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Entry, Fig Tree, and Temple
In Mark 11-12, we see that Jesus is the king who comes to sacrifice himself for those of us who deserve to be cursed.
What’s Happening?
It seems like the Kingdom might finally be arriving. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on an unbroken colt. The crowds gather and shout “Hosanna!” which means, “Save us, we pray!” They lay their cloaks in front of him in deep respect. They are hailing Jesus as King and Messiah (Zechariah 9:9; 2 Kings 9:13).
The next day, Jesus visits the temple and stops by a fig tree on his way in and out (Mark 11:13). The fig tree doesn’t have any fruit. Fruitlessness had long been a metaphor in the Old Testament for Israel’s disbelief and disobedience, especially among their leaders (Jeremiah 8:13; Hosea 9:16).
Jesus enters the temple and begins driving out the merchants and money traders (Mark 11:15). The temple was supposed to be a house of prayer where Israel looked to God. But the religious leaders had turned from trusting God to trusting their own profit. As Jesus leaves, the fig tree he cursed earlier has withered and died (Mark 11:20). Just like in the Old Testament, it’s a metaphor. Israel’s leaders are unfruitful, corrupt, and are about to be judged.
The religious leaders are furious with Jesus. They pepper Jesus with questions and demand to know why he believes he has the authority to do any of this (Mark 11:28). Jesus does not answer directly but asks a question to them about the identity of the Messiah from Psalm 110 (Mark 12:37). The religious cannot answer because the answer to Jesus’ question would prove his authority.
Where is the Gospel?
Unlike the priests who exploited the people and sold sacrifices for profit, Jesus is the better priest who gives himself freely as the way back to God (Isaiah 55:1). By overturning the tables in the temple, he was declaring that the entire system of buying and selling sacrifices was coming to an end. In its place, Jesus himself would become the true temple—the place where God and humanity meet. That’s why, at his death, the great curtain in the temple was torn in two (Mark 15:38). Through Jesus, God’s presence is no longer locked away, but open and available to all.
Jesus also has the authority to do this because he is not only a son of David, but the very Son of God (Mark 11:10). That’s why he quoted Psalm 110: David calls the Messiah “Lord,” a title no earthly son would deserve unless that son was also divine.
Jesus is the true King of Israel, both David’s heir and God’s Son. And with that authority he judges corruption, tears down fruitless religion, and welcomes anyone who will call on his name into God’s Kingdom.
See for Yourself
May the Holy Spirit open your eyes to see the God who tears down fruitless religion and makes his presence freely available. And may you see Jesus as the true King and living Temple who brings us into God’s Kingdom.