House Cleaning, 14 March 2021
House Cleaning
Series—Mark: The Real Jesus
Mark 11:12-26
Series Big Idea: Mark’s gospel is the most concise biography of Jesus.
Big Idea: Contrary to popular opinion, Jesus wasn’t always “nice,” but he never sinned.
When you think of Jesus, what comes to mind? What does he look like? What kind of voice does he have? How would you describe his personality?
For two thousand years, peoples from various cultures and civilizations have depicted him a number of ways.
As a boy, I always envisioned Jesus as being nice. Would he kill a mosquito? Raise his voice? Get angry? Criticize someone? Of course not! He’s nice Jesus…or is he?
We are told in scripture that Jesus—our perfect example of what it means to be human—never sinned. This is more than a trivial point since only a perfect sacrifice could pay the price for our sins, our failures, our offenses.
Paul wrote,
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Peter, referencing Isaiah 53:9, said,
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” (1 Peter 2:22)
John affirms this truth:
But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. (1 John 3:5)
Before we look at today’s text as we continue our study of the book of Mark, it’s essential for us to see Jesus as perfect, as committing no sin. Jesus and his disciples were in Bethany, just outside Jerusalem. If you’re really observant, you may have noticed we skipped the beginning of Mark chapter eleven, the account of Palm Sunday which we’ll cover on Palm Sunday in two weeks.
The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. (Mark 11:12)
This is a reasonable situation. We’ve all been hungry. Jesus knows hunger, too.
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. (Mark 11:13)
Jesus, you don’t pick apples in March. You don’t pick pumpkins in December. You don’t pick figs in April when the fruit doesn’t arrive until May.
Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. (Mark 11:14)
That’s not a “nice” thing to say to a tree! Is it the tree’s fault that Jesus wanted figs out of season? Remember, Jesus never sinned, yet this is a moment of conflict, perhaps of anger. This is not something Mr. Rogers would ever do!
But to truly understand the account, we need to back up. Why would Mark begin this text telling us about a fig tree? In the Old Testament, a fig tree was sometimes used as a symbol for the nation of Israel. This is essentially a parable. The tree looked alive, but it was barren. Israel and its religious leaders similarly looked good on the outside, yet they were corrupt, they lacked faith, and they produced no good fruit for God. Like modern Christians who have Bible knowledge but demonstrate no love toward others, they are spiritually barren. Jesus confronts loveless religion…and he will pay a dear price for it.
We’ll come back to the fig tree in a moment.
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, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. (Mark 11:15-16)
This is definitely not a nice thing to do! He is full-blown furious…but why? Does he feel personally violated? Is he protecting his own selfish interests? Is he offended for his own sake?
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.’” (Mark 11:17)
Jesus’ concern is for his Father’s glory, his Father’s house. We were made by God, for God, and for God's glory. That's the bottom line of our mission statement and it's the bottom line of life as a follower of Jesus—God's glory. Jesus says in the book of John,
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. (John 5:30)
He repeats the thought in the very next chapter.
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (John 6:38)
In the book of John, this phrase “who sent me” is spoken by Jesus 23 times! He was on a mission from God, literally, even as Jesus himself is God, one third of what we call the Trinity, one God in three Persons.
It’s one thing to be angry when someone offends us, but it’s something else entirely when we are looking out for the best interest of others. We should be angry about sex trafficking. We should be angry about racism. We should be angry about injustice, murder, child abuse, domestic violence, and other evils that plague our world.
Jesus was not always nice. The temple which was constructed for the worship of God had become something of a shopping mall for people to sell overpriced animals for religious sacrifices. The Passover was big business for these merchants…and we all know what happens to people when they lose their jobs. It’s not a pretty picture.
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.’” (Mark 11:17)
Jesus is quoting Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11. Instead of making room for non-Jews (who were not allowed in the central sanctuary) to pray and worship God, it became a market for greedy merchants. Religion became big business.
Once again, the response of the religious leaders is the opposite of the crowd.
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. (Mark 11:18)
The people love Jesus, while the insecure chief priests and teachers of the law are threatened by his popularity…so much so that they plot to kill him! That’s radical envy and jealousy!
Holy Week is right around the corner for us this year. We’ll gather here on Good Friday with The Tabernacle at 6 PM and remember the end result of these religious leaders and their quest to kill Jesus.
What have learned so far? Jesus confronts loveless religion. He is willing to confront injustice. His agenda is not his will, but the will of the Father. He is not always nice, but always right…always righteous. After all, why would someone want to kill a person who is merely “nice?”
Listen to the words of N.T. Wright:
The purpose of the Temple was to be the place of sacrifice. Hour by hour worshippers came to the Temple, changed money into the official coinage, bought animals that were guaranteed perfect for sacrifice (if you brought an animal from some distance, there was a good chance it might be attacked on the way and so no longer be a perfect specimen, able to be sacrificed), and brought them to the priests who completed the killing and offering. The sacrificial system, and with it the reason for the Temple’s existence, depended on money-changing and animal purchase. By stopping the entire process, even just for a short but deeply symbolic moment, Jesus was saying, more powerfully than any words could express: the Temple is under God’s judgment. Its reason for existing is being taken away.
The Temple was the most epic of all places in the Jewish world. It was where God resided, in the Holy of Holies behind a curtain. It was sacred space, yet it had become contaminated by people lusting after money and power.
N.T. Wright adds,
The sacrificial system was therefore doubly redundant. It was part of the Temple system which had come to stand for the wrong things; it was part of the signpost system set up by God to draw the eye to the climactic achievement of Jesus himself on the cross.
But our story is not over.
When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. (Mark 11:19)
Thus ends their day!
In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. (Mark 11:20)
The tree was not withered the day before. It was merely out of season for fruit.
Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” (Mark 11:21)
Why did it wither? It’s a reminder of God’s judgment on Israel (Isaiah 34:4; Joel 1:7-12; Amos 4:9). It’s a picture of what happens when people lose their faith in God, putting it, instead, in money and power.
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. (Mark 11:22)
The object of our faith must never be money or power, religion or politics, people or possessions. Our faith must be in God and God alone.
“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. (Mark 11:23)
We’ve been given power and authority as followers of Jesus. This does not mean God is a genie in a bottle who will grant us our every wish. It does not mean if we have enough faith we’ll be rich and happy. Rather, Jesus is stating the power of prayer when we seek first His Kingdom, not our own. When we set aside our agendas and pursue God’s will, we can be confident it will be done.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)
Some faith healers and prosperity gospel preachers have taken this verse out of context. Jesus has just confronted the sin of religion…in a not-so-nice way. Like the prophets of old, he is announcing God’s judgment upon those who have lost their first love and corrupted the entire Jewish faith.
Prayer is powerful when we pray according to God’s will. Faith in Jesus is greater than any religious structure, nation, or temple. But we need more than faith. We need to forgive.
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)
As Tony Evans notes, “Unrepentant sin blocks God’s power.” We all sin. It’s what we do with our sin that matters. Are we proud of our sins? Do we rationalize away our failures? Do we hold grudges against others?
There’s one additional verse found in some ancient manuscripts and absent in others. This is one of a small number of differences which are notable and yet insignificant to the message of the text. The New King James Version includes verse 26.
But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:26, NKJV)
So What?
I’ve been accused of being too nice. I know that sounds like one of those strengths disguised as a weakness, but there are times when we must confront others…in love. Love is not always nice. One thing I used to tell my kids when I disciplined them is, “I love you too much to let you get away with this behavior.” Their actions were harmful to themselves and/or others.
In a similar way, God disciplines us because He loves us. He cannot tolerate sin. He would bring judgment upon the Jews for their idolatry and abandonment of the true purpose of the Temple. As I said last month, it all goes back to the first two commandments in Exodus 20: no other gods and no idols. Yet it’s so easy to get distracted by our culture. We’ve seen in recent days so-called Christians embracing nationalism, misogyny, partisan politics, and sexism while covering up racism, abuse, and immorality.
This past week I heard two different authors talk about how Christians have used Jesus' anger in the Temple to justify their outlandish behavior on social media. May it never be! The scene may have been part of God's sovereign plan leading to the crucifixion. Remember, Jesus never sinned. His anger was righteous and selfless. He forgave the very people he confronted. He was not defending an ideology, political party, or politician, but rather the heart of God. We are to speak up for those who have no voice, but demanding our rights is not how we love our neighbor well…or how we love God well.
At the dawn of the Christian Church in Acts 2:42,
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
That’s a picture of the Kingdom of God. It’s radical. It’s counter-cultural. It’s selfless and others-centered…God-centered. It welcomes everyone. It’s all about Jesus.
It’s Jesus we’re studying throughout this series. He wasn’t always nice, but he always loved well. He lived a perfect life and never sinned.
It’s Jesus we worship, both for who he is and for what he has done for us by being the perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God who takes away our sins, offering forgiveness to anyone who repents and follows him.
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.
Series—Mark: The Real Jesus
Mark 11:12-26
Series Big Idea: Mark’s gospel is the most concise biography of Jesus.
Big Idea: Contrary to popular opinion, Jesus wasn’t always “nice,” but he never sinned.
When you think of Jesus, what comes to mind? What does he look like? What kind of voice does he have? How would you describe his personality?
For two thousand years, peoples from various cultures and civilizations have depicted him a number of ways.
As a boy, I always envisioned Jesus as being nice. Would he kill a mosquito? Raise his voice? Get angry? Criticize someone? Of course not! He’s nice Jesus…or is he?
We are told in scripture that Jesus—our perfect example of what it means to be human—never sinned. This is more than a trivial point since only a perfect sacrifice could pay the price for our sins, our failures, our offenses.
Paul wrote,
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Peter, referencing Isaiah 53:9, said,
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” (1 Peter 2:22)
John affirms this truth:
But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. (1 John 3:5)
Before we look at today’s text as we continue our study of the book of Mark, it’s essential for us to see Jesus as perfect, as committing no sin. Jesus and his disciples were in Bethany, just outside Jerusalem. If you’re really observant, you may have noticed we skipped the beginning of Mark chapter eleven, the account of Palm Sunday which we’ll cover on Palm Sunday in two weeks.
The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. (Mark 11:12)
This is a reasonable situation. We’ve all been hungry. Jesus knows hunger, too.
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. (Mark 11:13)
Jesus, you don’t pick apples in March. You don’t pick pumpkins in December. You don’t pick figs in April when the fruit doesn’t arrive until May.
Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. (Mark 11:14)
That’s not a “nice” thing to say to a tree! Is it the tree’s fault that Jesus wanted figs out of season? Remember, Jesus never sinned, yet this is a moment of conflict, perhaps of anger. This is not something Mr. Rogers would ever do!
But to truly understand the account, we need to back up. Why would Mark begin this text telling us about a fig tree? In the Old Testament, a fig tree was sometimes used as a symbol for the nation of Israel. This is essentially a parable. The tree looked alive, but it was barren. Israel and its religious leaders similarly looked good on the outside, yet they were corrupt, they lacked faith, and they produced no good fruit for God. Like modern Christians who have Bible knowledge but demonstrate no love toward others, they are spiritually barren. Jesus confronts loveless religion…and he will pay a dear price for it.
We’ll come back to the fig tree in a moment.
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, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. (Mark 11:15-16)
This is definitely not a nice thing to do! He is full-blown furious…but why? Does he feel personally violated? Is he protecting his own selfish interests? Is he offended for his own sake?
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.’” (Mark 11:17)
Jesus’ concern is for his Father’s glory, his Father’s house. We were made by God, for God, and for God's glory. That's the bottom line of our mission statement and it's the bottom line of life as a follower of Jesus—God's glory. Jesus says in the book of John,
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. (John 5:30)
He repeats the thought in the very next chapter.
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (John 6:38)
In the book of John, this phrase “who sent me” is spoken by Jesus 23 times! He was on a mission from God, literally, even as Jesus himself is God, one third of what we call the Trinity, one God in three Persons.
It’s one thing to be angry when someone offends us, but it’s something else entirely when we are looking out for the best interest of others. We should be angry about sex trafficking. We should be angry about racism. We should be angry about injustice, murder, child abuse, domestic violence, and other evils that plague our world.
Jesus was not always nice. The temple which was constructed for the worship of God had become something of a shopping mall for people to sell overpriced animals for religious sacrifices. The Passover was big business for these merchants…and we all know what happens to people when they lose their jobs. It’s not a pretty picture.
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.’” (Mark 11:17)
Jesus is quoting Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11. Instead of making room for non-Jews (who were not allowed in the central sanctuary) to pray and worship God, it became a market for greedy merchants. Religion became big business.
Once again, the response of the religious leaders is the opposite of the crowd.
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. (Mark 11:18)
The people love Jesus, while the insecure chief priests and teachers of the law are threatened by his popularity…so much so that they plot to kill him! That’s radical envy and jealousy!
Holy Week is right around the corner for us this year. We’ll gather here on Good Friday with The Tabernacle at 6 PM and remember the end result of these religious leaders and their quest to kill Jesus.
What have learned so far? Jesus confronts loveless religion. He is willing to confront injustice. His agenda is not his will, but the will of the Father. He is not always nice, but always right…always righteous. After all, why would someone want to kill a person who is merely “nice?”
Listen to the words of N.T. Wright:
The purpose of the Temple was to be the place of sacrifice. Hour by hour worshippers came to the Temple, changed money into the official coinage, bought animals that were guaranteed perfect for sacrifice (if you brought an animal from some distance, there was a good chance it might be attacked on the way and so no longer be a perfect specimen, able to be sacrificed), and brought them to the priests who completed the killing and offering. The sacrificial system, and with it the reason for the Temple’s existence, depended on money-changing and animal purchase. By stopping the entire process, even just for a short but deeply symbolic moment, Jesus was saying, more powerfully than any words could express: the Temple is under God’s judgment. Its reason for existing is being taken away.
The Temple was the most epic of all places in the Jewish world. It was where God resided, in the Holy of Holies behind a curtain. It was sacred space, yet it had become contaminated by people lusting after money and power.
N.T. Wright adds,
The sacrificial system was therefore doubly redundant. It was part of the Temple system which had come to stand for the wrong things; it was part of the signpost system set up by God to draw the eye to the climactic achievement of Jesus himself on the cross.
But our story is not over.
When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. (Mark 11:19)
Thus ends their day!
In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. (Mark 11:20)
The tree was not withered the day before. It was merely out of season for fruit.
Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” (Mark 11:21)
Why did it wither? It’s a reminder of God’s judgment on Israel (Isaiah 34:4; Joel 1:7-12; Amos 4:9). It’s a picture of what happens when people lose their faith in God, putting it, instead, in money and power.
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. (Mark 11:22)
The object of our faith must never be money or power, religion or politics, people or possessions. Our faith must be in God and God alone.
“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. (Mark 11:23)
We’ve been given power and authority as followers of Jesus. This does not mean God is a genie in a bottle who will grant us our every wish. It does not mean if we have enough faith we’ll be rich and happy. Rather, Jesus is stating the power of prayer when we seek first His Kingdom, not our own. When we set aside our agendas and pursue God’s will, we can be confident it will be done.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)
Some faith healers and prosperity gospel preachers have taken this verse out of context. Jesus has just confronted the sin of religion…in a not-so-nice way. Like the prophets of old, he is announcing God’s judgment upon those who have lost their first love and corrupted the entire Jewish faith.
Prayer is powerful when we pray according to God’s will. Faith in Jesus is greater than any religious structure, nation, or temple. But we need more than faith. We need to forgive.
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)
As Tony Evans notes, “Unrepentant sin blocks God’s power.” We all sin. It’s what we do with our sin that matters. Are we proud of our sins? Do we rationalize away our failures? Do we hold grudges against others?
There’s one additional verse found in some ancient manuscripts and absent in others. This is one of a small number of differences which are notable and yet insignificant to the message of the text. The New King James Version includes verse 26.
But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:26, NKJV)
So What?
I’ve been accused of being too nice. I know that sounds like one of those strengths disguised as a weakness, but there are times when we must confront others…in love. Love is not always nice. One thing I used to tell my kids when I disciplined them is, “I love you too much to let you get away with this behavior.” Their actions were harmful to themselves and/or others.
In a similar way, God disciplines us because He loves us. He cannot tolerate sin. He would bring judgment upon the Jews for their idolatry and abandonment of the true purpose of the Temple. As I said last month, it all goes back to the first two commandments in Exodus 20: no other gods and no idols. Yet it’s so easy to get distracted by our culture. We’ve seen in recent days so-called Christians embracing nationalism, misogyny, partisan politics, and sexism while covering up racism, abuse, and immorality.
This past week I heard two different authors talk about how Christians have used Jesus' anger in the Temple to justify their outlandish behavior on social media. May it never be! The scene may have been part of God's sovereign plan leading to the crucifixion. Remember, Jesus never sinned. His anger was righteous and selfless. He forgave the very people he confronted. He was not defending an ideology, political party, or politician, but rather the heart of God. We are to speak up for those who have no voice, but demanding our rights is not how we love our neighbor well…or how we love God well.
At the dawn of the Christian Church in Acts 2:42,
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
That’s a picture of the Kingdom of God. It’s radical. It’s counter-cultural. It’s selfless and others-centered…God-centered. It welcomes everyone. It’s all about Jesus.
It’s Jesus we’re studying throughout this series. He wasn’t always nice, but he always loved well. He lived a perfect life and never sinned.
It’s Jesus we worship, both for who he is and for what he has done for us by being the perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God who takes away our sins, offering forgiveness to anyone who repents and follows him.
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.