God Hears Us
By Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist
Read: Mark 11:1-26
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:24)
Christ’s Triumph Entry (Mark 11:1-11): This description of Christ’s “Triumphal Entry” may have surprised Mark’s Roman readers, who were accustomed to the glory of the “Roman Triumph.” This was the official welcoming parade given to a victorious Roman general whose armies killed at least 5,000 enemy soldiers, gained new territory for Rome, and brought home rich trophies and important prisoners.
The general rode in a golden chariot, surrounded by his officers; and in the parade he displayed his treasures and prisoners. The Roman priests would be there, offering incense to their gods. Paul alludes to the Roman Triumph in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17.
But our Lord’s ride into Jerusalem involved a donkey, some garments and branches thrown on the ground, and the praises of some ordinary Passover pilgrims. It was the only time Jesus permitted a public demonstration on his behalf, and he did it to force the Jewish religious leaders to act during the Passover, when it was ordained he should die (Matthew 26:3-5).
Mark does not quote Zechariah 9:9, but he does quote Psalm 118:25-26 (Mark 11:9-10), a messianic psalm. Hosanna means, “Save now, we pray!” (“God save the king!”) When Jesus rode into the city, he proclaimed his Kingship, but he also signed his own death warrant.
Christ’s Mighty Power (Mark 11:12-14, 20-26): At first sight, this is a puzzling miracle. Passover was not the season for figs, yet the son of God had hoped to find fruit on the tree. When he did not find any, he used his divine power to destroy the tree instead of helping it to become fruitful.
Actually, the whole episode was a sermon in action. The tree represents the nation of Israel (Hosea 9:10, 16; Nahum 3:12), which, at that time, was producing no fruit to the glory of God. Its spiritual roots were dead (Mark 11:20; Matthew 3:10), and it could not produce fruit.
But Christ also used the miracle to teach His disciples some practical lessons about faith and prayer. Mountains represent great difficulties that must be removed (Zechariah 4:7), and it is our faith in God that enables us to overcome.
But faith in God is not enough; we must also have forgiveness toward others (Mark 11:25-26). “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25). We do not earn God’s forgiveness by forgiving others, but forgiving others shows we have a humble heart before our Lord (Mark 11:26).
We are to pray in times of adversity, we are to pray in times of prosperity, we are to pray in times of danger, we are to pray in times of security, sinners are to pray for forgiveness, and Christians are to pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit upon an evil, unrepentant world.
Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines at rcpbibleoutlines.com free on the website. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.