Mark 11: Dealing with Reality
What is “REAL”? Is what I perceive REAL? – but is what I perceive to be REAL – TRUTH? (not always)
Reality is not what “I want it to be” – there is a school of thought today that propagates a ‘secret’ way of positive thinking in order to create truth – that truth is based on my believing something is so. No, that is witchcraft. Witchcraft is about controlling the reality of this world; people or events.
The first tool in navigating through life is recognizing that I do not control reality.
Despite how much I believe something is or is not real – I must deal with the truth and respond.
So – while I do not control reality I do control how I choose to respond to reality, whatever that reality is.
My response is directly proportionate to how I think – so in a sense my thinking is my reality… but again it is not necessarily TRUTH.
REAL LIFE is about managing my thinking. As I manage my thinking I allow the truth to determine my reality.
- Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.”
It’s the matrix… and according to the bible a truth. There is another world (another reality) that we cannot see with our eyes, a reality in which, if I have accepted the gift of salvation, I have been placed and “sealed”. And while I am already there… I am still here.
A tool in navigating through life is my ability to see this reality through the lens of that reality. That I am able to deal with this life in the context of that life.
How does that shift in perspective happen? I begin trusting in what I cannot see instead of what I can.
In a crisis there is a paradox – it’s named the “Stockdale Paradox” and it is this: "you must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end with discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”
Jesus dealt with this reality through the lens of the kingdom. Everything Jesus did was a result of his choice to broker the kingdom of God into this world.
He only did and said what he saw and heard from the Father.
In chapters 11 and 12 of Mark Jesus provides a number of lessons for us in “dealing with this current reality” – most of which are harsh truth about people, life and this world.
Why such the downer? To prevail and live a victorious life it is necessary to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality.
1. People are capricious – (Mark 11:1-11)
The same people that shouted out “Hosanna” (save us now) stood and mocked their proclaimed king a week later.
This is due to a misplaced expectation and the resentment of that unfulfilled expectation.
- Why? The difference between their expectation of what Jesus was supposed to be – and the truth of who he actually was. They expected an overthrow of the system through war and governmental rule – when they did not get that… their affection turned and the harsh reality of capriciousness raised its fist.
2. Appearances are deceiving (leaves are not fruit) – (Mark 11:12-14)
In context Jesus is referring to Israel and how they appeared fine from a distance yet inwardly (within their leaves) had nothing of value.
- True reality is not external it is eternal.
- So, how should we deal with this reality? Two ways; the first – seasons (time) which is of this world – time is one your side. The second – through the prompting of the Holy Spirit which is not of this world.
3. People will try to justify their behavior - Justification is not a valid reason – (Mark 11:15-19) – justification is not truth.
The temple priests justified their behavior; of overcharging and taking advantage of the poor, by saying they were helping them. They were convinced that they were making life easier for their fellow man.
I mean – who would want to travel a great distance with a sacrifice only to find upon their arrival that it was not acceptable? They believed their actions were justified because of convenience. Although it violated the poor and profited by fear.
Think about it… the world’s reality is one of convenience, ease and simplicity… - “I’m just trying to help…”
The kingdom’s reality is one of perseverance, duty, sacrifice and discipline… - “I’m striving for greatness…”
- Do you live a life of convenience or duty?
- Do you do what is necessary first, or what you want to do first?
- Do you justify your behavior? Particularly with “They made me… or “I have too, there is no other way…”
4. As a Christian - You will live in denial – (Mark 11:20-25)
Again, the fig tree represented Israel and their fruitlessness. In addition to that imagery Jesus uses it to provide a “reality” check on faith.
Faith in God will appear like denial to those filled with unbelief.
Dealing with reality is a balance of what my mind believes and what my spirit knows.
Faith (belief) does not come from the mind – it comes from the heart. The mind is a brilliant servant in a horrible master – but it is not the seat of faith.
- We undermine tremendous faith by what we think about.
- True faith is not the denial of superior reality it is a denial of the effect and power of inferior realities.
(v21) Why the abrupt shift from Peter saying… “Hey look at the fig tree that you cursed – it has withered.” To Jesus answering, “Have faith in God…”
- The point is; don’t look at the physical result of prayer – that’s the wrong perspective.
- The tough thing is, according to Jesus, to pray without doubting. To believe something will come to pass.
- That is not to say every healing or deliverance that does not happen is a lack of faith – the payoff (result) should not be the focus.
- The payoff is a heart that is convinced that nothing is impossible with God.
- If there must be a payoff or “manifestation” of a prayer – I have prayed for the wrong reason.
- When I attach a “result” to faith/prayer I have placed the supernatural within a box that I have created.
For example – healing is within God’s will – what happens when I do not get the result “I” want in regard to healing?
- I question God. I stop praying. I loose faith. I despair.
Jesus reveals to us a couple chapters later the key to navigate through unanswered prayer.
- An acceptance of the Fathers will. He prayed for this cup to be taken from him… it was not.
- How did Jesus do this? He understood the “other reality” of heaven and eternity.
5. People will prefer safe? (Mark 11:27-12:12)
- The chief priests and scribes refused to answer a very specific question (to which they had the answer) with a lie of “not knowing”.
- They played it safe –
CHAPTER 12
From this point Jesus is tested by the predominant religious leaders.
- We’ve already encountered the Sanhedrin (11:27-12:12) – Their question was one of authority. These were the keepers of the law the historians of the day (the House of Representatives) and while they should have known the traits and nature of God they had forgotten.
o Why did Jesus ask them about John the Baptist? For the simple reason that God does not teach us new truth if we have rejected the truth he has already revealed.
o The Sanhedrin had rejected John the Baptist… therefore they would also reject Jesus.
6. The Reality check here – if you don’t learn the basics you cannot learn the complex. If you don’t know the basics of riding a bike (balance and momentum) – the complex doesn’t matter (inertia, gravity, force, energy…) If I don’t know the basics of the bible (sin, heaven, hell, forgiveness) … I cannot know the complex (atonement, sanctification, Christology, Eschatology).
NOTE: Living out the bible is not difficult – it’s impossible – it’s very complex - but that’s the point… because it’s impossible it is necessary for me to exist in the reality of basic – for it is only out of understanding the basic that the deep complexities of God are revealed.
The Pharisees and Herodians (2:13) – money/taxes – essentially a question about responsibility. Yet these two groups hated each other at every other time in history. The Pharisees thought the Herodians (a group granted power from the Roman Empire) were usurpers of the throne of David.
o Their “trap” about responsibility was thwarted by Jesus – by giving us another “reality to deal with” – “there will be taxes”. (haha)
7. In this scenario the lesson (deal with reality) is that you will always be under authority.
- Moreover, obey and respect authority – don’t be divisive.
- There will be governmental and spiritual authority.
The Sadducees (2:18) – sex/relationships/marriage – this line of questioning is about eternity. The Sadducees were the “religious aristocrats” of Judaism.
8. The reality here – you don’t know everything – and additionally (no one knows everything). Be teachable.
The Scribes (2:28) – priorities/values/ - their question falls under the heading of priority. Of the 613 various commands – which was the most important… love.
9. Deal with the reality of facing the truth. Face the truth honestly - “Not far from the kingdom of God” means – a person is facing truth honestly.
10. The final reality that you must deal with for most is the most difficult: It is this - you’re of tremendous value – but you’re not that important. (12:41-44)
Rich people were putting in large amounts of money into the offering box with a big production. A poor widow put in a penny with little fanfare.
- The lesson is about giving. It is not the “portion” but rather the “proportion” that we give.
- The truth is about value – and what is really important.
If a person is important because of the title they bear, the place they live, or the car they drive their “importance” is artificial.
Again, examine Jesus… where did he spend his time? Who was important to him? What did he demonstrate?
The final reality is that you have value, but it is not because of the amount you can offer – it is because of what was offered for you.
For example: in the world things that are of value has a cost that is associated with them. The higher the cost the more value that is associated with the item.
So think about your value – God paid a price that is beyond the measurement of worth. He gave His life to “purchase” you. You have so much value that there is not a worldly figure that can be associated with it – it must step beyond the natural into the supernatural for the price to be recognized.
That’s a lot to deal with;
1. People are capricious.
2. Appearances are deceiving.
3. People will try to justify their behavior
4. You will live in denial.
5. People will prefer safe
6. If you don’t learn the basics you cannot learn the complex.
7. You will be under authority.
8. You don’t know everything.
9. Face the truth.
10. You have tremendous value.
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