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MARK: Jesus #Unfiltered - Day 58
Immediately after his entry (vv.8-10), Jesus’ first action is to go to the Temple. When he arrives at the Temple it’s late, so Jesus heads to Bethany with the disciples. The very next day, things escalate with Jesus speaking words of judgment against the fig tree and the use of the Temple (the tree is withered when they return later). Whilst at surface level, Jesus’ curse of the fig tree may seem like a bad case of being ‘hangry’ (after all, it was not even the season for figs), Mark is highlighting Jesus’ comparison between the fruitless fig tree and the current state of the Temple as a ‘den of robbers’. Jesus’ curse of the fig tree is a pronouncement of the Temple’s fruitlessness (in the role of Israel) and that ultimately, its days are numbered. It is no longer the ‘house of prayer’ for all nations as was intended.
It’s important to remember that the Temple is the physical centre of the Jewish faith and for Jesus to say these things and perform such acts, points to his own authority and identity AND the failings of Judaism. These are incredibly dramatic scenes that remind us that Jesus was not just a meek teacher that some make him out to be, but a person of real authority who also brings judgment. And thus we begin to see the judgment that Jesus brings upon the unbelieving, and their judgment upon him. As the scene ends (vv.22-26) Jesus tells the disciples that they should have, “faith in God”. As he tells them to ask for anything in prayer and receive, Jesus is not saying that we get anything we want if we believe with sufficient conviction, but that our trust should be expressed in relationship with God. They (and we) should be a people characterised by forgiveness, as Jesus goes to cross to pay the price for theirs. AL
Questions
Prayer
Almighty Lord, thank you that through Jesus you bring mercy and judgment together. We thank you that you long to set the world right, and that through Jesus’ death and resurrection you open up the way to life. Please help us to bring more of our lives into line with your authority. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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By St Bart's ToowoombaImmediately after his entry (vv.8-10), Jesus’ first action is to go to the Temple. When he arrives at the Temple it’s late, so Jesus heads to Bethany with the disciples. The very next day, things escalate with Jesus speaking words of judgment against the fig tree and the use of the Temple (the tree is withered when they return later). Whilst at surface level, Jesus’ curse of the fig tree may seem like a bad case of being ‘hangry’ (after all, it was not even the season for figs), Mark is highlighting Jesus’ comparison between the fruitless fig tree and the current state of the Temple as a ‘den of robbers’. Jesus’ curse of the fig tree is a pronouncement of the Temple’s fruitlessness (in the role of Israel) and that ultimately, its days are numbered. It is no longer the ‘house of prayer’ for all nations as was intended.
It’s important to remember that the Temple is the physical centre of the Jewish faith and for Jesus to say these things and perform such acts, points to his own authority and identity AND the failings of Judaism. These are incredibly dramatic scenes that remind us that Jesus was not just a meek teacher that some make him out to be, but a person of real authority who also brings judgment. And thus we begin to see the judgment that Jesus brings upon the unbelieving, and their judgment upon him. As the scene ends (vv.22-26) Jesus tells the disciples that they should have, “faith in God”. As he tells them to ask for anything in prayer and receive, Jesus is not saying that we get anything we want if we believe with sufficient conviction, but that our trust should be expressed in relationship with God. They (and we) should be a people characterised by forgiveness, as Jesus goes to cross to pay the price for theirs. AL
Questions
Prayer
Almighty Lord, thank you that through Jesus you bring mercy and judgment together. We thank you that you long to set the world right, and that through Jesus’ death and resurrection you open up the way to life. Please help us to bring more of our lives into line with your authority. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.