Following Jesus in the Gospel of MarkSample

APPEARANCES

Look Closely: Today’s passages cover a lot of ground. Jesus continues to act and teach with great authority, and the religious leaders feel increasingly threatened. They try repeatedly to trap Him in His words, in hopes of discrediting Him or causing Him to lose favor with the crowds. They make a show of piety but are not at all interested in learning the truth or recognizing the Messiah – they want only to maintain their power and positions. As a result, Jesus begins to pronounce the judgment that will soon come upon them. He does this in a variety of ways: through parables, physical illustrations, and direct statements.

For example, Mark’s account of Jesus clearing the temple is sandwiched within the story of the fig tree. By composing the passage this way, Mark invites us to use each story to interpret the other. Both address the hypocrisy of Israel and declare its coming judgment.

Fig trees typically begin to bear fruit about the same time the leaves come out. Since this tree had leaves but no fruit, David Guzik suggests that “the tree was cursed for its pretense of leaves, not for its lack of fruit.” It had the appearance of fruit but was not actually productive.

In the Old Testament, the fig tree sometimes serves as a symbol for Israel (Hosea 9:10; Joel 1:6-7). Many commentators suggest that the cursing of the fig tree represented judgment on the leaders of Israel who had the appearance of righteousness but not the fruit of it.

How else does Jesus address the leaders’ hypocrisy in today’s reading?

What examples of true faith does Mark include along the way? How do these teach us to push past appearances in our own lives?

Challenge: Jesus reminded His followers of the greatest commandments, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31) Spend some time in prayer today talking with God about any areas that you fall short of this all-encompassing devotion. Lean in to receive His guidance and forgiveness.