Day Three Mark 11:12-19
12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.
15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”
18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.
19 That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city.
Discover
1. Why is Jesus angry with both the fig tree and the people in the Temple?
2. Why are the priests conflicted according to verse 18?
3. Contrast Jesus and the religious leaders. Whose reputation is each concerned with?
Respond
In each of these stories, Jesus is angry with what we see to be empty righteousness. The fig tree’s leaves indicate it should possess fruit, but it doesn’t. The Temple should be a place of worship and prayer, but it isn’t. What makes you angry? As beings who bear the image of God, there are things that should make us angry. Next time you find yourself angry about something, ask why. Is it something that would make God angry? Pray and ask God to daily make your heart more in line with His.
For Further Reading: Anger Is a Calling by Paul Tripp
*TPCC does not necessarily endorse all For Further Reading/Learning sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.