Unchanging…

In the context of things that unfolded in Mark chapter 11 we get a clear illustration of how Jesus was unchanging in His position no matter what type of crowd was there. Unlike the religious leaders of today who seem to cater to the crowd, finding new modern ways of doing church, and always changing their message making sure no one is offended and ensuring the comfort of the people, this episode in Mark 11 paints a completely different picture of these counterfeit superficial Christian leaders of today.

The chapter starts off with Jesus instructing His disciples to go into the village and fetch him a young donkey (Mark 11:2) and not only did they place their coats on the donkey for Him to sit on, but some even laid their coats along with leafy branches on the ground before Him (v.8). And as He entered everyone there shouted behind Him: “Hosanna ! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11: 9,10)

With such a triumphant entry and the people praising and honoring Him you would think Jesus would watch what He does next safeguarding the “respect” He just received…However He does something that probably made people question the honor they just gave Him, for as He entered the temple, in a fit of anger He began driving out those who sold and bought, and overturned the tables of the money changers (Mark 11:15-17). This is the second time Jesus did this, 3 years earlier John gives an account of Him doing the same thing, even making a whip to drive them out (John 2:14-16) This offended the religious leaders so much, it is here where we read, “The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him…” (Mark 11:18)

We definitely do not see this type of boldness today. There are a few Christian leaders that does not cower away from sin and falsehood, but within the large religious venues, the mega churches of pop Christianity, and unfortunately those who support and follow them as well, to see such unwavering is obsolete.

This unchanging and consistent stance Jesus had is something I pray we can all possess as well. There are way too many popular Christian leaders that are deceiving and manipulating millions to be like them rather than Jesus Himself, and because of this, falsehood and sin are running rampant throughout Christianity. Unlike these false leaders, Jesus wasn’t impressed with the praises and honor He received, rather His words were inflexible and rigid, never compromising for the sake of comfort and peace but for the sake of repentance and eternal life.

In Christ,
Marc