Righteous anger over hindering worship
Gospel of Mark: Jesus a life to serve • Sermon • Submitted
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· 15 viewsCursing and cleansing, serious business to be taken seriously
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Are you hungry?
Are you hungry?
(insert Breakfast food picture)
When you think about being hungry what do you think of? There is physical hunger but there is also spiritual hunger. Did you come today expecting to be fed? May we come to our passage today with open hearts, open bibles and a desire to be fed from God’s Word.
Passion week has begun
Entrance fit for a king (MK11:1-10)
A quick look (Mk11:11)
Monday: Return to the Jerusalem/Temple (Mk11:11-18)
We come to our passage today and there are two stories, but are they related? May we look, may we see, may we glean from the scripture.
The cursing of the fig tree (Mk11:12-14)
The cleansing of the temple (Mk11:15-18)
May we take a few minutes and look at the narrative and makes some observations along the way.
Cursing of the fig tree
Cursing of the fig tree
In something that seems out of nature of himself Christ curses a fig tree, but what is it about, why? What does this have to do with His passion? What does this have to do with the cleansing of the temple?
12 On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. 13 Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
14 They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
What day of the week is it? How do you know?
We know it is Monday for He came into Jerusalem (Mk11:11) and it is now the next day.
He arrived in Bethany on Saturday, and that evening there was a banquet for him (Jn12:1-2; not on screen, look it up) from there He went onto Jerusalem; after sunset which would be Sunday (Mk11:1-11)- just something to think about, to consider.
What is Jesus at the time?
Jesus is hungry
What does He see? what was His hope?
HE sees a fig tree in distance, His hope was that it would have fruit?
Why did He curse the tree?
There was no fruit, but wait there is more to get from it, what else do you see? (it was not the time for figs)
There is much more behind all this, but we will get to that shortly.
One last thing to notice, who heard him curse the tree? - the apostles
Observations about the cursing of the fig tree
In the region of Palestine Fig trees would produce a small edible bud (fruit in March, then would come the large green leaves and you would know fruit is coming and that is in April according to Bible Knowledge Commentary.
This small edible bud was normally consumed by the local peasants and the owners would wait until the fruit comes in April.
Things are not always as it seems, there were the green leafs but there was not fruit, from the distance things looked good, but upon close inspection there was no fruit.
The tree had appearance of offering edible food, but did not. Now Mark has been talking about the kingdom, talking about greatest and now we are here, and when we link to the next section maybe you can see more than Jesus cursing a fig tree.
The New International Biblical Commentary says “the incident of the fig tree both interprets the cleansing of the temple and is interpreted by the latter incident.
Just a couple more thoughts on this.
Jesus was disappointed with the fig tree, and he was disappointed with Israel, Jerusalem and the temple (also from NIBC)
this act by Jesus is a prophetic act not a simple rash act of anger, nor is the cleansing of the temple as you will see. This was being done all for the benefit of the apostles and for the people too.
One more point, a couple of scriptures to bring in, is this the fulfillment of (Jer8:13; Mic7:1)?
13 “I will surely snatch them away,” declares the Lord; “There will be no grapes on the vine And no figs on the fig tree, And the leaf will wither; And what I have given them will pass away.” ’ ”
Like the fig tree had everything to flourish, so had Israel, God, the Law, the Word and yet it did not flourish did it? They were blessed beyond measure but did not live up to their potential.
Now look at this other passage
1 Woe is me! For I am Like the fruit pickers, like the grape gatherers. There is not a cluster of grapes to eat, Or a first-ripe fig which I crave.
The Lord, like Micah wanted the first fruit, the buds and there was none. There was every reason there should have been physically and can be applied spiritually too, but it did no bear fruit.
Cleansing of the temple
Cleansing of the temple
Cleansing of the temple
Cleansing of the temple
A sad sight and righteous anger are what we see in this next section. I think you will find it is more than meets the “eyes.”
15 Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16 and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple.
17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” 18 The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.
Mk11:
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
I think we need to look at the narrative then look behind it to see what observations and application we can get from it.
Where are they in (v.15) and who is the “they”?
The apostles came into Jerusalem and the temple with Jesus (have to look back at the they (v.11)
What did Jesus do (v.15-16)?
Drive out buyers and sellers, overturned tables
Did not permit anyone to carry merchandise through temple
What did Jesus do in (v.17)?
Teach, Jesus never missed a teaching moment, opportunity for they were getting very close to the cross now and He still has much to convey
Jesus refers to Old Testament this house is to be a house for all people (1Kng8:41-43; Isa56:7)
41 “Also concerning the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel, when he comes from a far country for Your name’s sake 42 (for they will hear of Your great name and Your mighty hand, and of Your outstretched arm); when he comes and prays toward this house,
1King8:41-42
43 hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, to fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name.
and then look at what Isaiah had to say
7 Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”
Who heard, who noticed, what did they want to do (v.18)?
The chief priests and scribes and they were looking how to destroy Him
Notice, they were afraid because of the crowd who were astonished.
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Some observations about the cleansing
The place - court of the Gentiles
Conducting business fulfilled prophesy, hindered worship (Jer7:11)
Is this second time cleansing temple? - check out (Jn2:13-17)
The Lord’s righteous anger (Mk11:15; Mk3:5; Mt23:13-36)
Some other examples of righteous anger described (Rom2:4-6; 2The1:7-9)
Jesus reaction was not personal for he handled personal affronts different (1Pt2:23; Isa53:7)
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Some observations about the cleansing
The place - court of the Gentiles
(Court of the Gentiles picture)
Gentiles were only allowed in so far to the temple court, any further could result in death. But why do you think they were there in the first place? (WORSHIP)
Is this second time cleansing temple? - check out (Jn2:13-17)
The Lord’s righteous anger (Mk11:15; Mk3:5; Mt23:13-36)
Some other examples of righteous anger described (Rom2:4-6; 2The1:7-9)
Jesus reaction was not personal for he handled personal affronts different (1Pt2:23; Isa53:7)
The place - court of the Gentiles
Conducting business fulfilled prophesy, hindered worship (Jer7:11)
Tables were set up for the pilgrims (Jewish pilgrims) who travelled in to exchange money to temple currency, buy animals etc for sacrifices (expand on this)
The Lord’s righteous anger (Mk11:15; Mk3:5; Mt23:13-36)
Some other examples of righteous anger described (Rom2:4-6; 2The1:7-9)
Jesus reaction was not personal for he handled personal affronts different (1Pt2:23; Isa53:7)
11 “Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” declares the Lord.
Tables were set up for the pilgrims (Jewish pilgrims) who travelled in to exchange money to temple currency, buy animals etc for sacrifices (expand on this)
What was being hindered because of the business being conducted?
The place - court of the Gentiles
The place - court of the Gentiles
Conducting business fulfilled prophesy, hindered worship (Jer7:11)
Is this second time cleansing temple? - check out (Jn2:13-17)
Some commentators believe there is only one cleansing of the temple, just different placement in the gospels, but look at this passage and you can decide, for either way it does not change the facts.
13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.
15 And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.”
17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house will consume me.”
With Jesus zeal for His Fathers house, it would not be surprising that He did this type of cleansing twice at all.
Some observations about the cleansing
The place - court of the Gentiles
Conducting business fulfilled prophesy, hindered worship (Jer7:11)
Is this second time cleansing temple? - check out (Jn2:13-17)
The Lord’s righteous anger (Mk11:15; Mk3:5; Mt23:13-36)
Look at some other examples of the Lord’s righteous anger
Some other examples of righteous anger described (Rom2:4-6; 2The1:7-9)
Jesus reaction was not personal for he handled personal affronts different (1Pt2:23; Isa53:7)
5 After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
Some other examples of righteous anger described (Rom2:4-6; 2The1:7-9)
And then there is the example in Mt23:13-36; too long to read so you can do that on your own, but in summary of it:
Jesus reaction was not personal for he handled personal affronts different (1Pt2:23; Isa53:7)
This is the 8 woe’s against the scribes, pharisees, the hypocrites.
keeping people out of the kingdom of God (v.13)
By taking advantage of people that should be helping (v.14)
Swearing on the items in the temple vs. the temple itself (vv.17-22)
By majoring in the minors and over looking the major things like justice, mercy and faithfulness (vv.23-24)
By being like whitewashed tombs, look good out the outside, but rotten on the inside (v.27)
Some observations about the cleansing
The place - court of the Gentiles
Conducting business fulfilled prophesy, hindered worship (Jer7:11)
Is this second time cleansing temple? - check out (Jn2:13-17)
The Lord’s righteous anger (Mk11:15; Mk3:5; Mt23:13-36)
Some other examples of righteous anger described (Rom2:4-6; 2The1:7-9)
4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Jesus reaction was not personal for he handled personal affronts different (1Pt2:23; Isa53:7)
6 who will render to each person according to his deeds:
Now add to that
7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
Some observations about the cleansing
The place - court of the Gentiles
Conducting business fulfilled prophesy, hindered worship (Jer7:11)
Is this second time cleansing temple? - check out (Jn2:13-17)
The Lord’s righteous anger (Mk11:15; Mk3:5; Mt23:13-36)
Some other examples of righteous anger described (Rom2:4-6; 2The1:7-9)
Jesus reaction was not personal for he handled personal affronts different (1Pt2:23; Isa53:7)
Jesus was not personally affronted when it came to the things, look at His meekness displayed, described in the scripture
23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
and then there is
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.
But when it came to His Fathers house, He came with righteous anger in defense of the Fathers honor. May we not be so worried about defending ourselves but be willing to stand up for the Truth!
what we have seen is the cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple were prophetic signs of what was going to happen in AD70 when judgment was going to be delved out beyond what Jesus just did. but here is scripture to back that up.
1 As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.”