The CROSSroads: Personal Lessons from Mark's Gospel by Rev. Mitch Schultz

Updated
2001-05-26; 14:34:22utc

Lesson Thirty-five: BARREN WORSHIP (Mark 11:12-19)

"My house will be called a house of prayer!" (vs.17)

At first glance it is hard to see what connection Mark has in mind when he links the story of the cursing of the fig tree with the turning of the tables in the temple. We have become somewhat familiar with Mark's mind by now and have noted that his high speed recording of the life of Christ still result in sequences that do relate to each other. A careful study of the passage reveals that there are two separate narratives that are meant to be read together. We could say that the story of the fig tree serves to illustrate Jesus' reproach for the selling and trading that was taken place in what was meant to be a place of worship - the temple. Let's follow along this exciting journey again that takes us from Bethany to Jerusalem.

The previous day was a dramatic one for Christ and the disciples. He has been honored as a King but instead of vanquishing the enemy right then and there he strolls to the temple and there the curtain is lowered and the scene closes. The last words of that story are revealing and set the stage for what we are looking at now. In verse 11 Jesus looks around the temple "at everything", Mark tells us. What he saw as he looked at everything was disturbing to Christ, for that is where he observes and begins to react to the activities of selling and trading in God's house. He does nothing about it then but with his disciples moves out of the city for Bethany, the home of his friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

We can assume that the events of the previous day (primarily what he had observed in the temple) have left our Lord with a heavy heart. Thus, as they proceed back to Jerusalem, Jesus has not eaten (perhaps because of the heaviness of his heart) and when he approaches a fig tree for some relief he finds it barren instead. It is again the mood of the moment that shapes his response to this and Jesus curses the fig tree destining it to never produce again. The fact that it was "not the season for figs" (vs.13) reinforces our suspicions that Jesus permits all this to take place to make a point. He is wanting to illustrate something and that leads us to what transpires afterwards in the temple.

The scene that awaits Jesus at the temple is not as dissimilar from the fig tree as we might think. In both cases the subject of Jesus' anger did not function, or produce, as God had originally designed it. A fig tree was created by God to produce fruit and give pleasure to the hungry person who chose its product. The temple was meant to be place of worship and praise and was designed to give God pleasure. When Jesus arrives at the temple, he finds the activities that took place there of commerce and trade to be a far cry from what God meant for it. Consequently God can receive nothing from it. The area of the temple mentioned here was the court of the Gentiles. From the very beginning this court was meant to be a place where Gentiles could come and worship the God of Israel. It was intended to be a place for worship and praise for all people. "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations" (vs.17). Like the fig tree this place which was meant to produce the fruit of worship and praise is barren. Rather than being a quite place of reflection and worship the site is full of activity. To assist those in Jerusalem for the Passover this area became a market place for selling animals for sacrifice and trading money into the local currency. This was a departure from what God ever meant the outer court of the temple to be. Intended to bring God pleasure this place has instead become a "den of robbers". (vs.17) The once fruitful temple has become barren.

It is sometime later that Jesus does put a curse of sorts on the temple similar to what he does to the fig tree. He prophesies in Mark 13:2 that the temple would soon become completely desolate. Speaking to his disciples who have just commented on the beauty of the temple Jesus says this; "Do you see all these great buildings?... Not one stone here will be left on another; everything will be thrown down."

It would be easier here in seeking for an application to point an accusing finger at the commercialization that has taken place in our churches. It does seem at times that the church, meant to be a quiet place of worship and praise, has instead become a busy market place for new methods and programs. Looking at the church today I get this vague unease that this isn't exactly what God meant for the church. Visiting some Churches I even wonder sometimes if God gets any enjoyment out of them. Lets allow that finger to point beyond the Church for just a moment until it pricks our own hearts. Is it not there where the problem lies?

As Jesus walks down the corridor of your heart toward that sacred inner sanctuary of worship what will he find waiting when he arrives there? Will it be a place of quiet holy worship? Does God receive the fruit of your praise and worship? Is that place reserved solely for God? I suspect that as Jesus approaches that place intended for worship and praise he finds a cluttered room. He hears the racket of a heart full of activities and distractions. What tables need to be turned in your life for God to receive the fruit of your worship and praise? Read prayerfully the following verse that I believe the Holy Spirit will use to restore a holy quite to your prayer life. As you consider them allow God by his Holy Spirit to root out all that does not belong so that he can plant this word deep into the soil of your heart.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jer. 17:8

"Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him; Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips." Hos.14:2

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Heb. 13:15,16