Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Cleansing the Temple

Bryan Schneider · August 26, 2023

Mark 11:12-26

sharonrpc.org/sermons/cleansing-the-temple

Summary

Mark places the cursing and withering of the fig tree around the cleansing of the temple so that each scene interprets the others.
The leafy but fruitless fig tree portrays Israel's temple worship: outwardly impressive, yet barren of the faith, prayer, holiness, and mercy God required.
Temple commerce exploited worshipers, including the poor, and crowded the court intended to be a house of prayer for all nations.
Jesus' anger is a holy response to corruption; he overturns the tables, stops the traffic, and condemns those who have made God's house a den of thieves.
The religious leaders respond to rebuke by seeking Jesus' destruction because they fear losing their influence over an astonished crowd.
Jesus' teaching about faith and prayer does not promise every private wish, but calls believers to ask according to God's will.
God's forgiveness in Christ is a greater work than moving a mountain, and forgiven people are called to forgive others rather than cherish bitterness.
The passage calls for living faith in Christ rather than confidence in religious appearances, buildings, or formulas.

Why does Mark surround the temple cleansing with the two parts of the fig-tree account?
What did the leafy but fruitless fig tree reveal about the temple's spiritual condition?
How did the temple commerce hinder worship and exploit poor people?
Why was Jesus right to be angry and act forcefully in the temple?
What does the leaders' plot against Jesus reveal about their response to correction?
Why cannot Mark 11:22-24 be reduced to a promise of health, wealth, or any desired outcome?
How are faith, prayer, receiving forgiveness, and forgiving others joined in Jesus' teaching?
Where are you tempted to trust outward religious forms instead of Christ himself?

Fig-tree judgment: Jesus' prophetic sign against a leafy tree without fruit, interpreting the temple's impressive appearance and spiritual barrenness.
Temple cleansing: Jesus' authoritative removal of corrupt commerce from the place appointed for worship and prayer.
Empty ritualism: Outward religious activity that lacks faith, holiness, mercy, and genuine devotion to God.
House of prayer: Isaiah's description of God's house as a place where people from all nations may seek and worship him.
Prayer according to God's will: Confident petition grounded in faith and governed by what God desires rather than by a promise of automatic prosperity.
Forgiveness: God's merciful pardon of sinners in Christ, which produces a readiness to forgive those who sin against us.