Mark 11:12-25 ~ He was hungry

Mark 11:12-25

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they went out of the city.

20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received [are receiving] it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Fig trees represent Spiritual fruit:

Galatians 5:22-23
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

These paragraphs are a living parable on The Temple being spiritually empty. The Essenes who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls correctly believed the world would end soon for them (they were killed in the 70 A.D. Roman invasion of Titus). The Essenes left Jerusalem and moved to Qumran, a plateau in the Judean Desert along the Dead Sea. Why did they think the Temple was spiritually void? Primarily because Herod placed all of the Priests in the Temple and Herod, living in adultery with his brother's wife, was a Roman educated, client-state king. The Essenes were correct about Herod, although it would be impossible to eradicate the Holy Spirit where God is praised and people look to Him in faith, hope and love.

Theology students study Ecclesiology - the theological study of the Christian Church. These three paragraphs are probably the cornerstone of Jesus' commentary.

Remember in Luke's Gospel, the Angel Gabriel chose to speak to Zechariah in the Temple. The infant Jesus' time came for purification presentation and sacrifice, Simeon was in the Temple to see with expectation the Consolation of Israel. The prophetess Anna never left the Temple.

Jesus went to the Temple, Himself, to teach, but primarily Jesus came to Display to the Temple - - they were not Feeding the people with their adherence to rigorous rules. Building a bureaucracy of another marketplace driven by position power, political power and rules to keep it all in line. Jesus was concerned: not only with someone like Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council, Scribes seeking the Kingdom of Heaven, elderly widows with their two copper pennies, rich young men with too many possessions, the lame, beggars, the blind, wealthy tax collectors, sinners, even a Roman centurion, and a woman who just decided to be well by touching Him - just not rules to build religious pride and control. Jesus the Christ!!

As Christians we are called to be Shepherds for each other - not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
1 Peter 5:2-4.

Peter knew his Shepherd. After Peter betrayed the Lord during His trial, many would have slunk away permanently. Or gathered with the other disciples to further condemn Jesus for having placed them in danger.

Peter knew something important about his Shepherd. Peter knew he was loved. When there was a possibility Jesus had risen, Peter ran to him. When Jesus began to appear to the disciples, after His resurrection, Peter was willing to jump out the boat for Jesus again. This time, he swam. Peter wasn't convinced of his own goodness, but he was sure of his Savior.

As lay people, it's our Church theological cornerstone policy to realize Peter knew he was a flawed human and still wanted, turned towards, embraced, jumped in the water, hurried to Jesus Christ. Believing Jesus Christ is the reason, we want to be fed at His Meal.

John 21:15-19
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love (Greek word - agape - complete love) me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (philo -brothery love) you.”

He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agape) me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (philo) you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agape) me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love (agape) you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Jesus called Peter twice. Not because Peter was so worthy, but because of the Steadfast Love and Mercy of God our Father.

Thank You, Father God, for Your many deeds of compassion and mercy. Lord, You provide for us physically and spiritually. Thank You for Your willingness to bless us and answer prayer. We look to you expectantly and with gladness, just as your servants Paul and Peter did. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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