READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary | Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem with crowds rejoicing and celebrating His arrival. They shouted “Hosanna!” (Mark 11: 8-10) meaning ‘Save us!’ expecting a warrior king like King David who would rescue them from their physical predicament. However, their cheers would later turn to jeers as Jesus failed to meet their expectations. His salvation was of a different kind – a spiritual salvation, a turning of their hearts and minds to God.
An Angry Jesus
Following His triumphal entry, Jesus curses a fig tree because it was barren. In Jerusalem, he violently interrupted the business ongoings in the temple, driving out those who sold and bought, and overturning tables of money changers and other vendors (Mark 11:12-19).
At first glance, this appears very out of character for Jesus, even unreasonable. Scripture tells us “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.” (Ecclesiastes 7:9). In Ephesians 4:26, we are also instructed to “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger”.
Why did Jesus curse a seemingly innocent fig tree? And why was He so upset with the happenings in the temple?
The Fig Tree – a Reflection of Israel
Jesus was using the fig tree as a visual parable to announce judgement on Israel. Israel was like the fig tree – outwardly luxuriant but barren in the fruits of righteousness. Israel was in a spiritually poor state, and inwardly corrupt like the temple. On His last week on earth, Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem and prophesied that its enemies would crush Jerusalem because they were unrepentant and did not realise when God visited them (Luke 19:42-44). Israel would be like the fig tree, ‘withered away to its roots’ (Mark 11:20).
The visual parable of the fig tree is not just for Israel but is also applicable to the Church. It is important to examine the areas in our lives which may look good like large and shiny leaves but are not bearing fruits of righteousness. We should consider immediate actions to avert God’s judgement.
The Cleansing of the Temple
Jesus started His ministry on earth (after His first miracle of turning water into wine) by cleansing God’s house (John 2:13-17) and repeated His actions during His last week on earth (Mark 11:15-19). He was angry to see pilgrims who came to worship God exploited by unscrupulous money changers, merchants and corrupt temple inspectors. From Jesus’ anger and actions, we recognize His consuming zeal for God’s house (John 2:17).
As Jesus’ disciples, we must also adopt a similar position when we see evil perpetuated. Jesus would not hold His anger with people who were content with letting evil practices remain or things remain.
House of Prayer for All Nations
In the same incident, we also see Jesus’ anger towards those who did not pray sincerely and distracted or prevented others from worshipping God in His house.
Jesus exclaims, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” (Mark 11:17) This clues us in that the temple marketplace was situated in the Court of the Gentiles – a place for non-Jews to worship God. The busy and crowded marketplace environment would have made it very unconducive and unattractive for any Gentile to enter God’s house for worship. The unscrupulous business practices of the Jews in the name of godly worship would also have been stumbling.
We must guard our posture when we step into God’s house because it is a house of prayer. It is important to enter our spaces of worship with reverence and awe and not take the presence of God for granted. Our worship should inspire rather than distract or stumble others. Otherwise, God may come and overturn our internal tables and do a cleansing of our house.
Faith and the Righteous Judgement of God (Mark 11:20-25)
In Jewish imagery, a mountain signifies something strong and immovable. The mountain in this context refers to the temple system which the chief priests and scribes had manipulated for their own benefit, robbing the people of the true worship of God.
Jesus taught His disciples that the only way to overturn this system and to exercise God’s judgement on earth was to have faith. After Jesus’ ascension, the mantle and authority to judge on earth were given to the apostles (John 20:23). In Acts 5:1-11, Peter demonstrated this authority when he judged Ananias and Sapphira for lying about the amount they had sold their property for, and they died on the spot, like the fig tree.However, Jesus is clear that there can be no personal malice or aggression involved in such work. Even while denouncing the corrupt temple system, Jesus’ final stern command was to forgive. It is perhaps only when we learn what that means, that we can be entrusted with Jesus’ authority to exercise God’s judgement against evil.
(Sermon notes by Stella Chiam)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Is the emotion of anger a sin? Why? (Eccl. 7:9; Eph. 4:26)
- “Anger is a characteristic of our holy God, who cannot accept or condone sin and evil”.
- How would you feel if God were to give up on you because of unrepented sins?
- What would you give up or deny yourself to return to Him?
- Why did Jesus curse the innocent fig tree?
- What do you think Jesus see in your future?
- Which areas in your life look good like large and shiny leaves, but are not bearing fruits of righteousness?
- What immediate actions must you take to prevent God’s judgement?
- “Jesus was angry with people who were content with letting evil practices remain.”
- How many times did Jesus cleanse the temple? Why? (Jn 2:13-17; Mk 11:15-19)
- What will you do when you see evil in action? Will you look the other way and pretend not to see anything and allow it to continue?
- Will you be so angry like Jesus that you will take action to address the issue?
- “Jesus was angry with those who did not pray sincerely and distracted and prevented others from worshipping God in His house.” (Mk. 11:17)
- Are you praying and connecting with God, or are there unrepented sins that hinder you from hearing Him?
- If non-Christians are in our Worship Service, would they be inspired or distracted to pursue Jesus by our attitude and behaviours?
- What has faith got to do with the righteous judgement of God? (Mk 11:20-25)
- How do you feel to know that Jesus gave his disciples including you authority to judge? (Jn. 20:23)
- What did Jesus say to do before you judge others? (vv. 24-25)
- How would you constantly trust God to move “mountains” as you judge with His authority?
