Mark 11:15-19 ¹⁵On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, ¹⁶ and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. ¹⁷ And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'” ¹⁸ The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. ¹⁹ When evening came, they went out of the city.

1. Context
   1. Passage is sandwiched between the story of the fig tree
   2. Jesus had just recently entered into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)
   3. Begins a new series of conflict that Jesus has with the authorities

II.   The Temple

1. 1. Center of worship for all of Israel
   2. Divided into sections: Most Holy Place, Holy Place, Inner Courts, Outer Courts
   3. Makeshift markets were in the Outer Court, or Court of the Gentiles during a major Jewish Feast; area designated for Gentile converts had lost its sacredness and turned into a market; this made it convenient for those traveling in town to buy for sacrifices

III.   The Problem

1. 1. Markets hindered worship for the gentiles
   2. Corruption or at least lack of sincerity/purity in worship
   3. Possible profit making for the high priest and/or Sanhedrin

IV.  Jesus’ Response

1. 1. Displays the righteous anger of God
      1. God gets angry over corruption and injustice
      2. God demands purity in our worship- we come to seek him
      3. God gets angry if our superficial-ness in worship hinders outreach to new people
   2. Displays his strength to stand up to the wrongs
      1. Silence can be a sin
      2. Overturns the tables (John describes whip of cords)
      3. Jesus’ anger is restorative (v. 17a- he taught them…)
   3. Quotes Isaiah 56:7—House of Prayer for the Nations
      1. Temple became national symbol of Israel— came to be exclusive rather than inclusive
      2. Reminder of God’s inclusive redemptive plan

V.   Application

1. 1. Do we recognize God’s holiness and hatred for sin?
   2. Are we seeking purity in our worship?
      1. God takes worship seriously! Do you?
   3. Inward versus Outward
      1. Inward over outward—purity of the heart
      2. Outward over inward—focused on our mission to reach out; our building is a means for outreach, not an end in itself
   4. Are you a Warrior for Righteousness?
   5. Connection to fig tree- authentic worship leads to a mission focus and produces fruit