WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.580 I met a traveler from an antique land who said, 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.900 Two vast and trunkless legs of stone stand in the desert. 00:00:11.660 --> 00:00:15.620 Near them, on the sand, half sunk, a shattered visage lies, 00:00:16.260 --> 00:00:19.960 Whose frown and wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command 00:00:19.960 --> 00:00:24.080 Tell that its sculptor well those passions read, which yet survive, 00:00:24.640 --> 00:00:26.179 Stamped on these lifeless things. 00:00:26.600 --> 00:00:28.660 The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed. 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:31.660 And on the pedestal, these words appear. 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:37.000 My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings. 00:00:38.159 --> 00:00:41.039 Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair. 00:00:42.780 --> 00:00:44.399 Nothing beside remains. 00:00:45.539 --> 00:00:49.359 Round the decay of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, 00:00:49.859 --> 00:00:52.760 The lone and level sands stretch far away. 00:00:54.760 --> 00:00:56.179 I wrote that myself. 00:00:58.659 --> 00:00:59.479 No, I didn't. 00:00:59.859 --> 00:01:01.659 That's Percy Shelley's poem, Ozymandias. 00:01:02.459 --> 00:01:03.559 Some of you will know it. 00:01:04.299 --> 00:01:08.359 It tells the story of a titanic, colossal, ruined statue. 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:11.459 Now, just two legs sticking up in the desert. 00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:14.640 A statue of some long-forgotten king. 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:17.359 My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings. 00:01:17.819 --> 00:01:20.659 Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair. 00:01:20.659 --> 00:01:26.459 But today, nobody even remembers the name of this once great emperor. 00:01:27.819 --> 00:01:34.259 There are no works to see and despair over, just sand stretching away as far as the eye can see. 00:01:35.560 --> 00:01:43.420 Now, the poet who wrote this was inspired by the discovery of a great statue of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh named Ramses II. 00:01:43.420 --> 00:01:45.960 But it could have been any king. 00:01:47.219 --> 00:01:51.799 I mean, just think how many great empires have risen and fallen in human history. 00:01:52.299 --> 00:01:56.599 How many great statues are there that have sunk into the sand and been forgotten? 00:01:57.780 --> 00:01:59.060 More than we can count. 00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:01.420 Power and glory. 00:02:02.520 --> 00:02:03.320 Human achievement. 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:05.879 Renown and fame. 00:02:05.879 --> 00:02:08.719 These things slip away in time. 00:02:09.799 --> 00:02:11.579 So what does any of it actually mean? 00:02:13.579 --> 00:02:16.879 I wonder which accomplishments you're most proud of. 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:19.379 Think about yourself for just a moment. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:23.840 Maybe it's an academic or a professional achievement. 00:02:24.639 --> 00:02:26.500 Maybe it's a moral accomplishment. 00:02:27.340 --> 00:02:28.680 Something relational. 00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:31.519 Something you've built with your hands. 00:02:32.039 --> 00:02:33.280 An award you've received. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:37.759 How do you think God views that accomplishment? 00:02:39.360 --> 00:02:40.400 You're a true king. 00:02:41.340 --> 00:02:43.840 Do you think he's as impressed with it as you are? 00:02:46.120 --> 00:02:50.139 Well, this evening we're going to talk about what our king, our true king wants from us. 00:02:50.439 --> 00:02:54.280 And this king, King Jesus, doesn't call us to look on his works in despair. 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:56.180 He calls us to hope. 00:02:56.920 --> 00:02:57.620 And to faith. 00:02:58.479 --> 00:03:00.539 But he does demand things from us. 00:03:00.539 --> 00:03:04.060 If you have a Bible, turn with me to Mark chapter 11. 00:03:04.459 --> 00:03:05.419 Mark chapter 11. 00:03:05.479 --> 00:03:08.899 In the evening service here at Trinity, we've been preaching through the gospel of Mark. 00:03:08.959 --> 00:03:10.139 And we've come to Mark 11. 00:03:10.379 --> 00:03:12.659 This wonderful story called the triumphal entry. 00:03:13.079 --> 00:03:17.399 If you're using one of the Bibles provided with you on the pew, I believe it's on page 847. 00:03:18.019 --> 00:03:18.659 Mark 11. 00:03:19.079 --> 00:03:21.639 And we'll be looking at verses 1 through 25. 00:03:22.060 --> 00:03:24.479 The large numbers in your Bible are the chapter numbers. 00:03:24.819 --> 00:03:26.239 The small numbers are the verse numbers. 00:03:26.739 --> 00:03:29.139 Mark chapter 11, verses 1 through 25. 00:03:29.139 --> 00:03:30.679 Listen as I read. 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:40.960 Now when they, that's Jesus and his disciples, drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethpage and to Bethany at the Mount of Olives, 00:03:41.480 --> 00:03:44.920 Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, 00:03:45.200 --> 00:03:49.620 Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied, 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:51.560 on which no one has ever sat. 00:03:52.180 --> 00:03:53.219 Untie it and bring it. 00:03:53.819 --> 00:03:56.080 If anyone says to you, why are you doing this? 00:03:56.080 --> 00:03:59.920 Say, the Lord has need of it, and will send it back here immediately. 00:04:00.740 --> 00:04:05.100 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside the street, and they untied it. 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:09.360 And some of those standing there said to them, what are you doing untying the colt? 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:12.540 And they said to them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:17.439 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:22.699 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 00:04:23.060 --> 00:04:26.800 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, Hosanna! 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:29.779 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 00:04:30.259 --> 00:04:32.579 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:34.399 Hosanna in the highest! 00:04:35.600 --> 00:04:37.879 And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. 00:04:38.279 --> 00:04:40.800 And when he had looked around at everything, it was already late. 00:04:41.300 --> 00:04:42.839 He went out to Bethany with the twelve. 00:04:42.839 --> 00:04:47.079 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 00:04:47.659 --> 00:04:52.500 And seeing in the distance a fig tree and leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. 00:04:53.219 --> 00:04:57.279 When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 00:04:57.379 --> 00:05:00.459 And he said to it, may no one ever eat fruit from you again. 00:05:01.279 --> 00:05:02.479 And his disciples heard it. 00:05:03.819 --> 00:05:05.099 And they came to Jerusalem. 00:05:05.399 --> 00:05:09.479 And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple. 00:05:09.480 --> 00:05:13.240 And he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 00:05:13.580 --> 00:05:16.379 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 00:05:16.920 --> 00:05:18.860 And he was teaching them and saying to them, 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:23.200 Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:26.600 But you have made it a den of robbers. 00:05:27.420 --> 00:05:29.379 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it. 00:05:29.420 --> 00:05:32.259 And they were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him. 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:35.160 Because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 00:05:35.800 --> 00:05:38.100 And when evening came, they went out of the city. 00:05:38.100 --> 00:05:43.160 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 00:05:43.740 --> 00:05:48.600 And Peter remembered and said to them, Rabbi, look, the fig tree that you cursed has withered. 00:05:49.340 --> 00:05:52.660 And Jesus answered them, Have faith in God. 00:05:53.420 --> 00:05:55.860 Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 00:05:56.340 --> 00:05:59.040 Be taken up and thrown into the sea and does not doubt in his heart, 00:05:59.260 --> 00:06:02.740 But believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 00:06:02.740 --> 00:06:08.759 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:12.980 And whenever you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone, 00:06:13.280 --> 00:06:17.720 So that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 00:06:17.720 --> 00:06:25.500 Well, we're going to look at the coming of the King, Jesus Christ, 00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:27.880 And what is traditionally called the triumphal entry. 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:31.100 And then after that, we're going to look at what Jesus wants from us. 00:06:31.480 --> 00:06:34.000 We'll see his warning on one hand against fruitlessness, 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:36.680 And his call to authentic faith on the other hand. 00:06:36.760 --> 00:06:38.520 So first, the coming of the King. 00:06:38.940 --> 00:06:41.180 Second, Jesus' warning against fruitfulness. 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:45.100 And third, Jesus' call to authentic faith. 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:47.540 Let's begin with the triumphal entry. 00:06:48.460 --> 00:06:49.280 The coming of the King. 00:06:50.320 --> 00:06:54.360 Jesus and his disciples are making their way to Jerusalem for a religious festival. 00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:55.620 And they're not the only ones. 00:06:55.780 --> 00:06:59.120 There's a busy road, a lot of pilgrims making the same trip. 00:06:59.780 --> 00:07:02.520 But they seem to recognize that Jesus is somehow different. 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:03.760 Look at verse 8. 00:07:04.640 --> 00:07:06.560 And many spread their cloaks on the road, 00:07:06.640 --> 00:07:09.600 And others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 00:07:10.380 --> 00:07:13.760 The people spread their cloaks on the road for Jesus to ride on. 00:07:14.200 --> 00:07:16.820 That's sort of their way of laying out the red carpet. 00:07:16.819 --> 00:07:21.779 Laying down your cloak for someone to walk on was a way of showing submission and honor. 00:07:21.779 --> 00:07:25.579 The people also spread out leafy palm branches. 00:07:26.219 --> 00:07:29.239 Palms that signified victory over Israel's enemies. 00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:30.639 And they shouted, Hosanna! 00:07:31.339 --> 00:07:33.599 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:07:34.519 --> 00:07:35.899 Hosanna means save us. 00:07:36.279 --> 00:07:37.500 Or even just hallelujah. 00:07:39.039 --> 00:07:40.039 The message is clear. 00:07:40.599 --> 00:07:42.059 Here comes the King, like David. 00:07:42.519 --> 00:07:44.019 The one who will save us. 00:07:44.019 --> 00:07:46.159 Recognize and honor him. 00:07:46.919 --> 00:07:47.579 Welcome him. 00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:50.519 What are they thinking? 00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:53.000 What is it that they think Jesus is going to do? 00:07:54.699 --> 00:07:56.180 Well, we can speculate. 00:07:56.859 --> 00:07:59.939 Perhaps they're thinking that at long last they have their deliverer. 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:01.740 The political deliverer. 00:08:01.779 --> 00:08:04.379 The King who's going to free them from their oppressors. 00:08:04.859 --> 00:08:06.639 Our warrior King is here at last. 00:08:06.859 --> 00:08:07.519 Like David. 00:08:07.959 --> 00:08:08.359 Hosanna. 00:08:08.359 --> 00:08:08.459 Hosanna. 00:08:08.459 --> 00:08:13.719 Of course, there's something a little bit strange about this scene. 00:08:14.799 --> 00:08:17.399 Now, we don't see a lot of royal processions anymore. 00:08:17.539 --> 00:08:19.979 Maybe when there's a royal wedding we watch on TV. 00:08:20.719 --> 00:08:24.120 I think probably the closest we experience is a presidential motorcade. 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:26.859 Years ago, I used to live in Washington, D.C. 00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:30.719 And a presidential motorcade was about the most inconvenient thing imaginable. 00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:35.039 The Secret Service would shut down major streets always during rush hour. 00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:44.579 And you couldn't go anywhere until the president had come by in his armored limousine with flags flying and a police escort with sirens blaring. 00:08:46.579 --> 00:08:49.819 Well, that's not really how Jesus comes into Jerusalem, is it? 00:08:50.839 --> 00:08:56.099 There are some pom-poms being waved around and some cloaks thrown on the road, but not an armed escort. 00:08:57.620 --> 00:09:03.779 Notice he doesn't even ride in on a dashing white horse or a caravan of camels. 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:05.439 He comes on a donkey. 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:09.299 That's really the strangest thing about this story, if you think about it. 00:09:09.439 --> 00:09:18.059 Not only that Jesus rides in on a lowly donkey, but that Mark thinks we need to know all the details about how the donkey was procured. 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:21.879 And what the bystanders said when they saw it being untied. 00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:23.779 And how old this donkey was. 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:27.620 Go and untie the colt and say these words and then bring it to me. 00:09:27.959 --> 00:09:29.639 Why so much about the donkey? 00:09:29.639 --> 00:09:37.120 Well, if we read a little more carefully, we'll see that Jesus is actually making a statement. 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:41.879 And a statement that's every bit as clear as a presidential motorcade. 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:50.600 The Old Testament book of Zechariah had prophesied that one day the righteous king would come to Jerusalem on the back of a colt. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:52.980 Zechariah 9.9 says, 00:09:52.980 --> 00:10:11.480 Well, Jesus knew the Bible. 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:18.360 And so he mounts a colt and he says as he does it, I am the righteous king bringing salvation. 00:10:18.659 --> 00:10:19.240 Here I am. 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:21.940 The very one you've been waiting for. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:24.379 But maybe not the one you've expected. 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:28.659 Because like Zechariah says, Jesus comes humble. 00:10:30.420 --> 00:10:31.539 He comes humbly. 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:35.440 Now kings are a lot of things. 00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:37.800 But they're typically not humble. 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:40.800 They wear crowns. 00:10:41.520 --> 00:10:43.720 They force people to bow before them. 00:10:44.380 --> 00:10:45.620 They collect titles. 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:48.960 They refer to themselves in the first person plural. 00:10:49.680 --> 00:10:50.840 We are not amused. 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:54.460 But Jesus is the humble king. 00:10:56.440 --> 00:10:59.020 Now I don't want to minimize Jesus' authority here. 00:10:59.980 --> 00:11:02.240 He says it to us in all kinds of ways. 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:03.900 The very thing that I say to my children. 00:11:04.260 --> 00:11:05.400 You are not the boss. 00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:07.780 Even of our own lives. 00:11:08.180 --> 00:11:10.240 Jesus tells us we're not the boss. 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:12.580 He claims the right to rule. 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:15.040 But he is a humble king. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:18.660 The donkey is really just one little sign of this humility. 00:11:19.080 --> 00:11:20.880 And it's not even the most important sign. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:24.980 His whole existence as a man is evidence of his humanity. 00:11:25.180 --> 00:11:29.940 He was God eternal when he decided to become a lowly human being. 00:11:29.940 --> 00:11:41.600 Paul's letter to the Philippians tells us that Christ, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself. 00:11:41.600 --> 00:11:48.560 By taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men and being found in human form, he humbled himself. 00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:53.159 By becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 00:11:53.159 --> 00:11:55.419 Now that is humility. 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:59.620 Forget the limousine and the secret service detail. 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:04.980 It's trading eternal glory in heaven to hang naked on a cross. 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:10.879 And this is the most astounding and important part of a Christian message. 00:12:11.800 --> 00:12:17.600 That the Son of God himself would come and live a human life, a perfect human life, on our behalf. 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:19.759 And then die in our place on the cross. 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:23.980 So that through faith, we might have our sins forgiven and be adopted into God's family. 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:26.220 That's the message of the gospel. 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:31.800 And that's the greatest example of humility that ever has been known or ever could be known. 00:12:33.820 --> 00:12:36.120 Jesus is the humble king. 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:44.820 I wonder, what part of you resist the idea of God ruling in your life? 00:12:47.180 --> 00:12:50.720 I think you're lying to yourself if you say there's no part of you. 00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:56.220 All of us want to resist God's authority in some way or another. 00:12:57.840 --> 00:13:04.120 When Christ comes to us and he says, I am the king, we say, yes, yes, you're the king, but not of this. 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:07.639 What's the this for you? 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:11.379 Is it how you use your time and money? 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:13.899 Is it your sexual conduct? 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:16.200 Your big life plans? 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:18.320 Relationships? 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:21.680 I mean, really ask yourself that question. 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:26.260 And now think again about Christ's humility. 00:13:27.280 --> 00:13:28.760 His unpretentious love. 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:31.560 His willingness to ride on a young donkey. 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:33.360 To trade heaven for a cross. 00:13:33.540 --> 00:13:35.740 Because he doesn't think he's too good for you. 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:41.780 He doesn't think he's too good to suffer all the things we suffer and more. 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:46.740 Do you think you can let this humble king rule in your life? 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:54.760 Well, that is the man and the king and the God who rides into Jerusalem. 00:13:56.420 --> 00:13:58.320 Now he tells us what he wants from us. 00:13:58.500 --> 00:14:00.000 He says he wants fruitfulness and faith. 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:00.780 Look at verse 12. 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:05.379 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he, Jesus, was hungry. 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:10.699 And seeing in the distance a fig tree and leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:15.600 When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:19.439 And he said to it, may no one ever eat fruit from you again. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:21.079 And his disciples heard it. 00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:24.660 And if we look down in verse 20, we see what happened the next day. 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:25.840 They walked by the same tree. 00:14:26.040 --> 00:14:28.320 And they see that it had withered all the way to the roots. 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:31.960 Now this is Jesus' only destructive miracle. 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:34.139 And it has troubled some people. 00:14:35.160 --> 00:14:37.900 I mean, what did the poor fig tree ever really do? 00:14:39.060 --> 00:14:41.420 I mean, a lot of us get short-tempered when we're hungry. 00:14:41.419 --> 00:14:44.740 But he's supposed to be the sinless son of God. 00:14:44.959 --> 00:14:45.979 It's supposed to be different. 00:14:47.699 --> 00:14:49.740 Well, Jesus is not flying off the handle. 00:14:50.199 --> 00:14:51.459 That's not what's happening here. 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:54.579 We have to pay careful attention to how this story is written down. 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:58.579 Notice that right in between this story of the cursing of the fig tree 00:14:58.579 --> 00:15:03.299 is the account of Jesus clearing the temple in Jerusalem of corruption. 00:15:04.219 --> 00:15:07.740 We see that the cursing of the fig tree is actually a kind of living parable. 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:13.860 It's a story meant to teach us what happens to fruitless people, not fruitless trees. 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:18.360 God wanted his people to bring forth good fruit in their lives. 00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:22.360 Honesty, compassion, worship. 00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:26.440 But instead, they'd been greedy and corrupt. 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:29.180 That's what we see in verse 15. 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:33.159 When Jesus entered the temple, he began to drive out those who sold 00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:34.680 and those who bought in the temple. 00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:36.759 And he overturned the tables of the money changers 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:38.159 and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:41.439 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:43.559 And he was teaching them and saying to them, 00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:44.860 Is it not written, 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:47.960 My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:50.500 But you have made it a den of robbers. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:55.360 Jesus quotes another Old Testament text from Isaiah 56. 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:58.419 For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all people. 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:03.179 The temple was supposed to be a place for the Jewish nation to assemble and worship. 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:07.679 Yes, but also for all the other people in the world who love the Lord. 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:10.319 But that's not how Jesus found it. 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:14.399 It wasn't a place for the nations to come and pray and worship. 00:16:15.459 --> 00:16:18.139 It was a place of exploitation and greed. 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:19.559 A den of robbers. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:24.859 Now the people who ran the temple had organized a very lucrative racket. 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:28.740 In order to go and fulfill your obligations according to the law, 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:32.960 You had to first go and you had to change your ordinary money into special money. 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:37.620 And then you had to use that special money and buy a special animal to sacrifice. 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:41.919 It's a little bit like going to a dishonest used car dealership 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:45.659 where they get you on the financing and the purchase price of the car. 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:47.320 They're cleaning up. 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:50.260 Except it's worse than that. 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:53.260 Because this wasn't supposed to be a place of business at all. 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:55.520 It was supposed to be something better. 00:16:57.020 --> 00:16:59.660 This is what that text in Isaiah 56 says in full. 00:17:00.660 --> 00:17:00.860 It says, 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:03.020 And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, 00:17:03.260 --> 00:17:04.600 to minister to Him, 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.820 to love the name of the Lord, 00:17:05.860 --> 00:17:06.720 and to be His servants, 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:09.600 everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:11.220 and holds fast my covenant, 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:13.640 these I will bring to my holy mountain, 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:16.240 and make them joyful in my house of prayer. 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:20.339 Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar. 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:24.740 For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:28.339 More than any other place in the world, 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:34.180 God's temple was to be a place of joy and prayer and unity. 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:37.980 A place where all peoples could come together and know the Lord. 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:42.420 So it's not a surprise that Jesus decides to clean house. 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:45.740 Well, now it's back to the fig tree. 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:48.500 When Jesus went to examine it, 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:50.200 it didn't have any fruit at all. 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:53.140 When He went and looked at the temple, 00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.359 see verse 11, 00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:55.620 He found the same thing. 00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:59.240 None of the fruit that God wanted it. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.660 And so He cursed the tree and it withered. 00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:05.539 This miracle of the fig tree is not actually out of Jesus' character. 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:08.339 In fact, this is at the very center of His message. 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:09.519 He makes this same point, 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:11.059 using even the same imagery, 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:12.519 again and again and again. 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:14.940 Just to pick one example almost at random, 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:16.000 in John 15, He says, 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:18.380 I am the vine and you are the branches. 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:20.420 Whoever abides in me and I in him, 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:22.259 he it is that bears much fruit. 00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:24.359 For apart from me you can do nothing. 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:26.660 If anyone does not abide in me, 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:28.980 he is thrown away like a branch and withers. 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:30.759 And the branches are gathered, 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.799 thrown into the fire, 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:32.819 and burned. 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:35.779 Jesus meant this as a warning for us. 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:38.019 This isn't just a lesson for the tree 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:39.519 or a lesson for the temple. 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:40.519 It's for all people. 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:45.400 God calls for us to bring forth the right fruit. 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:49.940 So friend, what kind of fruit are you bringing forth now? 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:53.240 Is it prayer and joy? 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:56.579 Is it selfishness and strife? 00:18:58.139 --> 00:19:01.799 All of us must feel the weight of Jesus' words. 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:06.680 Several years ago, the radio host Don Imus 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:09.180 made a racist remark on his broadcast. 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:11.279 You may remember this scandal. 00:19:12.080 --> 00:19:13.400 He ended up apologizing, 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.720 but he still defended himself. 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:16.539 And he said, look, I'm not a bad person. 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:19.460 I'm a good person, but I said a bad thing. 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:22.180 Doesn't that sound familiar? 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:25.519 I mean, how many times have you basically 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.600 said the same thing? 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:29.140 I'm not a bad person. 00:19:29.340 --> 00:19:30.779 I just did a bad thing. 00:19:32.340 --> 00:19:33.960 Well, Jesus and the New Testament 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:36.420 have a little bit different view on human nature. 00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:38.000 And it's pretty simple. 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:41.339 So you can tell a good person and a good tree 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:43.359 by the good fruit it produces. 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:46.380 And you can tell a bad tree by the bad fruit 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:49.279 or the total absence of fruit that it produces. 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:53.660 Jesus warns us before it's too late. 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:59.740 Turn away from this fruitless life of sin. 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:03.620 Jesus also tells us what to do. 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:06.160 So what do you think it would be? 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:06.680 What is it? 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.500 Have a plan. 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.259 Get some structure into your life. 00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:11.740 Do some random acts of kindness. 00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:13.819 Organize a 10K for charity. 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:15.120 Actually, let's make it a 5K 00:20:15.120 --> 00:20:16.380 because that sounds a little strenuous. 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:19.380 He doesn't say any of these things. 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:21.359 He says to have faith. 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:23.859 That's what the king commands. 00:20:24.699 --> 00:20:26.639 If you have faith, the rest will follow. 00:20:26.719 --> 00:20:27.699 Although it will take some work. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.919 But faith is essential. 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:32.099 Look back down to verse 21. 00:20:32.479 --> 00:20:33.879 And Peter remembered and said to him, 00:20:33.959 --> 00:20:36.379 Rabbi, look, the fig tree that you cursed has withered. 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:38.099 And it's kind of odd 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:40.939 because it seems like Jesus kind of suddenly changes the subject. 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:42.820 And Jesus answered them, 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:44.180 Have faith in God. 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.440 Truly I say to you, 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.580 whoever says to this mountain, 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:49.500 be taken up and thrown into the sea 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:51.259 and does not doubt in his heart, 00:20:51.320 --> 00:20:53.460 but believes that what he says will come to pass, 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.380 it will be done for him. 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:56.000 Therefore I tell you, 00:20:56.320 --> 00:20:57.500 whatever you ask in prayer, 00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:58.700 believe that you have received it 00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.600 and it will be yours. 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.740 And whenever you stand praying, forgive. 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.700 If you have anything against anyone 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:05.440 so that your Father also who is in heaven 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:07.539 may forgive you your trespasses. 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:12.420 Now Jesus' point here is not just 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:14.920 that God can do miracles through faith, 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.519 although he can. 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:18.519 And we need to be careful not to misinterpret 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:20.000 what Jesus is saying about prayer. 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:23.240 He's not saying that we should expect anything at all 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:25.619 as long as we can work up enough faith in ourselves. 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:27.960 And if for some reason we think our prayer hasn't been answered, 00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:31.519 that it's because we lack faith in some profound way. 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:34.000 No, we want to read this in the context 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:35.059 of the whole New Testament. 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:36.000 And the whole New Testament, 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:38.759 prayer is always meant to be according to 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.099 and dependent on God's will. 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:42.640 I mean, just later on in this very book 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:43.619 in the Gospel of Mark, 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:45.039 Jesus will himself will pray, 00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:47.039 Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:49.319 Remove this cup, his death from me, 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:52.059 yet not what I will, but what you will. 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:54.440 That's the model of prayer. 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:57.079 That's what it means to pray in faith. 00:21:58.039 --> 00:22:00.859 And it's prayer in faith that Jesus calls us to. 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:04.339 It's exactly what was not happening in the temple. 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:07.539 And this is a faith that allows us to forgive others, 00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:11.519 the opposite of the chief priests who are seeking to destroy Jesus. 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:15.220 So the tree withered and perished. 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:19.259 The temple followed suit pretty shortly. 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:22.039 But here, Jesus says, 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:24.480 here is how you can be a fruitful tree. 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.319 Have faith. 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.900 Simple trust in God. 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:31.619 A belief in his power and his goodness. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:34.960 Have the kind of faith that results in real prayer. 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:37.440 The kind of faith that allows you to forgive others. 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:40.460 Have faith in Jesus, the Son of God, 00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:42.340 who came to save sinners. 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:47.559 I think you can all fill in the application. 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:50.559 Jesus is coming as King. 00:22:51.320 --> 00:22:52.840 He's come once and he's already, 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:53.920 and he's coming again. 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.500 And at this very moment, 00:22:55.840 --> 00:22:56.640 at every moment, 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:58.100 he comes to us. 00:22:58.900 --> 00:23:01.200 He comes to us in his glorious humility. 00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:03.519 He calls for repentance, 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.840 for our fruitlessness. 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:08.339 He calls for us to produce 00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:10.579 the fruit of true faith in him. 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:13.099 How will he find you tonight? 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.359 Let's pray. 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:26.099 Father, we want to pray with real faith. 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:29.379 The kind of faith that Jesus himself showed. 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.919 But we have to confess our lack. 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:33.579 We fall short in so many ways. 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:35.839 So we pray that you would strengthen our faith. 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.859 We want to trust you. 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.960 Pray that you'd help all of us, Lord, 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:44.059 to recognize Christ's right to rule over us. 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:46.199 Pray that you would help us 00:23:46.199 --> 00:23:48.919 to bring forth the good fruit that pleases you. 00:23:49.439 --> 00:23:50.879 The fruit of worship and faith. 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.919 And we pray all these things 00:23:52.919 --> 00:23:54.359 according to your will. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.339 And in Jesus' name. 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.299 Amen. 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:56.399 Amen. 00:23:56.399 --> 00:23:56.460 Amen. 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:56.480 Amen. 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:56.500 Amen.