On Line Bible Study - For the week August 31 - September 6, 2009

Lesson 403

Mark 11: ¹²The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. ¹³Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. ¹⁴Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it.

¹⁵On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, ¹⁶and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. ¹⁷And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: " 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" ¹⁸The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. ¹⁹When evening came, they went out of the city.

We have a story within a story in this text - the fig tree, the "cleansing" of the temple, then back to the fig tree (verses 20ff). The fig tree story has generated plenty of controversy: How could Jesus expect something to bear fruit when it wasn't the season for fruit? All sorts of explanations are offered. One of the more interesting theories is that what was originally a parable has been given a historical context; this might explain the contortions we have to go through to make sense of it.

But one thing is certain - the stories of the fig tree and the temple are filled with symbolism, regardless of their historicity. Jesus has authority and power over the world - earthly and spiritual. And what does the fig tree symbolize? While the theories abound, perhaps the best way to approach it is to examine our own lives - What are the areas where you are not bearing fruit and you should be?

There are several Hebrew Bible references that connect fruitfulness to Israel - Micah 7:1; Hosea 9:10. Are we bearing fruit for the kingdom?

The temple scene is another problematic situation; the money changers were not disobeying the law. They performed a necessary service if the sacrifices were going to be offered. However, no matter how careful we are, whenever there is commercialism there is dishonesty and corruption. Jesus is looking for a temple purified - a temple that addresses the needs of all nations. This would be something the people of Mark's community would read carefully - they were Gentiles, and now Christians as well! A people who experienced their share of persecution. The section concludes as follows:

Mark 11: ²⁰In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. ²¹Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" ²²"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. ²³"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. ²⁴Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ²⁵And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Does "faith in God" guarantee our prayers will be answered as we ask?

The fig tree may symbolize the kind of reception Jesus will receive - those who ought to bear the fruit of faith in the messiah will turn against him. Those who mingle prayer with greed and corruption do not have authentic faith - not only are they fruitless; they have no reason to expect their prayers will be answered. And forgiveness - our faith in God is contained in the crucible of forgiveness. What good are faith and prayers if we are unwilling to forgive?