evolution of buying and selling worship. Jesus was furious when his chosen people, especially their leaders, who should be Bible teachers for all nations, made the holy Jerusalem the fortress of Satan, and the temple of God a marketplace. Jesus shared the Bible study based on one word found in Isaiah 56:7. In his time Isaiah also rebuked the leaders for lazy-faire, insincere fellowship with God. God wanted all nations to come and worship in the holy temple, but leadership of his time could only find ways to satisfy their lustful desires for drinking, feasting and getting rich. Jesus rebuked the establishment of his time in other conversations for similar discrepancies. But this Bible study makes it clear, their merchandising and current way of worship in the temple were out of line with God’s purpose under the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
It was time for God’s people to pray for all nations to return to God, thanks to the way of salvation by faith in Christ. Now that physical temple in Jerusalem is destroyed. Maybe Jesus’ fig tree curse proves that building in geographical Jerusalem will never be needed again. In fact, Paul wrote in Ephesians that God is building another house out of living stones that stack up on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Every believer is part of this iteration of God’s house. We have to be careful of letting our house of prayer turn into a social club or cultural interface for benefit seekers. Dr. Lee said, “When we carefully meditate on this verse we learn that Jesus wants his people to pray for all nations, not to mention his own nation. Jesus said this because God’s will for world salvation was on his mind. When we don’t pray for all nations, God’s will for world salvation might be impossible.” There can be a never-ending line of people looking for free bubble tea or big gulps to refresh their bodies, but we must not give up praying for lost sinners from all nations to come back to God through free Bible study that can save their soul.
In the last part of today’s passage, the chief priests and teachers of the law reacted with their own, evil indignation to Jesus’ Bible study. They began looking for a way to kill him because they were afraid he would sway the crowd to actually start a political revolution appointing himself dictator for life over all the Jews. Jesus stayed all day in the temple this time but retired again outside the city, likely for the sake of avoiding any zealous assassins.
This passage reveals Jesus to the world as the one who comes in the name of the Lord. He came with righteousness, to bring salvation for all nations. But he came according to God’s plan, humbly riding on a donkey’s colt, to teach the Bible, not stir up a political revolt. The lost leaders of his time however, cemented their ears to the word of God and determined to have Jesus killed. Let’s pray that our house of prayer may exalt Jesus daily as the savior king and that God may use our Bible study to bless all nations for his glory.