Today’s passage: Mark 11:12-33
Helpful thoughts:
- Two accounts are told in conjunction with each other in today’s passage. This suggests there is a connection between them
- The cursing of the fig tree:
- In the Old Testament, the fig tree was used as a metaphor for Israel (Jeremiah 8:13).
- When the fig tree’s leaves come, it has the appearance of bearing fruit. But no fruit was found.
- The cleansing of the Temple and Jewish leaders’ response:
- The Temple was called a house of prayer for the nations in Isaiah 56:7.
- Because of the hypocrisy and greed of the leadership, the Temple had an appearance of godliness but it was not bearing fruit in keeping with repentance.
- The cursing of the fig tree:
- The “moving of a mountain” was used as a metaphor in that culture. Jesus was not challenging them to move literal mountains, but encouraging them to ask for what they would consider to be impossible.
- Jesus responded to the religious leaders’ “gotcha” question with a question of his own. All of the religious leaders’ cleverness and safety in numbers could never had stood a chance against God and the truth.
Questions to consider:
- What are the “leaves” of apparent godliness in our day and age (Or, in our church background)? Meaning, are there some ways a person could be part of our church and appear godly without others ever knowing if they truly love the Lord? How do we grow in sincerely encouraging one another in fruitfulness?
- How does verse 25 (Along with James 4:3 and 1 John 5:14) help us as we think about our heart’s motives in prayer? What are the kinds of mountains which God would delight to move in response to our prayers? What should our heart be toward others and toward the Lord when we pray?
- What can we learn from Jesus’ response in verses 27-33? What were the religious leaders really living for? Why did they fear to answer Jesus’ question? How does the fear of the Lord and confidence in the truth repel the fear of man?