15   And they come to Jerusalem: and he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and them that bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold the doves; 16   and he would not suffer that any man should carry a vessel through the temple. 17   And he taught, and said unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? but ye have made it a den of robbers. 18   And the chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, for all the multitude was astonished at his teaching.
      27.   And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders; 28   and they said unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? or who gave thee this authority to do these things? 29   And Jesus said unto them, I will ask of you one question, and 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 with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; He will say, Why then did ye not believe him? 32   But should we say, From men--they feared the people: for all verily held John to be a prophet. 33   And they answered Jesus and say, We know not. And Jesus saith unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Verses 15, 16. Had Jesus cleansed the temple before? When? (John 2:13-16). Preceding this action, what had occurred that might suggest the title of today's lesson? (Mark 11:6-10; Matt. 21:5-13). Was He bold and strong and thorough in this work? What were the money changers and dover-sellers doing there? Did this seem a legitimate thing--even a necessary convenience for the worshippers who had come to bring sacrifices and money offerings?

Verse 17. How did Jesus regard this house? On what was this conviction based? Did Jesus stand firmly by the Scriptures? What had they made of the House? Is there a distinction to be made between the holy and the common? Did the introduction of this traffic interfere with the purpose of the Temple as a house of prayer? Does the traffic of bazaars, suppers, entertainments, etc., interfere with the spirit of prayer and worship in the house of God today? (1 Tim. 3:15). What other things hinder the spirit of prayer in the Church? Shall we clean them out?

Verse 18. What was there in this that so enraged the chief-priests and scribes? What alone prevented their destroying Him at this time?

Verses 27, 28. What question did the priests, scribes, and elders now put to Him? Had they given Him any recognition, or

Verses 29, 30. If they had acknowledged that John's baptism was from God, what would they have been obliged to admit? (John 1:34; 5:33). If they had denied the truth of John's work and word, what trouble would they have got into? How did the people as a whole regard John? Were they right in this?

Verse 33. What way out of this dilemma did they choose? Was it really true that they did not know? If they did not know, whose fault was it? What did Jesus then answer them? Was that fair? [195]

THE "TRIUMPHAL ENTRY" (Mark 11:1-11).

      On the last journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:57) Jesus has now arrived at the Mount of Olives, "which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a Sabbath-day's journey off"; and He sends two of His disciples after a colt (vs. 2-6). How did that colt come to be there? How did Jesus know it was there? How did He know that no man had ever sat upon this colt? How did He know that the simple message, "The Lord hath need of him," would satisfy the owners, and they would let the colt go? These things are inexplicable without the Divine power and foreknowledge of Jesus Christ. They bring the colt unto Jesus; and they begin to cast their garments upon him, and Jesus sat upon the colt. The multitude and the disciples seized with wondrous impulse, began to spread their garments in the way. (What was the significance of this spreading of their garments under Him may be understood from 2 Kings 9:13). All at once the disciples and the whole multitude lifted up their voices and "began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen; saying, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest." "Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed is the kingdom that cometh, the kingdom of our father David." But when the city appeared in view, the Savior's sobs mingled with the shoutings of joy in strange contrast. (Luke 19:37-44). Alas, it should have been a "triumphal entry," but the King came to the daughter of Zion only to be rejected and cast out. Now they shall not see Him again until that future Day when out of their great tribulation Israel shall view His coming with glad acclaim. (Matt. 23:39).

THE FRUITLESS FIGTREE (Mark 11:12-14).

      The fig-tree to which Jesus came for fruit, had leaves in plenty; but, alas, nothing but leaves. It was indeed not yet season for figs. But it is the peculiarity of the fig-tree that it sets on its fruit before it puts forth leaves. If it was not time for the fruit, then neither was it time for leaves. Thus the leafy, fruitless fig-tree became a type as it were of the false, pretentious Judaism, full of claims and professions, but without corresponding fruit. (Rom. 2:17-29). Jesus therefore pronounced sentence upon it; as today He will do upon the Church, which, full of boast and high pretense, fails to show any real fruit.

HAVE FAITH IN GOD. (Mark 11:19-25).

      Peter, amazed at the quick withering of the tree, called the Lord's attention to it, asking how it happened. (Matt. 21:20). Jesus' only explanation was the admonition to "have faith in God." Like Elijah of old (James 5:17) Jesus had done this at God's word (1 Kings 18:36)--for faith comes in no other way (Rom. 10:17). All that Jesus did and said was at the Father's will and bidding. A man can not have faith to remove mountains without first having received a commission unto that end from God. But having received such commission and authority, and exercising it in harmony with God's will, he must allow no doubt. (Compare Luke 9:1 with Matt. 17:19, 20). The Lord immediately applies this principle to prayer. We have a great range of definite promise as to prayer, upon certain conditions (John 15:7; 1 John 3:22; 5:14, 15). Now, these conditions being fulfilled, it is essential that we shall "ask in faith, nothing doubting." (Jas. 1:6-8). When therefore we so ask, we may believe that already the thing asked is granted and ours, before it has actually come to pass. (John 11:41; 1 John 5:15). A beautiful example of anticipated answer and thanksgiving and praise before actual reception of the promise is found in 2 Chron. 20. Therefore, "All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye (have) receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:24, R. V. margin).

      Finally Jesus points out one great hindrance to acceptable prayer: enmities and an unforgiving spirit. This must be removed, or else God cannot hear us. [196]

Source: Third Lord's Day Lesson of May. Lesson 7. May 19, 1918. Jesus Exercising Kingly Authority (Mark