Jesus Curses Tree and Clears a Temple

The Fruitfulness of Jesus’ creation.

Mark 11:12–26 NIV

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

So, if you come every week - you’ll notice we skipped the Palm Sunday narrative. It’s because we actually already did it - on Palm Sunday last year.

However, I want to bridge the gap to today.

Jesus embraces the Messianic imagery, riding in as the King. He does it in such a way that he’s seen as the humble KING but the imagery is still that he’s coming to Jerusalem as the King.

Then we have this narrative and it should make us feel weird at least a little bit. Like…

-Is Jesus being temperamental? Petty? Anger problems much?

However — there’s one point to this whole section and it actually TIES THE WHOLE BIBLE TOGETHER IN THE PERSON OF JESUS.

Jesus’ temple is to produce fruit

Everything happening in this text is an imagery of the falleness and inability of the temple to produce fruit. OR maybe better stated - DO WHAT IT WAS CREATED TO DO.

An imagery for God’s people and God’s creation — is God’s creation producing fruit? Is the creation, his people, his temple, living into it’s God designed purpose?

This is the WHOLE BIBLE AT WORK and we get it in an isolated moment that the Gospel of Mark does an amazing job of showcasing it’s bigger than just the temple itself, though that’s the imagery for all that we need to handle.

When God created the universe — he was creating his house. Eden would be his home, where he would walk with man and be with man. He would bring life and life abundantly. Man would find peace, a place to belong, a home in God and with God.

The creation narrative is a narrative about God creating his temple.

Temple definition - A temple is a sacred place where the God (or gods) dwells, thereby bringing heaven to earth, where the God (or gods) exercises [and extends on earth] his rule and reign, and where humans connect with and worship God.

So now - the tabernacle and eventually the temple in Jerusalem is always pointing back and recreating the creation narrative of how God makes his home. With the outer courts… the land, the inner courts, the garden, and the tree of life as the holy of holies.

Giving God a temporary home among the people because Eden has been lost. And this matters because this text is doing something about both creation and the temple that is also eventually pointing to us at the end as the new temple.

Look at the journey this Biblical narrative takes you on. From the fig tree (creation) to the temple to Jesus’ faith in you.

This matters because the story of the BIBLE goes from God’s temple in EDEN to God’s temple/tabernacle in a dwelling specific place — to YOU being God’s temple.

But that was always part of the plan.

Genesis 1:27–28 “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.””

To be what??? Fruitful.

To do what?? Extend God’s rule and reign.

So this passage in Mark is JESUS lamenting the reality that the TEMPLE is not producing fruit. He comes into his HOLY CITY… the city of ZION… to the TEMPLE. The Eden if you will and finds it is not doing any of what a temple is supposed to be doing.

Is not doing what the temple is supposed to do which is:

-Be a dwelling place for God

-God extends his reign and rule on earth

-Humans are not connecting with and worshipping God.

What is happening instead

Mark 11:15–17 “On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’””

A temple that is not a temple is just another building. Oh actually it’s worse than that.

When you don’t live into your created ability, who you ARE created to be, you actually bring destruction upon yourself.

When the temple is not being a temple, it is cursed instead. And this will matter as we continue to unfold this passage because as HUMANS we also have not lived according to the way God created us and thus are BOUND for DESTRUCTION and CURSE.

And like I said - this sermon is going to flow between

1- Creation as a temple

2- The temple as the temple

3- You, as God’s temple 1 Corinthians 6:19 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”

Ok - this gives us an amazing backdrop for this passage. Let’s dive in again…

Mark 11:12–14 “The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.”

Mark 11:19–21 “When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!””

The poor fig tree caught up in a moment

Mark bookends the fig tree with the temple caught in the middle which is how we know the Fig TREE is a physical parable to a larger story. The fig tree is actually want unlocks this whole passage for us and for his disciples.

It feels like a petty move by Jesus if you don’t understand that Jesus is doing an object lesson with the fig tree.

The fig tree is the imagery of what is at STAKE for not living into the ABILITY to be the temple. Your created purpose.

It says this —- “Jesus was hungry.” But he went to his creation - a tree meant to produce fruit and fill bellies. And yet there was no fruit.

Matthew 25:35–46 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.””

The temple is to feed the souls of nations. To feed the people.

-Spiritually but also provide for the needs of the poor physically

-What’s happening is actually the opposite. — They are robbing the poor.

And you - God’s temple —- when did we see you hungry? When did you come to us as a fig tree and we had nothing for you? When God?

-What you did for the least of these you did for me.

BUT BUT BUT

Mark 11:13 “Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.”

BUT IT’S NOT THE SEASON FOR FRUIT.

For God’s temple, this isn’t an excuse for the temple is to bear fruit in and out of season. At all times and in all places and circumstances.

2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

To take it back to creation — the tree of life — was constantly bearing fruit.

To take it forward to the new creation in glory - Revelation describes the tree as always bearing fruit

Revelation 22:2–3 “down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.”

Speaking of CURSE — thanks for bringing that back to mind Revelation for that’s an important key.

Outside of Jesus - the temple is cursed.

Since curse sometimes has weird boogeyman views in our society maybe its better stated as the temple is BOUND for DESTRUCTION.

The fig tree shows what happens when creation, the temple, and YOU aren’t living into your God-given purpose.

John 15:1–8 ““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

REMAIN in Jesus and he will remain in you. The curse is removed… the bound for destruction is gone when you REMAIN in Jesus.

Why - because through his resources you bear much fruit. You bring life to those around you, others come to you hungry and you help fill their bellies.

But not so the temple when Jesus showed up as the rightful king.

Mark 11:15–18 “On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”

The judgement of the temple

Now Mark 13 and even other Palm Sunday accounts record his prophecy of destruction. This is a precursor to a more specific prediction.

But the flipping of the tables and driving out the moneychangers is a showcase of the temple that is no longer abiding in it’s purpose.

It is not feeding the nations.

People are coming to it hungry but leaving malnourished.

The temple is become a den of robbers.

This verse - Mark 11:17 “And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’””

Is actually a reference to two different prophetic texts.

Isaiah 56:5–8 “to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever. And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign Lord declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.””

Jeremiah 7:1–11 “This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Stand at the gate of the Lord’s house and there proclaim this message: “ ‘Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. “ ‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.”

Do you see what’s happening in these texts and why it’s important? What is the temple supposed to be? And yet what is it. But notice the ownership is still on the people and on the priests. Genesis 1:26-27 —- we are the priests/image bearers extending the rule and reign.

But Jesus knows that it’s not just about creation — the fig tree… or the temple in Jerusalem… but it’s also about his followers. Who become the temple of the living God after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Where Jesus ABIDES or REMAINS in you. Makes his dwelling place among you.

So the passage ends with:

Mark 11:22–25 ““Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.””

The faith of Jesus

If you don’t understand all the backdrop we’ve been discussing in this passage, you will find this rather out of place or maybe even disturbing. The disciples are like —- LOOK THE TREE WITHERED… And Jesus is like- you can have this type of faith. Tell the mountain to throw itself in the sea and it will… Which is also another destruction of the temple moment.

-The temple mount… thrown into the sea (where now we’ve seen pigs full of demons and where people that hurt or mislead children will be thrown)

But the larger point is that Jesus says - my faith can be yours. It’s another abide in me and I’ll abide in you moment.

You now are the temple - you will be my home and I will dwell in you.

You can stand in prayer. You can stand in faith.

My prayer. My faith.

And through that creation will be re-established, the temple will be brought forth.

For the nature of the priests is to be:

-Praying

-Forgiving of sins

So - we have to ask to land this sermon —- Are you being a fruitful temple? Or are you living for your own glory, needs, desires, selfishness? Are you walking your own path and in your own way?

If you answer that you are not walking with God - I have hope for you.

Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.””

***LAND THE PLANE MARK***

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How does the imagery of the fig tree relate to your personal spiritual fruitfulness?

In what ways can we ensure that our lives reflect the purpose of being God's temple?

What does it mean to you that you are part of God's temple and called to bear fruit?

How can we actively participate in extending God's reign and rule in our daily lives?

What is one area in your life that you feel you are not living into your God-given purpose?

What practical steps can you take this week to be more fruitful in your relationships with others?

How can you be a better steward of your resources to help those in need, reflecting the actions of the early church?

What commitments can you make to ensure that your church functions as a house of prayer and a place of nourishment?

In what ways are you currently participating in or contributing to challenges within your community that need addressing?

How can you incorporate the practice of forgiveness into your daily life as instructed in Mark 11:25?