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A few months ago, Park-sensei preached on 1 Corinthians 6, about the idea that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit. He mentioned the story of Jesus chasing out merchants from the temple of Jerusalem. Park-sensei asked us to imagine that if our hearts are a temple, then what needs to be cleared out and cleansed?
Today’s sermon is about the story of Jesus clearing the temple in the Gospel of Mark. Before we read it, let’s pray.
[Read Mark 11:12-25]
The fig tree and the temple
We read about two events: Jesus cursing the fig tree, and Jesus clearing the temple. From the way Mark puts the two events together, he shows there is a connection between them. The fig tree is a lesson about the temple.
Just as Jesus curses the fig tree, he judges the temple—or rather, he judges the people who are supposed to worship there.
Why does Jesus use the fig tree as a lesson? Why did he expect to see fruits on the fig tree when it wasn’t the right season for figs? Well, Jesus was referring to Old Testament scriptures where Israel is symbolized by a fig tree or figs—such as in Jeremiah 24 & 29, Hosea 9, Joel 1, and Micah 7. Let me just read one example, from Micah 7:1, where God shows he is grieved about Israel: “What misery is mine! I am like one who gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster of grapes to eat, none of the early figs that I crave.”
In the same way, Jesus grieves the lack of faith and prayer that he expected to see in the temple. Instead of faith and prayer, he sees people buying and selling.
The den of thieves
There is nothing wrong with doing business, but in this case there were two problems.
Bible commentators say that, firstly, the merchants were greedy, selling animals for temple sacrifice at an inflated price. Secondly, they were doing business in the outer courts, which was the only area of the temple where non-Jewish people could come and pray. The temple was meant to be a place of reverence and worship. Instead it was a place where financial greed was allowed to flourish.
Jesus said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples”—a quote from the prophet Isaiah. God welcomes people of all nations to come near to him. But these merchants had no respect for the space that was meant to be a place of worship for non-Jews. In other words, Israel had faltered in its mission to lead the rest of the world in worshipping the one true God.
Jesus also said, “But you have made [this place] a den of thieves”—a quote from the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah had denounced those who thought they could get away with greed and dishonesty by pretending to be pious (Jeremiah 7:9-11). The prophet warned that the temple of Jerusalem would be destroyed unless Israel repented. The warning came true when Babylonians destroyed the temple in 587 BC. The temple was later rebuilt, but then destroyed again by the Romans 40 years after Jesus’ words.
Today, 2000 years later, the temple is still in ruins. “May no one ever eat fruit from you again,” Jesus said. I believe his words to the fig tree came true for the temple as well.
Jesus as judge
But what authority did Jesus have to chase out the merchants?
An ongoing theme in the book of Mark is the kingship of Jesus. As king, he has authority to judge his people. The Bible says that God is the judge of all humankind. This idea makes a lot of people uncomfortable. None of us want to be judged.
In Jerusalem, there still stands an ancient church called the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Inside, there is an icon of Jesus with a face that is stern, almost disapproving. This type of icon is called “Christ Pantokrator,” and it portrays Jesus as the Almighty. The icon is meant to remind worshippers that Jesus deserves our utmost respect and reverence. Unfortunately, this emphasis on awe and respect can make Jesus seem distant and uncaring. So, I can understand why many Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians would rather pray to Mary instead of directly to Jesus. To them, Mary is more approachable and compassionate.
While we may be quick to disagree with the theology of our Catholic and Orthodox brethren, let us remember that we Protestants are not without our own theological errors. We tend to over-emphasize the love of Jesus to the point that we neglect Jesus’ requirement that we live in a way that pleases God.
Yes, Jesus is loving. He healed the sick and ate together with outcasts of society. More importantly, Jesus died in our place as the ultimate act of love although we deserved to be punished for rebelling against the Creator of the universe.
But we cannot call ourselves followers of Jesus and yet live like nothing has changed. Hebrews 10:26 says sternly, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”
When Jesus warns us of judgment, it is out of concern for us. As he says in Revelation 3:19, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” And he says in Matthew 23:37, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Jesus warns us so that we may return to his embrace.
Jesus is not only Teacher and Savior but also Judge. He has authority to tell us that the way we are living is not right. When we live our own way without caring about God, it may satisfy us for now. But eventually, a life without God will disappoint us and even lead us to destruction. It is out of love that Jesus warn us.
Conclusion
Let me end this message by returning to the idea of our bodies and hearts as a temple of God. When you look into your heart, are you more like a temple or more like a marketplace? Is your heart preoccupied with the pursuit of money or other needs and wants? Or do you have space for listening to God?
And finally, in what way do you usually pray? Jesus encourages us to believe that God hears our prayers. He is a loving Father who listens to his children. The Bible tells us that there are conditions to our prayers to be answered, such as 1 John 5:14. It says, “And we have this confidence in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” The more we know the Father, the more his desires and priorities become our own. The more we desire the same things as him, the more we will see Him answering our prayers—because we are asking for what he wants.
Do you have times during the week to regularly talk with God—thanking Him, asking Him to speak to you? And to reflect on what God’s will is as you read the Bible? We are all very busy, but I think we can start by setting aside 5 minutes regularly to do this. And gradually, I believe the Lord will speak to our hearts.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, you cleansed the temple in Jerusalem. Sweep away from our lives all that offends you, that we may be temples to your praise and glory; now and for ever. Amen.
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