Mark 11:18-19 - An Assault of God's Glory

Mark 11:18-19
18 The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.
19 When evening came, they would go out of the city.
Message: An Assault of God's Glory

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem. After giving basically highlight of Jesus' ministry in chapter 1-10, Mark will now get into the detail of Jesus in Mark 11-16 and detail he is given. Jesus has ridden in to town on a colt fulfilling messianic prophecy and the next day comes upon a fig tree where he pronounces a judgment on it as well the people of Israel and then is more clear on this judgment as he enters the temple as the priests have made the temple about personal gain rather than heeding the call to reach beyond the Jews to the Gentiles and having a welcome place for them.

On the heel of Jesus coming on the scene in the Temple and asserting that "you (priests) have made my house a robber's den" naturally The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him. They have been confronted. Whether it is truth or not to them doesn't matter, they have been confronted which is a position priests and scribes don't experience much. They are usually the ones doing that confrontation on others. Now Jesus sees a problem in what they are doing. It is not clear if they think they've done anything wrong, but they don't like the assertion that they are doing anything wrong. So they are seeking now to destroy Him. 

But they were afraid of Him. They were afraid. Possibly they had used the temple like this for some time. No one said anything before, though how could someone. They feared the authority that Jesus put forth. And the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching. The chief priests and the scribes were all astonished at his teaching.

When evening came, they would go out of the city. The disciples and Jesus left the city. Jesus had said about the fig tree - May no one ever eat fruit from you again! It appears that he is taking the same position now regarding the temple. It's purpose is lost. There is no going back. God is patient. He gives people the opportunity to turn to Him. He gives many warnings. He has done this for centuries. But at some point it is over and the total disregard of him will have consequences.

Ezekiel 10-11 describes the glory of God departing from the temple and heading east, outside of Jerusalem, to the Mount of Olives. Ezekiel 11:23 - The glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood over the mountain which is east of the city. Sin had become so horrendous that God glory now departs from this Holy Place. But still God pledged to return his Glory to His temple.

Jesus (God) is returning to the City of Jerusalem, from the east, as predicted. But the leaders respond by seeking to destroy him. How often we act in the same way. We are so proud of the people we have become that we are not willing to accept his criticism, his correction.

Summary - Jesus has confronted the chief priests and scribes at the temple calling the work that is going on at the temple not what his purpose is for the temple. They have gotten off course. And the chief priests and scribes don't like this. They grow afraid of him and the people are astonished. So Jesus leaves. He leaves the temple.

Promise: - Christ is coming. Am I ready? Am I ready for his return or will Jesus find something else with me that is contrary to what he has called me to be?

Prayer: Lord I am a sinner. And daily I disobey you. I need you Spirit to keep working through me and speaking to me and turning my heart toward Jesus so that I can continue to do what he has called me to be - a servant to many. I get so selfish Lord and I start busying myself with things that seem good to me but they are still not your purpose. I want to stay committed to your calling. Lord, I desire to hear good news upon your return. I need to get ready.