Pray: "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."

1. 1

   What do you learn about God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) from this chapter? His thoughts, ways, or actions toward us, as His creation? How can you respond to God in prayer and praise?

2. 2

   In verses 1-10, we read what is known as the Triumphal Entry. If anyone asked the two disciples what they were doing with the colt, what were they to say? What did the people on the streets shout as Jesus rode by? Ponder: What did this require of the two disciples in order to complete the task Jesus gave them to do? Note: The people who shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," did not fully understand the impact of their statements. While this was a fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, it brought no reaction from the Jewish leaders. This side of the cross we see the significance, but at the time of the actual event, the people were just participating in the customary Passover rituals. While many in the crowd may have seen Jesus as a Messianic figure, they did not have the faith and conviction to see Him as the true Messiah.

3. 3

   In verses 12-14, what did Jesus find on the fig tree? What did he not find on the fig tree? As a result, what did He do to the tree?

4. 4

   In verses 15-19, what reason did Jesus give for overturning the tables and driving people out of the temple? Why did the chief priests and scribes want to destroy Jesus?

5. 5

   According to verses 20-25, what did Peter notice? What did Jesus tell the disciples to have faith in? What 2 things must accompany faith if our requests are to be given? (Hint: vs. 23 and 25).

6. 6

   In verses 27-33, how does Jesus cleverly place the chief priests and scribes in a no-win situation? What does it reveal about their faith?

7. 7

   Ponder: In this chapter, we have read about those who had great faith, those who had partial faith, and those who had the appearance of faith but lacked the fruit of faith. The two disciples displayed great faith as they went to acquire the colt for Jesus. They were taking someone's colt! Who knows what could have happened, but they displayed faith in Jesus and acted. The people were shouting "Hosanna"; they got it, but not fully. They did not recognize or embrace Him as Messiah. The fig tree appeared lush and should have borne fruit, but none was found; much like the chief priests and scribes. They were the priests and scribes! They appeared righteous on the outside, but on the inside they produced no fruit. Not only did they not believe Jesus was the Messiah, but they also wanted to destroy Him! And why? Because others were astonished at His preaching. The fig tree had a second lesson for the disciples. Jesus said, "Have faith in God." Faith that can move mountains! Was this just any kind of faith? Lou Barbieri put it this way in the Moody Bible Commentary, "Jesus used the cursed fig tree for a second lesson, specifically, on the power of faith. The key to this teaching is the object of faith. The focus of faith must be on the sovereign Lord, not on faith itself" (pg. 1538). What is the object of your faith? Does your faith produce fruit or only have the appearance of faith on the outside? Do you tip your hat to Jesus, but don't really believe? I also wonder how faith would impact your ability to forgive. Faith in the sovereign, righteous, just God. How does this lead you to pray? Hebrews 12:2 "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…"