Friday:8^th Week of the year-B-Cycle I

I Reading: Ecclesiasticus 44:1.9-13: Our ancestors were generous men, and their name lives on for all generations.

Gospel: Mark 11: 11-26: My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples. Have faith in God.

The Fig Tree Cursed: A Warning Against a Fruitless Life, Mk 11:12-14

Why did Jesus destroy the fig tree? Two things always need to be remembered.

1. God is both good and severe. As Paul says, “consider therefore the kindness and the sternness of God” (Rom 11:22).

2. Jesus always acted either to teach people or to save and help people. In the destruction of the fig tree, Jesus was teaching people a much needed lesson-a lesson that shouts loudly, “Be fruitful! Guard against profession without bearing fruit.”

1. Jesus had need (v.12)

2. Jesus was potential (v.13)

3. Jesus examined the fruit (13)

4. Jesus condemned profession without fruit (faith in God) (v.14)

The Temple Cleansed: A Warning to Those Who Abuse God’s Temple,

Mk 11:15-19

The cleansing of the temple took place on Monday, the day after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He entered the temple and “looked around at everything” (v.11), observing all that was going on. He stood off to the side observing all the corruption. After some time, heartbroken and weary, he left, returning to Bethany to spend Sunday night. When he rose on Monday morning, he returned to the temple and cleansed it of those who profaned its sacredness.

Four things should be noted about the temple during this last week of our Lord’s life.

1. Jesus was ending his ministry in the temple, his Father’s house of prayer, the place where God’s presence dwells in a special way.

2. Jesus was revealing who he was by cleansing the temple.

3. In cleansing the temple, Jesus was revealing how people were to retreat and use the temple of God.

4. Jesus began and ended his ministry by cleansing the temple.

When our Lord entered Jerusalem, he did not go up to the palace of a king, nor to the courts of the rulers; but he went up to the temple, to the House of God and taught us how the temple is to be used.

1. Jesus entered the temple (v.15)

2. Jesus drove some out of the temple (v.15-17)

a. Those who commercialized or secularized religion

b. Those who desecrated God’s house

c. Those who affected the atmosphere of prayer

d. Those who shut people out

e. Those who changed the purpose of the temple

3. Jesus caused a reaction when the truth of the temple was proclaimed (v.3)

a. Some sought to persecute him

b. Some were amazed

4. Jesus left when the truth was rejected (v.19)

The Conditions of Prayer, Mk 11:20-26

Prayer has its conditions. Jesus used the fig tree to teach what the conditions of prayer are.

1. The fig tree was noticed, cp. V.12-14 (v.20-21)

a. The tree had been cursed by Jesus

b. Peter was surprised at the answer to Jesus’ prayer

2. Condition 1: Faith in God (v.22-23)

a. The object of faith: God

b. The purpose of faith: To remove mountains

c. The way to possess faith: Prayer

          1) Not doubting- in your heart

          2) Believing-in God’s authority

d. The results of faith

3. Condition 2: Expectancy (v.24)

a. Emotions: Desire

b. Will: Ask

c. Spirit: Believe

4. Condition 3: Forgiveness: While praying, forgive (v.25)

Thought: How many today would be gotten rid of if they really sought to cleanse the church of the abusers and secular activities often allowed and promoted within its walls? (1Tim 6:10; James 5:3; Prov 16:8; Jer 17:11)

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