20: The Triumphal Entry & Cleansing of the Temple (Mark 11:1 – 26)
Jesus entered Jerusalem γ week before the Passover. People who were waiting for Messianic deliverance enthusiastically welcomed Him. However, what He did was not what they had expected.
π Read Mark 11:1 - 26
Q1. Jesus sat on a ( ) and entered Jerusalem. People shouted, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of ( )! Blessed is the coming ( ) of our father David! Hosanna in the ( )!’
Colt, the Lord, kingdom, highest
Riding a colt meant Jesus was the King prophesized in Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you: He is legitimate and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey.”
They praised three objects: the Messiah, the coming of His kingdom, and God.
Q2. Cursing of the fig tree and cleansing the temple show Jesus’ judgment on their hypocritical religious life. They are like the leafy fig tree without fruit. They had superficial religious rituals but no faith in them. “My house will be called a house of ( ) for all ( ). But you have turned it into a ( ).”
Prayers, nations, den of robbers
Note the temple cleansing passage is enclosed by a fig tree story. Mark wrote that it was not fig season. The fig tree was used to illustrate what the Lord will do to their religious system that is without fruit.
All four gospels recorded this event. However, only Mark has ‘for all nations.’
The religious leaders were making money using the sacrificial system and priestal authorities. Thus, the poor people were not welcomed to the sacrifice and worship.
Because of this act, they sought how to assassinate Jesus.
Faith, Pray, forgive
Jesus tore down the corrupted religious system and clarified the way of faith in approaching God.
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