Adam, Zac, Hayley, Jessica, Cassidy, Micah, Megan & Kati,

The Barren Temple

(11:1-25)

Jesus Enters Jerusalem

Though this scene is called the “triumphal entry” in the other gospels, here it ends anti-climactically with no reception at the temple and Jesus, after looking around at everything, returning to Bethany. Jesus is fulfilling Messianic prophesy here, but Mark presents it much more subtly than the other gospels and is probably emphasizing the crowds confusion and lack of alignment with Jesus regarding His purpose to come and suffer. The “coming kingdom of our father David” is not as much about Jesus being the Messianic “son of David” as it is about Him ushering in a repeat of the Davidic Kingdom.

The Barren Temple

This is best understood as another sandwich, with the fig tree on both sides and the pronouncement against the temple in the center. Tradition calls it the “cleansing” of the temple, but the temple is actually not cleansed, purified or restored by Jesus. He may have temporarily disturbed the temple commerce, but as He left, it surely went back to the way it was before. Rather, He is pronouncing God’s judgment on the temple, which He will replace with Himself (“I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands” Mark 14:58, “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” Mark 15:38).

The fig tree that had no fruit and “withered from the roots” reminds us of the rocky soil: “the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation of persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away”. So it is with the crowds of the triumphal entry and all the throngs who heard Jesus gladly – they all fade away quickly.

The lesson on faith, prayer and forgiveness seem a little out of place, but Mark had just presented Bartimaeus and his faith and the crowds’ lack of saving faith and it is prayer-with-faith that will carry the disciples through the coming whirlwind (“could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38)

Dear Jesus, thank You for Your grace toward us in our weak faith. Teach us to pray – with faith and forgiveness – that we might not fall into temptation. May our roots go deep, may we pay attention to what has been given us, so we can survive and even thrive in persecution.

-- peter