Sermon Notes - Beauty, Tragedy and Reality

Beauty, Tragedy and Reality, Mark 11:1-25
J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended January 3, 2010

Six out of sixteen chapters in Mark are about one area of Jesus’ life. This shows us the centrality of the understanding of Jesus in His death. We cannot live the life without embracing His death.

The Beauty – Mark 11:1-11

It isn’t significant how the colt was there or that He is omniscient but that He knows the way He wants to enter Jerusalem. It is very purposeful.

Hosanna means save us. They think He is the messiah.

1. This is beautiful because this is the entrance of the long awaited and promised Messiah – This is the reception of a king. Mark 1:15

2. This is beautiful because Jesus is no longer hiding His identity – He has been telling His disciples not to tell anybody because He knew the time had not come.

3. This is beautiful because of the response of the people – Hosanna means save us and save us now. They think He is the messiah. They don’t fully understand but is still an incredible time of honor.

4. This is beautiful because all of this unfolded exactly as prophesied – Zechariah 9:9, Psalm 118 and others. What a reminder that God keeps His promises! He has not failed to do everything He promised to do. Without these stories recorded for us, we would not be able to see the fulfillment of God’s promises.

A transition from beauty to tragedy in Mark 11:11. The temple is His house. See Isaiah 56:7. He comes into His house and just looks around. No indication that anyone knows He is even there.

The Tragedy – Mark 11:12

We then read a strange story that seems a little out of place right after this triumphal entry. He talks to and curses the fig tree and then there is no comment about it. Mark uses the next section to illustrate the point of the fig tree.

Jesus goes back to the temple and blocks anyone from getting in. Mark 11:16. This was planned.

1. This is a tragedy because the people were misusing the temple – Mark 11:17. It was supposed to be a house of prayer but it has become, in reality, a robbers den. It had become a hideout where the religious leaders would come after they had stolen. They were protected from those they had robbed of life because of the rules.

The outer courts purpose was to be a place for the Gentiles to worship. In reality they couldn’t come because there was too much selling. It was to be a place of worship but in reality it had become a place where the leaders exercise their power.

2. This is a tragedy because the people misunderstood the temple – we think He was trying to restore the temple, in reality He came to replace the temple. Everyone was so busy they totally missed Him.

They then walk back by the fig tree and Jesus points to the reality. This is a parable. The Israelites are not bearing fruit, as demonstrated in the temple, and were to be cursed. They should have been bearing fruit of prayer and worship. They should have been prepared for the Savior but they weren’t so they will be cursed.

The Reality – Mark 11:22

What separates beauty from tragedy? Mark 11:22. Have faith in God. It separates the fruitful from the fruitless. This is not a formula on how to move mountains. The point is simply the power of simple faith in God. Everything flows from faith. Take God at His word and trust in His promises. Those who believe in His promises act on His commands.

The beauty was He said He was coming and He did. The tragedy was they missed it.

The beauty is that He is coming back. The tragedy is that many won’t be ready.

Luke 12:35-40. Be dressed in readiness. Are you ready? Be ready! Be faithful! Live every moment as if the return of the Lord is imminent. He will keep His promises. He will return. Have faith in God!