Mark 11:27-33 Jesus' Authority Questioned

27 Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 28 And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” 29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 “The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.” 31 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 “But if we say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. 33 So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”


Devotional
Jesus’ return to Jerusalem and specifically the Temple was the day after He cleansed the Temple of the selling of wares that was going on inside of God’s House. And so it was that as He was walking in the Temple that “...the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 28 And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” Vs. 27-28 Notice that it is the three main elements of power within the Temple; the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders who approach Jesus in regards to His having cleansed God’s House. For these were the men who were permitting these practices, and likely were themselves profiting from such practices, and thus these are the men who now confront Jesus about His doing so. Notice to that the Pharisees are not mentioned in regards to this incident since their authority lay outside of the Temple’s domain. While the Sadducee's, the other frequently mentioned group in the gospels is akin to the chief priests, since the high priest was generally drawn from their ranks. While the elders were leading elder men in Israel who like the Sadducee's formed a type of ruling aristocracy both within the Temple and the Sanhedrin counsel (of which the Pharisees belonged, but again did not have any authority in regards to Temple affairs), and thus through the Sanhedrin, Jewish religious affairs were governed, while they were under the auspices of the Romans, through their appointed tetrarch’s or regional governors, which came from the Herod family dynasty and Pontius Pilate in Judea and Samaria.

That’s the backdrop of their authority and their approaching and questioning Jesus on what authority He was doing these things, which was His ending the buying and selling of goods within God’s House. Therefore they rather emphatically want to know who gave Jesus the authority to do so. Now we know the answer and that is God gave Him His Authority, both as His Son, (Luke 20:9-19) as well as Jesus being the Messiah. Therefore their questioning Jesus’ Authority in doing these things, which He did in His Messianic Authority (Mal. 3:1-3) is both their blindness too and their rejection of Him as the Messiah. Something that they demonstrate over and over again throughout the gospels, and so it will be with their questioning Jesus on whose authority He did those things that He will likewise question them, saying: …“I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 “The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.” Vs. 29-30

Now Jesus’ questioning them about John’s baptism as to whether it was from heaven or from men is linked directly with Himself. For John’s Baptism of repentance was to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord (Matt. 3:1-12). It didn’t bring salvation, it prepared all those who believed him and repented at his preaching, to receive God's salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:15, 18-34, 3:22-36; Acts 19:3-4). For God does not allow men and women to pick and choose what they will believe about Himself, or His Son, or His messengers (that is the Biblical prophets) and thus His Word which He sent by His Spirit into the world through them. You either accept all the revelation of God as declared in the Scriptures (that is both New and Old Testaments) or ultimately you will receive none of it (consider John 5:31-46). Therefore with their reply that they did not know whether John’s baptism was from heaven or from men. Jesus says He will not tell them by what authority He was doing these things. Since they having already the rejected God’s witness given them; first through John the Baptist, then through the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, no more will be added (Luke 7:30). So with their reasoning amongst themselves by which they seek to avoid any further inquiry by the Lord, as well as any potential hostility from the crowds, they only go on to deny acknowledging that John’s baptism was indeed from heaven and so with that Jesus says to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” vs. 33 For again revelation from God is always directly linked to how much one receives and believes about His Son.

Have you then come to believe in Jesus Christ, putting all of your hope and faith for God’s forgiveness on Him? For it is only by the righteous work of God through the crucifixion death of His Son Jesus who suffered and died in our place, that God has ransomed back everyone who believes in Him from their sins and death. For the Scriptures having declared “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Rom. 3:23 There is nothing we can do to deserve or earn God’s salvation. We can only believe in Jesus and thus receive it by faith through God’s grace. For God in His love for us all gave His only Son Jesus Christ to suffer and die on a cross to pay for all our sins and thus ransom us back from sin and death. Then three days later Jesus rose from the dead so that we might have new and everlasting life when we believe in Him. That is why it is only said of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Scriptures: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
If you have not made a personal decesion for the Lord Jesus Christ please do so today. For there is nothing that is more life changing than that! For when you do you will find and experiance both the peace and love God in your heart and soul. Now to do that Jesus says it is just a matter of inviting Him in; of opening ones heart to Him and saying yes Lord Jesus I believe in You and I want you in my life (Rev. 3:20). Now you can do that by prayer, by simply praying something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe that You suffered and died on the cross so that I might have remission of all my sins, then You rose from the dead three days later so that I might have new and everlasting life. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be my Lord and Saviour, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 11:20-26 Jesus Returns to the Fig Tree

20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Devotional
Previously Jesus had cursed the fig tree on His way into Jerusalem when seeing it from afar and having leaves He thought there might be some fruit (i.e. figs) on it. However after approaching it, it became apparent that it did not have any, for it was not the season for figs. And with that Jesus said to it …“Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” Mark 11:14
Now for us this became a sort of symbol of Jesus’ visiting Jerusalem and specifically the Temple as the Messiah looking for the fruits of God within its midst, but not finding any. And so the lesson that we drew was that we too must likewise be ready for Jesus Christ’s coming, which can be at any time. Not just “ready” on Sunday morning when we are in church, but at any time living our lives in expectation of Jesus Christ’s return as He warns us all: “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Please read Matt. 24:36-44, 45-51). For Jesus’ second coming will be both for His church, which the Scriptures call His bride, as well as for the judgment of the unrepentant and unbelieving. Therefore the Scriptures warn: “…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” Heb. 9:27 A judgment which will be for the rewarding of those who put their faith in Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead for their sins remission, as well as a “rewarding” for those who did not repent and believe in Him. These will find an eternity of separation from God for their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ as well as a punishment for the sinful things they have done here in their flesh (2 Thess. 1:10; Rev. 20:11-15).

Now in stating that, it’s not that God will not pardon people’s sins, God is abundant in mercy and fully willing to pardon even the most heinous of sins and sinners. However if someone refuses His grace, that is His offer to freely forgive and restore them to Himself by faith in His Son, then that person will stand alone on the Day of Judgment. Are you ready to face the Lord Jesus Christ whom God has appointed Judge of all things? The Bible says there is but one way to be prepared for that day; repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Therefore the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son suffered and died on the cross as the finial and complete sacrifice for all our sins (Heb. 10:14) so that we can receive new and everlasting life when we believe in Him (John 3:16). And thus we can be prepared for the judgment to come, on the unrepentant and unbelieving, having our souls, indeed our whole persons, purified by the Lord Jesus Christ’s Person whose blood washes away all our sins, while He sanctifies us by God’s Word and His indwelling Holy Spirit. Who through His regenerating work in our lives progressively transforms our inner person into Christ likeness. Therefore our responsibility as Jesus Christ’s disciples, and recipients of the grace of God is to keep Jesus Christ’s Word. Since keeping His commandments and walking in brotherly love is the mark of all of His disciples (1 John 3:3-11). For “…Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Heb. 9:28

Now returning back to Marks gospel, and the passage at hand, Jesus in verse twenty two in response to the disciple’s amazement at how quickly the fig tree He cursed the previous day had withered away, responds by saying: ...“Have faith in God.” 23 “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. vs. 22-24

Please consider then that Jesus' opening Words “Have faith in God.” Vs. 22 are foundational to everything that is Christian. For that is the beginning of not only having ones prayers answered, but of having a relationship with God. For it’s not what we do (or haven't done) that brings us into a relationship with God, it’s what we believe about His Son. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9  Therefore all prayer as Jesus says must begin by faith in God, not faith in oneself, or someone else, but faith in God. Since it is God alone who has all Power and all Authority at all times, so as to be able to do anything at anytime. Therefore Jesus though seemingly using a hyperbole, to emphasize our need for faith in God when we pray, is in reality being quite literal in that He is emphasizing there are no limitations to the possibilities through believing prayer that one may achieve that would otherwise be impossible to achieve, any other way: “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Vs. 23-24

Now unfortunately Jesus’ Words have been misused by people who seemingly think His Words are an invitation to satisfy their own greedy and lustful hearts, (which they are not) for the Apostle James refuted such when by the Holy Spirit he wrote saying, “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:2-3

Therefore Jesus’ Words were not given as a Divine promise for those kinds of prayers, but for believers to pray in faith to God. For the person who sets out to do the will of God as the disciples were doing, will inevitably run into mountains that they will need moved. Just as we will. Therefore Jesus’ Words are a promise of Divine Intervention or Help when we are faced with problems or obstacles that we by natural means cannot overcome. Yet when we pray in faith, in God’s ability to overcome or move them, believing He will, Jesus Promises He will. Consider the disciples were twelve relatively unknown and insignificant men, even in the eyes of their own countrymen; they were merely untrained and uneducated men (Acts 4:13). Yet they were chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ to be His agents of bringing His Person and His Message to the ends of the world. Therefore they would need far more faith in God than any sort of self reliance on their own giftedness or abilities. For in a world separated from and often hostile towards God. And seemingly being run and at times overrun by Satan and his forces. Accomplishing the whole task by natural means is quite impossible (Zech. 4:6). Yet Jesus says to us all “have faith in God”. For ultimately it is our Sovereign Lord of the Universe who is fulfilling everything His Word declares. And thus He is steadily and unwaveringly accomplishing His own will and purposes, through and for His people, even while allowing the free will of mankind and spiritual forces of wickedness to do theirs. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Rom. 8:31-32

Now Jesus also went on to say that praying in faith to God is also to be a time of forgiving those who have sinned against us, since prayer is also a time of confessing sins and or seeking God’s Power to overcome them. Therefore prayer is not only a time of believing God to do what we cannot. But it is to be a time when we are to be forgiving the wrongs others have done to us. For if we do not forgive others who sin against us, as Jesus said, neither will our Father in heaven forgive us our trespasses. For that is what Jesus Christ did for us all when He took all our sins on Himself on the cross, while we were still sinners, demonstrating God’s love for us all (Rom. 5:8).
Therefore having received the reconciliation which God worked freely and mercifully for us all through His own Son, we as recipients of the grace of God are to be like minded towards everyone who sins against us, if we expect the same forgiveness from Him, now as His children, when we sin and trespass against Him. For God our Father freely and mercifully forgives us when we ask Him (1 John 1:9) hence we are to extend the same grace to others as well (Matt. 18:21-35). Yet how many of us fall into Satan’s (2 Cor. 2:1-11) or is it our own selfish and prideful hearts trap of holding out for justice, even while in prayer with God and seeking grace from Him. Somehow forgetting that Jesus Christ doesn’t demand justice from the Father when we sin against Him, instead He acts continually as our High Priest Advocating before the throne of grace on our behalf (Heb. 4:14-16; 1 John 2:1-2). For the Lord Jesus Christ though sinless and guiltless in every possible way did not decry the horrible burden God the Father laid on Him when He ask Him to bear the sins of us all, so that we might be forgiven by Jesus’ shed blood and sacrificial death on the cross for us all. Therefore in light of such things there is something terribly evil and unjust about our unwillingness to forgive those who sin against us when Christ Jesus the Lord bore such humiliation and pain and suffering just so we could all have God's forgiveness and new and everlasting life by faith in Him. Therefore Christ’s command is clear, forgiveness from God is linked to our forgiving others. Again God the Father is clear, forgive and you will be forgiven.

Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 11:15-19 Jesus Cleanses the Temple

15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ” 18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. 19 When evening had come, He went out of the city.

Devotional
After Jesus cursed the fig tree He now goes on and re-enters Jerusalem with the twelve (not the throng of multitudes as He had the previous day for His public declaration or unveiling as the Messiah to Jerusalem). Therefore what transpires today is Jesus Christ’s work as the Messiah (before His crucifixion death) in cleansing His Father’s house, the Temple, that was to be a place of prayer for all nations, but instead under the auspices of the Sanhedrin counsel, the religious counsel headed up by the high priest; and thus the counsel at that time over saw all the religious affairs of Israel. Though their primary influence lay in Jerusalem, and specifically the Temple and its ministry, where the chief priests of the sons of Levi ministered, yet they had allowed God’s House to become a den of thieves.
Nonetheless God’s House, the Temple, which symbolized God’s Presence amongst His people was to be a sacred place; a place where all people’s who sought God and His mercies, could come and find Him (1 Kings 8:22-52). That is what King Solomon prayed at his dedication of the original Temple, after God Himself filled the Temple with the glory of His Presence, after both Solomon and people consecrated it to Him (1 Kings 8:1-21). Therefore God’s House which bears His Name to all peoples was to be a place where anyone could seek Him and find His mercies, (Isaiah 56:1-7). Instead it had become a “den of thieves.” And as the Old Testament prophets reveal, when that happens, God’s response is unequivocal (See Jeremiah 7:1-11).
Now we know how it became a den of thieves; by allowing the buying and selling of goods in the Temple courts required for God’s commanded offerings, and thus worship of God became a means for profiteering; which the Lord Jesus upon visiting the Temple; twice took great offense at. And in this most evil practice, they made those foreigners who were seeking God exchange their money through currency exchangers, that they allowed in the Temple courts and through these charged an extremely unjust rate for the Temple coinage, which they required of the worshippers (Consider Micah 6:8-11).

It also became a den thieves in that they were profiteering off their own who were commanded by God; that is all males over twenty years of age; who were three times a year under the law to appear before Him (Ex.34:21-24) and bring their offerings to Him on their yearly Feasts, the principal one being the Passover. And since some could not make the journey by bringing their sacrifices with them, they allowed sellers of these things to set up a market in court of the Gentiles, where these could be purchased, of course at a profit for the sellers; all which is contrary to God’s Holiness and purposes for both His House and His sacrifices revealed in both the Law and prophets. And which the Lord Jesus thoroughly rebuked, when seeing these practices at His first Temple visitation, He said of these things: …“Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” John 2:16

While in Jesus’ second visitation, just before His betrayal and crucifixion death He says that they have made His Father’s House “a den of thieves”. For the first always precedes the second. Since the peddling of “wares” in God’s House inevitably leads to an environment where the thieves will find a sanctuary for themselves (2 Cor. 2:17; 1 Tim. 6:5-10; 2 Peter 2; Jude 3-19). Therefore Jesus’ cleansing the Temple was clearly to fulfill prophecy in opposing all such practices amongst the sons of Levi and in God’s House (Malachi 3:1-3; Psalm 69:9). Because God’s house is to be as Jesus said “a house of prayer for all nations”, not a place where thieves, as Jesus calls them, can profiteer or peddle their goods, since God’s house, and distinctly God’s people are to be called out from the abominations of the world around us (Rev. 18:3-4). For when one reads Revelations chapter eighteen, one sees a real connection between evil and those who for love of profit align themselves with it (Consider Luke 16:13-15; 1 John 2:15-17).

Now upon cleansing God’s house Jesus will heal those who were blind and lame in the Temple. Which would cause praise to rise up to God in the Temple by the children there, thus fulfilling the Word of God Yet this would only bring about the indignation of the chief priests and scribes there (Matt. 21:10-17). For Mark’s gospel declares that upon hearing Jesus’ Words the scribes and chief priests wanted to destroy Him. Yet they feared the people and thus they refrained, for the people were astonished with His teaching.

Now Jesus’ cleansing of Temple also reveals Himself as not only Lord of the Temple, but also that God’s house is His Body; that is where John’s gospel picks up on Jesus’ first Temple cleaning (See John 2:19-22). In sense this the Temple is His literal Body as He said, in another Christ’s Body of believers is God’s Temple in that it is through His Spirit He indwells all who believe in Him making each individual believer the Temple of the Lord (John 14:23; Acts 7:48-50; 17:24-25; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 6:16-18). For after the Holy Spirit’s outpouring it’s not the Temple made with human hands that sanctifies the worshipper, it is the presence of the Lord indwelling the worshipper. Therefore Jesus Christ the Lord is the true Temple of God for all who believe in God, for only those who believe in Jesus Christ the Lord will enter His Eternal Temple, of both Jews and Gentiles, having their names written in the Lamb’s Book of life (See Rev. 21:1-8, 21:22-27). For it is God in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ who took on human flesh so that He could come and dwell inside all believing men and women (Gal. 2:20) by the Holy Spirit (John 14:23); for it pleased God that in Christ all the fullness of God should dwell (Col. 1:19 paraphrase). For it is by Jesus’ Christ’s death on a cross that God has paid the penalty for all our sins which had separated us from God. Therefore with our sins permanently atoned for God can restore to us what we lost when Adam and Eve sinned and that is life; through the Holy Spirit God restores us to a holy union with Himself when we come to Him by faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:13-14).

For salvation from start to finish is purely a work of God, being born out of His love for all people to spare from the judgment to come regardless of their sins. For God rejects no one! Only those who reject His offer to pardon all their sins through His Son Jesus Christ’s crucifixion death will He reject if they choose to carry on in their sins and own ways rather than accept His grace and life transformation for them. Therefore God invites everyone to partake of His life by believing in His Son. For the Lord Jesus Christ’s invitation to new and everlasting life is to all: "And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17


Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

Mark 11:12-14 Jesus Curses a fig tree

12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.

Devotional

Now Jesus coming out of Bethany and seeing a fig tree from afar having leaves on it yet not finding any fruit on it is in many ways symbolic of His visiting Jerusalem as the Messiah. For like with the fig tree which having leaves from a distance gave the impression of fruitfulness, so with Jerusalem, which one could likewise see from Bethany. However when Jesus came to the fig tree; as with Jerusalem He found no fruit on it, for it was not the season for figs. And so in response to the fig trees barrenness, which again in many ways parallels Jerusalem which was also barren of faith in Jesus as the Messiah, when He visited it, Jesus said to the fig tree: “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”

Thus Jesus cursed the fig tree (vs. 21). Whether or not you transfer that curse directly onto Jerusalem is up for interpretation, yet Christ’s own Words, as well as the historic evidence which followed Jesus’ Words; which chronologically occur later in the gospel about Jerusalem’s, indeed the nations and the Temple’s destruction lay a strong basis for interpreting it that way. For ultimately the city Jerusalem, indeed the whole nation of Israel itself will not bear the fruits of God, which others may find salvation by, until they receive Jesus Christ as their Lord (See Matt. 23:37-39).

Now as Jesus without warning visited Jerusalem so He will visit each and every one of us if our lives upon hearing the gospels message about faith in Jesus Christ’s Person through His crucifixion death and resurrection from the dead, as the sole basis by which we receive remission of all our sins and new life, are being lived devoid of faith. For there is nothing more discordant with the gospel than Sunday morning “religion” that does not bear any semblance or likeness to the fruits of God during the rest of the week. For it is by the Holy Spirit and His fruits in our lives that the gospel’s message is often authenticated too, and embraced by, those around us.

Therefore in the gospels Jesus clearly warns that those who take His delay in coming again as opportunity for folly and lawlessness and begin to beat their fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, will be visited by Him on a day and hour they do not expect (Matt. 24:45-51). Similarly John the Baptist warned that every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire (Matt. 3:10-12). And so it became with Jerusalem the religious epicenter of Israel. They were as God’s covenant people to be living lives of faith in expectation of the Messiah’s visitation (Malachi 3-4), just as we are, but when Jesus visited Jerusalem they were unprepared for Him. That is why Jesus warns us all “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matt. 24:44 Now Jerusalem had all of the outward ceremony, but none of the inward life which only comes from believing in and seeking to obey God. Not by the traditions of men, but as Jesus said by the commandments of God (Matt. 15:1-9). Which He Himself now has giving us both directly and by the Holy Spirit through His Biblical Apostles (Acts 1:2; Rev. 14:12). However when Jesus visited Jerusalem and the Temple and He looked at all the things there He did not find the fruit of God in its midst. Instead the nation and specifically its leaders were divided into various religious and political factions that were either vying for power within Roman rule, or some sort of autonomy by which they themselves could rule, not for God; for His setting up His Kingdom, as promised in the Scriptures and which Jesus Christ came to fulfill, but for themselves (Mark 12:1-12). The prophet Zechariah clearly foresaw all of this, as the state of the nation when the Messiah would visit it, as well as their rejection of Him and thus their horrible destruction (see Zech. 11:4-14). The Apostle John specifically tells this, that the religious leaders were more concerned about maintaining their own places within the status quo than in anything having to do with God’s plans through Jesus Christ the Messiah, for either Israel, or the world (See John 11:45-54); while Jesus Himself declares in a parable this as the state of affairs in Israel to their leadership, to both the Pharisees and chief priests (Matt. 21:33-46). Nonetheless though Israel was cut off for a season, until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled (Rom. 11:25-27) they will be restored when they receive the One whom they have pierced (Zech. 12:1-13:1; Matt. 23:37-39). At that time never again will unjust men rule in Israel, but Jesus Christ the Lord.

Scripture Quotations

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.