Mark 11
v.10
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
v.11
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
He saw the abominations and abuses which he afterward corrected. It may be a matter of wonder that he did not “at once” correct them, instead of waiting to another day; but it may be observed that God is slow to anger; that he does not “at once” smite the guilty, but waits patiently before he rebukes and chastises.
v.17
And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
v.22
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.
Literally, “Have the faith of God.” This may mean, have strong faith, or have confidence in God; a strong belief that he is able to accomplish things that appear most difficult with infinite ease, as the fig-tree was made to wither away by a word.
v.23
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
I propose that the “mountain” of this text symbolizes the Jewish temple and the “sea” represents destruction and divine judgment. Consequently, what Jesus means when he speaks of casting the mountain into the sea is that the one who exercises true faith in God is swept up into the New Age Jesus is launching throughout Mark, and the mountain/ temple, representing everything that separated them from God, has been obliterated and torn down. The text means not that followers of Christ are able to move mountains throughout their Christian lives in the future but that the single mountain of separation from God has been decisively removed once and for all and is now behind them in the past. This is why Jesus encourages his listeners to believe that they have already received what they ask for (v. 24)— which, in context, is supremely represented by the forgiveness of sins (v. 25), that for which the temple existed.
v.24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
We should rest in no religion that does not make us fruitful in good works. Christ taught them from hence to pray in faith. It may be applied to that mighty faith with which all true Christians are endued, and which does wonders in spiritual things.
v.25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
v.33
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
(3) NEVER DEFEND YOURSELF. We’re all born with a desire to defend ourselves. And if you insist upon defending yourself, God will let you do it. But if you turn the defense of yourself over to God He will defend you.
Whoever defends himself will have himself for defense, and he will have no other. But let him come defenseless before the Lord and he will have for his defender no less than God Himself.