Mark’s Gospel in Chapter 11 shows us something the others’ don’t concerning the flow of the narrative.

We are presented with the Triumphal Entry, then the 1st visitation to the Temple and then the Fig Tree, the Cleansing of the Temple. They are not the random stories but they convey a coherent and prophetic message.

This week marks the height of the Christian calendar.

Mark 11 is supposed to be a continuous narrative with a connected context. That is very often we can take vs23 and 24 out of context. It is not faith for things, but faith for change.

Jesus is accomplishing His ministry, and here we see Jesus transitioning the thinking of people who are so discerning that the “temples” of stone will house the Presence, but the people will become living temples of His Presence.

The fig tree was an illustration of the spiritual condition of the religious system of the day. All leaves and no fruit. So Jesus cursed the fig tree and it dried up. Once fruit goes out of our lives so He will also cut us off.

There are 2 distinct visitations to the Temple in this chapter. One to observe the other to expel.

Jesus visits twice, to fulfil the transition. Establishing prayer at the forefront of the role of a people becoming the House of God.

Jesus was going to finish the current system via His Sacrifice on the Cross and institute a new Temple through His resurrection and ascension .

This narrative is the transition process to this objective. So this Easter we must celebrate not just our salvation but our establishing as the Church.

So as we read Mark 11 we must embrace the changes it represents.

The fig tree is cursed for the lack of fruit. Jesus teaches the importance of fruit in John 15. He also teaches us through Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 the two foundational fruit attributes of peace and joy.

Let us meditate that the faith we need is to make those changes.

Shalom.