Jesus Searches for Fruit

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Jesus Searches for Fruit

Date: May. 26, 2016

Passage

Mark 11:12-19 (ESV)

12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they went out of the city.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 11:17

And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”

First, a fruitless tree (12-15). As they returned to Jerusalem in the morning from Bethany, Jesus was hungry. In the distance, he saw a fig tree that looked very promising. It was full of leaves and should have at least had some figs that were developing. But as Jesus approached the tree, he saw that it had nothing but leaves and so he cursed the tree. In this way, Jesus provided a powerful illustration for his disciples. Jerusalem, with its ornate temple and colorful festivals looked great from a distance, but upon closer inspection, no fruit could be found. Because of this, the city would be judged.

Second, a fruitless temple (16-19). When Jesus reached the temple courts, he saw the hustle and bustle of a busy market. Merchants and money changers were making huge profits from those who

had come to worship while others were using the temple courts as a shortcut to transport their goods. This was completely wrong! The temple was to be a house of prayer for all nations and the temple courts a place where Gentiles could come and worship the living God. Jesus cleared the temple, but the leaders refused to repent.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to bear fruit that pleases you.

One Word: Jesus is searching for fruit in our lives

Joseph Before Pharaoh

Genesis 41:1-36

Key Verse: 41:28

It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do.

Today's Question

How did God create man?

See answer and references