The Life of Jesus (24)

A study of the week that changed history

In our last lesson

•1 Cor. 11:1, 1 John 2:6we need to imitate Him•Matt. 21:1-11 – His

triumphal entry into Jerusalem

The Life of Jesus

Cleansing the Temple

Cleansing the temple

•Matt. 21:12-13• Jesus goes to the temple and

observes the selling of animals and merchandizing.

• He proceeds to overturn the money tables and drives out the animals

Cleansing the temple

•Matt. 21:12-13, He says, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves’”cf. Isaiah 56:7, Jer. 7:11

• This was 2nd time He did this – John 2:13-22

Cleansing the temple• Why didn’t they stop Him? • What they were doing was wrong! Neh. 13:15-22

• Jesus had a devout following, cf. Matt. 21:14-17

• Did they know, deep down, He was right?

•Mark 11:18 – they sought to destroy Him

Again, in all this Jesus is in control!

Cleansing the temple

• A passion to honor God!• Under Old Law, provisions

were to be made Deut. 14:24-26

• They had turned such into a business that overshadowed the purpose

Cleansing the temple

• Do we see such today?• Some exploit the gospel for profit

(i.e. Joel Osteen)• Some manipulate scripture for

personal gain – e.g. Gal. 6:10, Titus 1:11, 1 Tim. 6:5Consider Gal. 5:13

God is insulted, blasphemed by such

conduct!

The Life of Jesus

Cursing the fig tree

Cursing the fig tree

•Matt. 21:18-22, Mark 11:12-14, 20-24

• The next morning, Jesus returns to the city. He is hungry and sees a fig tree with leaves.

Cursing the fig tree•Matt. 21:18-22• Fig trees in that region

produced fruit and THEN leaves. (Mark tells us it was not the season for figs). Possible that this tree had bloomed “out of season” If so, it was pretentious but useless.

Cursing the fig tree

•Matt. 21:18-22, Mark 11:12-14, 20-24

• Jesus curses the tree (The only miracle of Jesus that was a curse)

• Immediately the tree begins to wither. Next day totally dead.

Cursing the fig tree

•Matt. 21:18-22, Mark 11:12-14, 20-24

• When asked about it, Jesus teaches them the need for faith.

Cursing the fig tree

• What is the significance of this event?

• IMPLIED: The tree representative of Israel. They falsely portrayed that they were “healthy”, but they would be cursed and wither away.

Cursing the fig treeRepresentative of Israel?•Such is what happened – the Law was passing away - cf. 2 Cor. 3:11, 13, Rom. 9:30-33 (Isa. 28:16)•This message was emphasized during this time – Cf. Matt. 21:42-44

Cursing the fig tree

Representative of Israel?

•The parable of the barren fig tree – Luke 13:6-8This WAS taught as Jesus was dealing with rejection and repentance

Cursing the fig tree

• What is the significance of this event?

• Stated: Jesus emphasized the power of faith to His disciples

Cursing the fig tree

The power of faith

•Jesus indirectly answered their question – with faith they would be able to do great works through prayer (Matt. 21:21-22)

Cursing the fig treeThe power of faith•His disciples needed reassurance•Lesson: While our faith will not perform miracles, we need strong faith Heb. 11:6, Jas 1:5-8, 2 Pet. 1:5

Cursing the fig tree

The power of faith•Jesus ties their faith to prayer (vs. 22)•Do we appreciate the power of prayer? 1 Thess. 5:17. According to His will – 1 Jn. 5:14-15

Cursing the fig treeWhy did He curse the fig tree?•Some are critical of what Jesus did here (e.g. cruel, unjust, inconsistent with His nature)•Jesus used an object to teach a lesson! He could have justly struck the Sanhedrin, but instead used an object!

Cursing the fig tree

Why did He curse the fig tree?

•Remember: Man subdues the earth – Gen. 1:28-30, 9:2-4, Psa. 8:4-6•Sometimes demonstration makes the greatest impact!

The Life of Jesus

Does the life He lived influence the life

YOU life?