Authority Challenged

 

    In Mark, Jesus warned his apostles three times that when he went to Jerusalem that he would die.  Each time, he gave them a little more detail.  I think it is because our human brain can only accept so much information or emotional data at a time.  The apostles loved Jesus and the thought of losing him in a horrific way was not something easily accepted.  It also came with them accepting that he was still in authority of what was happening to him and that is practically impossible.

    Before Jesus and his apostles entered Jerusalem, Jesus sent in two apostles to get him a donkey colt.  They were to tell the owner it was for the Lord.  This had to happen to fulfill another prophecy in Zechariah: Jesus entering the city on a donkey that had never been ridden.  The colt recognized Jesus' authority even if the people did not.

    There was a large crowd that shouted their praises and showed respect.  They gave him a royal entrance.  Some thought he was just a prophet, but they had not had one in over 400 years, so it was still a big deal.  Some didn't know what to think, but jumped on the band wagon for the excitement.  Then some thought their deliverer from oppression has finally arrived.  He had, but not as a warrior.  He came as a sacrificial lamb for their eternal deliverance. 

    Jesus went straight to God's temple.  He was angry with what he saw.  People were conducting business on holy ground, a place that was supposed to be separate for worship and education on God.  He drove them out declaring it the house of prayer, not profit.  This was an unaware way of the people challenging Jesus' authority.  They should have known better, but the world was so corrupt we don't know if they did or not.  Either way this fulfilled another prophecy from Zechariah.

    Next, Jesus went to work healing people until it was time to retire.  He went to Bethany for the night.  In the morning he was hungry.  It never did say that he had eaten the day before, so he definitely needed to take some time to restore his body.  He went to a fig tree, on his walk back to the city, that only had leaves.  It didn't have any figs which represented the nation's moral barrenness.  He cursed the tree so that it would never bear fruit which represented God's judgment.  The lesson is easily missed when you only see the power of Jesus' authority.

    It was a teaching moment about doubt and faith.  If we do not display our faith for the world to see, then we are no better than that cursed tree that withered and died.  Doubt kills our fruit.  Faith with pray can produce anything.

    Jesus returned to God's temple where his authority was openly challenged by the elders.  Jesus responded with a simple question, but they turned it into an ordeal.  He responded with giving them the parable of the two sons which teaches on how to respond to authority.  He followed that up with the parable of the vineyard owner.

    God is the father.  The outcast of society were the ones that would eventually submit to His authority.  The chief people of society are the stubborn hearted.  When asked to do something, it is better to say no, then go ahead and do as you were asked, than to say yes and not do it.  Stick to your word to stay on the righteous path.  

    It is a path of faith.  There is no room for doubt because it will make you stumble and fall.  Doubt is too heavy of a burden to be able to obey God fully.  Keep your focus on Heaven and discard any doubt.  Jesus was rejected, but vindicated by God.  We have to believe that or we will be rejected.

Matthew 21