19 April 2020 (am) – Mark 11:12-25

Andy Bruins preaching from Mark on Sunday 19th April 2020.

Mark 11:12-25 The Fig Tree and the Temple
This account has been structured as a sandwich with the cursing of the fig tree either side of the
incident in the temple. This is to ensure that we get the point; that Jesus is in fact, cursing the
institution of the Temple.
The Fig Tree then, illustrates what is wrong at the Temple. There’s plenty of outward signs of life…
but there’s no fruit.
In the verses 22-25, Jesus responds to the amazement of the disciples over the rapid withering of
the tree. He teaches an important lesson about faith when we come to God in prayer.
It seems that what connects this to what precedes it is that the temple is no longer necessary –
access to God is now by faith in Jesus and forgiveness is found in His sacrifice rather than the
lambs of the sacrificial system.
Summary: Beware empty, religious activity that does not bear genuine gospel fruit. Anything that
does not fix our eyes on Jesus is barren and worthless religion.

Q It has often been said that “true Christianity is about relationship, not religion”. How does
this incident demonstrate the truth in that statement?
Q What do we mean by “religion”? Is it always a bad thing? (cf James 1:26-27)
Q Why are people so attracted to empty, religious activity?
Q Read v24. Does this verse mean that God will always give us everything that we ask for?
(take a look at James 4:2-4)
Q Read v25. What condition does Jesus put on His Father forgiving our sins? What does this
mean?