Mark 11:11-26, A Curse and a Cleansing
There’s an old hymn written in 1865 entitled “Jesus, Meek and Gentle,” that calls on the compassion and tenderness of Christ to hear our cry, draw us to himself, and lead us on our way. The lyrics are meaningful, the music is soothing, and yet I really hope we aren’t singing it this morning!
Our image of Jesus is often based on the things happening in life and the needs we have in the moment. Oh so often, those needs include prayers of rescue and deliverance, pleas brought on by pain and grief, and the hopeful cries of help in any number of situations. In those times, we might rightly feel the need for a Jesus who is gentle and restrained in how he deals with us. We need his mercy and his tender touch or else we might just shatter under the weight of it all.
This morning’s sermon, however, shows us something else that is equally true about Jesus. He is both tender and tough. He is both restrained and zealous. He is both our defender and our judge.
Our study comes from Mark 11:11-26, in which Jesus curses a fig tree on the way into the Jerusalem Temple and then begins driving out the money changers and the merchants in the Temple courts. It’s such an odd sight at first, but when we consider God’s expectations of righteousness that leads to growth and fruit in his kingdom, we begin to understand why Jesus taught a powerful lesson through his actions that day. We cannot afford to be examined by the Almighty and found barren. God created us to receive love and give love in ways that are fruitful in his good kingdom. If we aren’t making a difference, we’re just taking up space, and God wants so much more for us than that.
Mark 11:11-26, A Curse and a Cleansing
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