Daily Devotions
Mark
Acts 1:20 "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, 'Let his dwelling place be desolate, and let no one live in it' and 'Let another take his office.'" Acts 1:20"
Day 245 – Mark 11
“For it is written in the Book of Psalms, ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, and let no one live in it’ and ‘Let another take his office.'” Acts 1:20
RETURNING TO JERUSALEM THE NEXT DAY
The triumphal entry was a single, spectacular event, fraught with the deep theological meaning. Only the wise and discerning would appreciate the significance of that prophecy-fulfilling triumphal ride into Jerusalem.
“Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany,
He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves,
He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it.
He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.”
MARK 11:12-13
1. Change in writing
a) Mark had written in broad perspective, covering the ministry of Jesus in general, in the earlier chapters (Mark 1-10).
b) There was now a sudden change of focus in his writing. The remaining chapters of his Gospel (Mark 11-16) would focus on the last week of Jesus on earth!
2. The Fig Tree
a) The Fig may be described as one of the national trees of Israel.
b) Fig trees were found in random places; they grew easily and were not difficult to maintain; the climate of Israel enhanced the growth of fig trees
c) The poor, if they were very hungry, could go to any public fig tree and enjoy the fruit.
3. The Fig Tree as a symbol of Israel
The most significant application of the fig tree is to see it as symbolic of the nation of Israel. (Isaiah 5 describes the Vine as another symbol of Israel). In contrast to the Vine, the fig tree did not need any special attention to cause it to be fruitful.
a) From afar, the Fig Tree looked as if it promised to have fruit on its branches.
b) But drawing nearer, Jesus examined the tree and found that it bore no fruit at all.
c) Notwithstanding that this wasn’t the season for fruit-bearing, the fig tree, if it is truly fruitful, would have some fruits (they could be small, scattered, but there would be some)
THE PRONOUNCEMENT AGAINST THE FIG TREE
Jesus solemnly made this puzzling proclamation, as He passed by the fig tree.
“Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”
MARK 11:14