Mark 11:1-25

Scripture Mark 11:1-26 Palm Sunday

blueletterbible.org

Note that the NLT & the NIV do not have Mark 11:26, but it is written in the footnotes, watch the footnotes in your Bibles, there is often some enlightening information there!

Observation

When I opened my Bible and saw that this was the passage where Jesus clears the temple, I immediately thought I would be writing about how anger can be appropriate in the right circumstances. But then I got to verses 13-14 and thought what is that all about? I was being led in a different direction. I read it a couple times, in a couple translations but was still stumped. I had to go to a commentary and was reminded that I have to look deeper and remember the background of what is going on at the time.

Fig trees produce fruit twice a year, in late spring and early fall and the fruit would be ripe and ready to eat when the leaves are full. This event took place in early spring when the leaves on a tree should be just budding, so there should be no ripe fruit on the tree. So when Jesus saw a tree in "full leaf (NLT)" he expected it to have ripe fruit. But it did not, it was similar to false advertising. The tree appeared to be fruitful, but on closer inspection was not.


Application

The key verse to understanding this comes in verse 23 All that's required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart. It is all about faith, truly believing and never doubting what God is saying and doing in my life. The result will be a fruitful life.


Prayer

Thank you Lord for guiding me and helping me to trust in my faith. As my faith deepens I am humbled by your love for me, lead me and guide me in knowledge and understanding so that I may be a blessing and witness to others