April 3rd, 2022 SUNDAY MESSAGE
JOIN US AT 10 AM TODAY!
Transcription Notes:
Today we are talking about Public Upheaval:
Have you ever been so mad you wanted to lose you mind but, since you were in a public you kept it under control.
Well now, there are RAGE ROOMS. A rage room, also known as a smash room or anger room, is a room where people can vent their rage by destroying objects. Firms offer access to such rooms on a rental basis.
Rage rooms may include living room and kitchen replicas with furnishings and items such as televisions and desks. Clients may be allowed to bring their own possessions to destroy.
Airplanes seeing an uptick in public disturbance
I experienced a public upheaval at a restaurant recently: La Parada down on New York Street.
A little bit of heckling,
turned to arguing,
before you know someone is picking up metal folding chair like WWF
with a swing…and miss.
Families are running for their cars
I’m wondering, “do i get involved” or “do I get out of the situation?”
One dad makes eye contact with me communicating, “this is crazy, let’s get out of here, I should have gone to Chipotle” but all I’m thinking is…
“No man! The Elote!! - the delicious corn with the chile on it - is NEXT LEVEL - you can’t get that at chipotle - catching a flying elbow *just might* be worth it!
Eventually things calmed down but it the patio was cleared out because it was giant disruption.
Many of us aren’t used to public disruption like this in our day.
It goes against codes of conduct and civil norms
if you haven’t seen anything like this, when we read the scriptures today, you’ll have to use your imagination b/c
in THIS story it is JESUS HIMSELF that is the source of an intensely dramatic scene being made in public that causes a huge disturbance!
Let’s open up our bible because I want to jump right into it!! Mark Ch. 11 verse 11 says this…
Mark 11:11
11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. <transition> 12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit.
NOW, you might be thinking “wait, this is the wrong part, why are we talking about FIG TREES??” Here is the answer:
Mark, in particular, wrote his gospel in a way that repeatedly couples two stories together by starting one story and interrupting it with a completely different one and then coming back to finish the original story. There is a reason for this:
The internal story helped to interpret the external one. The whole idea was that it created an interpretive commentary for the reader without explicitly stating it.
This is commonly called the “Markian Sandwich” but I had a hamburger here so, quickly replay with an object lesson…
THE FIG story opens it up and, later, closes it. It’s the BURGER!
BUN - Mk. 11:12-14
MEAT/CHEESE - Mk. 11:15-19
BUN - Mk. 11:20-22
So it’s two stories but you can’t separate them without losing the intent of the author, Mark, as we read.
Alright, back to the text:
13 Seeing 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. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
At first, you’re likely thinking, “Dang Jesus, kinda harsh! What do you have against fig trees?!? It’s not even the season for figs and you’re mad at the tree.”
Well, as you may guess, it’s not about the tree.
Like many of the parables of Jesus, He takes something real, tangible, often in His line-of-site, to use as an object lesson and this is a perfect teachable moment.
One commentator said, “Yeshua is making a point by means of prophetic drama, (an) acted-out parable”
So, the tree is an illustration, or a LIVING parable about something else…before we apply it, though, I want to break down the process that’s taking place so you can see the parallels later.
The FIG Process:
1. First, HUNGER.
Jesus is HUNGRY and wants the fig tree's fruit.
2. Second, EXAMINATION
Jesus approaches the tree and EXAMINES it for fruit.
3. Third, FRUITLESSNESS.
He finds NO fruit on the tree
4. Fourth, JUDGMENT.
He curses the tree, condemning it to live out the same useless existence that it displayed.
So keep these four things in mind and let's keep reading..
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts 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,16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.
So, pause quickly and picture the scene because it’s CRAZY!
Tables have been set up all around the court to enable travelers coming in for Passover
to change their various currencies into coins for the annual temple tax
as well as to purchase lambs, pigeons, oil, salt, etc., for various sacrifices.
The dominant idea is that the merchants are skimming off the top!
Jesus, upon entering the temple this time, begins to purify it in a calculated moment of ZEAL by flipping tables over and knocking things to the floor!
Consider this…have you EVER seen someone in real life turn over a table?? I was thinking about it this week and I’ve never actually SEEN IT in real life!
Have you ever seen a public escalation ramp up to the extent that a table gets overturned because someone had the anger or audacity to flip a literal table over…
I imagine it would be incredibly intrusive to the environment:
Those around it would definitely NOT just go on as if nothing happened!!
You would stop what you’re doing, stop eating, stop the conversations and you pay attention to the table flipping situation,
you consider, should I step in? is it my business? Does somebody need protection?
Remember, with Jesus, it’s more than just the table too,
John’s account says he made a whip (not the dance, the weapon)
DROVE out the sellers
DROVE out the buyers
DRIVES out the animals so there is dust kicking up, goats running wild, and doves flying through the air, it’s chaos!!
FLIPPED over the tables with the coins spilled out on the ground
AND EVEN THE STOOLS (I want you all STANDING for this).
JESUS BREAKS ALL THE CIVIC AND SOCIAL NORMS:
Jesus is NOT what we would call “reasonable.”
Jesus is NOT what we would call “responsible.”
Jesus is NOT what we would call “CIVIL.”
Jesus is NOT respecting peoples’ property, in fact, He is destructive and he does so to make a point!
Some have even describe this moment as a small COUP or INSURGENCY because Jesus “would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts” so the facility is actually on “Jesus Lock-Down” and all of the intended productivity taking place comes to a FULL STOP for a period of time!!
The Jewish New Testament Commentary brings NT Wright into the conversation saying: “Jesus clearly occupied the entire temple area for a few hours…It seems that the public was using the temple area as a public thoroughfare. Jesus, with his supporters, blocked that unauthorized bypass, overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of the merchants selling doves, driving out both sellers and buyers. This necessitated controlling the entire thirty-five acre complex. In the process, for that day, he shut down the afternoon sacrifice. At the end of the day, Jesus and his followers voluntarily withdrew. They had made their public statement.” 2 In essence, Jesus’ crew SEIZED the temple!
Verse 17 continues…
17 And as he taught them (class is in session), 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.’”
I love that Jesus takes a few mins in the midst of the milieu to teach a little something! Let’s take a closer look at this because those two phrases are significant:
My house will be called a house of prayer for ALL nations’?
But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
First, what does Jesus mean by: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for ALL nations’?
Not so coincidentally, the area where this event takes place is called the Court of Gentiles where the Gentile converts would have dwelled as their part in worship and celebrating passover.
You can see it here: <SHOW MAP WITH COURT OF GENTILES>
Mark’s Gospel is the only one that add “for all nations” which makes sense because Mark's gospel is written to a non-Jewish audience.
So he points out that Jesus recognizes there was an ethnic prejudice taking place that
the outside nations, in particular, were being denied access to God through the system.” and being unfairly targeted.
By including this little phraise, Jesus both restores the temple to its proper function as a house of prayer for ALL the nations (Isa. 56:7)
And points towards the missional inclusion of the gentiles as a part of the establishment of the Kingdom.
Paul Miller writes: “All of this commerce took place in the outer court of the temple, which was reserved for prayer by other ethnic groups (only Jews went into the inner courts). The ancient prophecies said that one day the Jews would bring salvation to “all” people. Israel would be the door through which people from all nations would come to know God.
What about the next statement: “But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
Jesus has seen their business activity and compares it to the hiding place where robbers store what they have taken from others.
This statement would have enraged those at the heart of Jewish power, the priests because it’s an accusation!
It is possible that this act, more than any other, would have been the basis for crucifying Jesus.
Not that unfamiliar: attacks on the existing power structure, especially when it is oppressive, often bring death-dealing retaliation.
Midrash: “Sons of Eli”
One commentary described the leaders and the merchants’ actions as organized crime calling them a “corrupt mafia” and Jesus is RESISTING it.
There’s one more thing I want you to see here:
This public disturbance had an economic cost to it as well. It's not that different than one we talked about in last weeks sermon because,
a legion of pigs dying has an economic cost to the Gentile economy in the Decapolis
But, instead of unclean pigs it’s the perfect sacrificial animals affecting the Jewish social-religious economy…
…AND the expense of losing animals raised from birth and protected as unblemished sacrificial stock is massive!
It’s the perfect equal-but-opposite critique towards Jesus’ own people:
Except God’s people are supposed to know the difference between right and wrong.
They too have built a system that benefits some and marginalizes others and they are doing it right in God’s face - in the temple!!
The proximity of these two encounters helps us see the focal point of Jesus’ critique last week was the gentiles at the shore of the Decapolis but the focus of THIS resistance is internal and more personal because it's the Jewish LEADERS!
The Jewish institutions and the Jewish Systems which are under inspection this time.
The temple, which should be the very representation of holiness, has been compromised, made unclean, and they have used the festival to take advantage of the vulnerable.
Moving on to verse 18…
18 The 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.
19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.
This moment also functions as a kind of trigger event. At this point in Jesus’ ministry He has accepted claims of being the messiah, put that fact on display, so, an aggressive act like this and the fact that many are “hanging on his words” almost certainly sets into motion the events that lead to Jesus’ death. The Jewish leaders either come into alignment with Jesus or get rid of him!
Let’s revisit the process from the fig tree so you can see the parallels!
THE TEMPLE PROCESS:
1. First: HUNGER.
God is HUNGRY for Israel to bear spiritual fruit.
He wants them to be RIGHTEOUS and
He wants them to be READY for the coming messiah.
They are meant to be so ready, they are “preparing the way” for others!
2. Second: EXAMINATION
Jesus comes in close and examines the temple to see what their fruitfulness is. In fact, He even goes into the temple a day earlier. It said “Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.” then it picks up where we started reading and he makes use of the fig true that he passes to teach.
3. Third, FRUITLESSNESS
He find no fruit in the temple.
No righteousness
No readiness
In fact, not only are they NOT doing what they are supposed to do but they are actively doing what they are NOT supposed to do!!
Robbing people
Treating that which is sacred with not regard
Making it difficult for the Gentiles to have access even thought it was meant to be a prayer house for the nations
So he begins to cleanse it of these impurities…
4. Four, JUDGMENT
condemns Israel because they are not doing what they were created to do which was to bear spiritual fruit!!
As we Close, I want to give you the FINAL bun in the hamburger. Verse 20…
20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.
Now, if Jesus didn’t make it fully clear until this point, he does now.
He let the reality of His parable do the final teaching for Him.
Indeed, his creation speaks on his behalf: to praise him, to tell his story of provision, and here, to tell the conclusion of his curse.
Because there was a fifth step in the process that isn’t revealed until now:
5. Five: DESTRUCTION of the FIG
5. Five: DESTRUCTION of the TEMPLE and the System.
The interpretation that Jesus gives to his action is crucial for understanding what he intended.This teaching transforms a simple display of protest into an announcement of divine judgment.
Seeing it in the context of the cursing of the fig tree helps us as the the readers to have an added advantage for understanding this incident!
Also, “The passage cited from Isaiah 56:7, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations,” means that God did not plan for the temple to become a national shrine for Israel but a promise of blessing for all who might think they are excluded from God’s salvation:
the foreigner who has joined himself to the people (56:3),
and the outcasts of Israel (Isa. 56:8). Most assumed that Isaiah 56 spoke of some distant future, but Jesus expects it to be fulfilled now!
How do we apply this?
Can we be Angry?
Can we do it Righteously?
I DON’T KNOW that you and I can safely say we are able!
One thing that someone pointed out that I thought was interesting was that:
we easily see the judgment of God against the people here and it hits as harsh in our culture but,
what we aren’t seeing is that, soon, the people of God will judge Jesus and call for his prosecution although he is innocent. AND, they will condemn him to an excruciating death.
What Jesus is doing here is giving them a warning…and an opportunity to turn around.
As they were judging the character of God, they didn’t realize that the standard for righteousness, truth, and correct living, treatment of others, had examined them and saw them unfit and tried to warn them!!
Often we think we are judging God and his word, determining whether or not we are going to believe God and do what He says but the word of God is reading us and giving us an opportunity
to believe
to repent and
to turn to God
When we read the word of God, the word of God is reading us, examining us, weighing us so that we realize we NEED JESUS!
As we move towards Holy Week and Palm Sunday next weekend, let us do so with an inwardly-examined heart not with fingers pointed elsewhere!
We are warned but we are invited to be cleansed by Jesus because ultimately we are now the temple of Christ. You see, the old system, even when it was operating well, was just an image of the coming reality that you and I, we, are the roaming temples of God, already cleansed by the blood of Christ but still on mission to see that all nations are blessed through blessing we have been given!
COMMUNION:
(1 COR. 11:23B-26)
“The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
PRAYER REQUESTS:
We are hosting prayer team meetings for both the congregation at large and individuals to sign up for individual prayer.
SUGGESTIONS FOR WORSHIP:
“Praise & Worship” Spotify playlist and “Praise & Worship” YouTube playlist (slightly different from each other), both of diverse music that are being constantly updated!
Bethel Music :
Bethel Music’s hours of live music YouTube Playlist, also being constantly updated
Bethel provides chords to most (if not all) of their songs here (just have to register email, but free!)
Live worship moments from the Upper Room YouTube Playlist
Journal writing! (I’m a writer too, so sometimes creative writing and writing my thoughts to God is my form of worship.)
Declare and worship with truth by singing and praying scriptures.
WORSHIP NIGHT! Dedicate a night to worship with friends and family, your house church or neighbors, those who need prayer, love worship, or just enjoy music through a video chat platform like Zoom. You can have one person leading at a time (switching off to whoever else wants to lead) while others sing along, pray, or prophesy, etc.
Serving your community, both online, in person, or both, is a great way to worship God, from spreading encouragement and God’s Word online to physically serving food to others. If you are able to go out and serve, click here for opportunities.
COMMISSIONING:
As Jesus said in John 20:21,
"Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
Go, be the Church!
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.