John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father Will honor the one who serves me.

John 12:31-34

31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.” 33 Now He was saying this to indicate what kind of death He was going to die. 34 The crowd then answered Him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how is it that You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

V36…When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

I. Summary of A Ministry (John 12:37-50)

John 12:42-43

42 Nevertheless many, even of the rulers, believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, so that they would not be excommunicated from the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of people rather than the approval of God.

II. The Withered Fig Tree & Prayer (Matt 21:20-22; Mk 11:20-26; Lk 21:37-38)

Mark 11:20-26

20 As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. 21 And being reminded, Peter *said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree that You cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered and *said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted to him. 24 Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you for your offenses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your offenses.”

Is Jesus saying that prayer is a carte blanche calling for anything you want? No.

We must pray:

1) In Faith Matt 21:22, & Obedience 1 John 3:22

2) with Persistence Lk 11:9; 18:1-6

3) According to the will of Jesus “in my name” Jn 14:13-16; 15:16; 16:23-26; 1 Jn 5:14-15 & remaining in Jesus Jn 15:17.

4) In cooperation /conjunction with other believers Mt 18:19.

5) With unselfish motives Jam 4:2-3.

We pray for:

1. God to send workers into the harvest Mt 9:38.

2. The Holy Spirit Lk 11:13.

3. That which is necessary in order to bear fruit Jn 15:16.

4. Wisdom Jas 1:5

III. Arriving at the Temple (Mt 21:23-27; Mk 11:27-33; Lk 20:1-8)

Mark 11:27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts {teaching the people and preaching the gospel Lk 20} the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. {Tell us Lk 20} Mk 11:28 By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” Mk 11:29 Jesus replied, “I will {also Mt21 & Lk 20} ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism – was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!”

End of Tuesdays Temple visit:

Mark 12:41-44 with Lk 21:1 41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. {As he looked up Lk 21:1} Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – All she had to live on.”

1st Jesus knows….

2nd God is the ultimate in thinking fair

You may be sitting at a table you should be overturning.