Jesus had a way of confounding expectations. 

Max Lucado writes of Jesus: 

 “They called him a revolutionary; then he paid his taxes.  They labeled him as a country carpenter, but he confounded scholars.  They came to see his miracles, but he refused to cater…He was a Jew who attracted Gentiles.  A rabbi who gave up on synagogues.  A holy man who hung out with streetwalkers and turncoats.  In a male-dominated society, he recruited females.  In an anti-Roman culture, he opted not to denounce Rome.  He talked like a king yet lived like a pilgrim.” (Fearless p. 164)

Mark 11 is a chapter of recalibrating expectations, bringing them in line with the reality of the King of Kings.

The crowds expected deliverance  11:1-11

By entering Jerusalem on an unridden colt amidst the praises of the people, Jesus not only fulfilled prophecy but captured the attention of the crowds and the religious leaders (Zech 9:9; Ps 118:26). Think back to Jesus’ very first recorded words in this gospel (Mk 1:15) What was His message then? What is the obvious message now? What is His message still today (Rev 19:16)? Have I received Christ as King?  Who is sitting on the throne of my heart today (Ps 95; 1Tim 1:17; 1Pet 3:15)?

Jesus expects fruit  11:12-14

Israel had been given every advantage to produce fruit (Rom 9:4-5…the glory, covenants, the law, worship and promises, the patriarchs, the prophets, temple, and the Messiah). But like this fruitless fig tree, Israel was a pretender when it came to a vital relationship with God, lots of leaves and no fruit. What advantages has God given me? If Jesus walked up to me right now, would He find fruit or “nothing but leaves?” What kind of fruit can we expect God to bear in us? (Matt 7:16-20; Jn 15:5, 16; Gal 5:22-25; Col 2:6-7, 3:5-14; Titus 2:14, 3:1, 8)

 

Jesus expects unhindered access to the one true God  11:15-19

The court of the Gentiles was the place set apart for people far from God to approach God. What should have been a place of praying, had become a place for preying and paying. If Jesus showed up at my house, small group, or church, what would He overturn (expose) which keeps me, my family, or others from worshipping the Father? 

Believers can expect prayers to be answered   11:20-25

Jesus emphasizes the importance of prayer more in the last weeks of his life than in the first 3 years of his ministry. He desires for us to become men of prayer who come with childlike faith. How does what I know about God’s character shape how I pray (Matt 7:7-11)? Why does God care about my horizontal relationships when it comes to prayer (Matt 5:23-24)?