Mark 11 -- Different Meanings Than The Religious Leaders Would Think

As Jesus and the crowds neared Jerusalem, with the Passover about to begin, "The Lord was about to do something He had never done before,something He had repeatedly cautioned others not to do for Him:  He was going to permit His followers to give a public demonstration in His honor...  Jesus needed a donkey to ride into town to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 ... In fulfilling this prophecy, Jesus accomplished two purposes:  1) He declared Himself to be Israel's King and Messiah, and 2) He deliberately challenged the religious leaders."

The crowds from Galilee who'd followed Him to Jerusalem cried out, "Hosanna!".  But the crowd that wanted Him crucified came predominantly from Judea and Jerusalem.  They weren't the same people, my commentary explains.

Jesus had seen a fig tree with leaves, but He knew it wasn't the time for it to bear fruit.  He cured the tree rather than blessing it.  "He did it because He wanted to teach two important lessons.  First, there is a lesson on failure.  Israel had failed to be fruitful to God ... Jesus also used this miracle to tech us a lesson on faith ... Jesus said, ' Have faith in God,' meaning, 'Constantly be trusting God, live in an attitude of dependence on Him.'"

"We should not interpret it to mean, "If you pray hard enough and really believe, God is obligated to answer your prayers, no matter what you ask."  That kind of faith is not faith in God; rather, it is nothing but faith in faith or faith in feelings ... The purpose of prayer is not to get man's will done in heaven, but to get God's will done on earth."

Father, please help me to constantly remember to keep my link with You through prayer open.  It is my communion with You.  And help me not to see prayer just as emergency communications.  It is the way I speak with You daily.  I want to be a part of getting Your will done on earth.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford