On Line Bible Study - For the week August 24-30, 2009

Lesson 402

Mark 11: ¹As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, ²saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "

⁴They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, ⁵some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" ⁶They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. ⁷When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. ⁸Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. ⁹Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

"Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" ¹⁰"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest!"

¹¹Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Let's pick out two elements in this story - Prophecy fulfilled; Impending conflict with the Temple.

Scholars agree that it is difficult, if not impossible, to know exactly the manner in which Jesus entered into Jerusalem. But what is certain is this: the scene is meant to recall - and perhaps recreate - the prophetic promise of the coming of a messiah. In Mark 8 we were faced with having to make a decision about Jesus: Who do you say I am? In Mark 11 Jesus' entry calls forth images from Zechariah - the Mount of Olives as the place where the Lord is revealed in the great battle against the nations (Zechariah 4:4), and the humble entrance of the king on "the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9).

So, Mark wants us to understand what Jesus is doing in the context of messianic prophecy fulfilled. The joyful shouts of the people (we don't know how many, but a fairly large crowd is suggested) are repetitive of Psaolm 118:25 (Lord, save us!) But in this context, the cry for salvation reads more like an acclamation of praise - the one who will save us has arrived.

It is interesting to note the reference to the kingdom of David. Verse 10 is not a direct quote from any particular Hebrew Scripture; but it does situate Jesus' ministry squarely within the boundaries of Jewish royal (messianic) tradition.

That Jesus examines "everything" in the temple is interesting. In Mark's account this is the first time Jesus comes to Jerusalem. Could it be that he is looking around for the purpose of getting his bearings, as a tourist might do? Perhaps. But what he sees inspires something else in him - something we will explore more in the next lesson.