Mark 11:22-33
THE LORD now gives the disciples divine counsel as to the manner and character of their prayers. Indeed faithful prayers are rewarded, as many a believer has proved. But in presenting our prayers to God a character fitting to His holiness must be found in our own hearts.
“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.... I say unto you, What things soever ye dire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any;... But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
As we are told here, our prayers can scarcely result in blessing if we have no faith and if we fail to come to Him first with a cleansed heart. In Psalm 24:3-4 we read: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.”
It is helpful in considering these passages to also remember these words to believers: “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” 1 John 5:14-15. These thoughts help us understand the true character of prayers acceptable to God. First, faith in what we express to Him. Second, judging our hearts and consciences and confession of wrong for our own cleansing. Third, asking “according to His will.” We may be sincere in the request and strongly feel our needs or the needs of others, and yet not be in accordance with His will in what we ask and therefore not receive the answer in the manner we expect.
“And as He was walking in the temple, there come to Him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, and say unto Him, By what authority doest Thou these things? And Jesus answered... I will also ask of you one question.... The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer Me.... And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell.” vv. 27-33.
The religious rulers of the Jews must have been amazed to see Jesus casting the merchants out of the tele, but their hypocritical hearts are again displayed in their challenge as to His authority. They did not, hover, weigh the hazard to their own position when approaching the One who could read their hearts and Who presents them, in turn, with a most searching question about John the Baptist. They did not dare answer in the presence of the people and secretly “reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; He will say, Why then did ye not believe Him? But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.”
So they seek to cover the situation by a pretended ignorance, which must have caused wonderment on the part of the people. Could it be possible that their religious teachers could not answer so simple a question? “Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.” He knew their evil thoughts and could find no pleasure in reminding them of His true authority, for they had long since rejected Him and had no desire to have their eyes opened.
ML-01/26/1964