Jesus cursed and destroyed. This is not a sentence we usually think of attributing to the Jesus we find in scripture - especially not in the same chapter where we read about Palm Sunday. If you're curious about that, join us this Sunday and hear about Jesus' final miracle before Holy Week and what it tells us about His desire for us.

Mark 11:1-25

The Triumphal Entry

11 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

11 And He entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when He had looked around at everything, as it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

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.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

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.

The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree

20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

For Adult Homes & Groups

1. Read Mark 11:1-25 (and John 15:1-8 for bonus points).

2. What is the “fruit” that Jesus is seeking in His followers? 

3. Are there certain areas where the church is particularly guilty of being more about talk than action? If so, name a few of them.

4. Which of these areas do you struggle with personally?

5. Because we have been forgiven and freed by the work of Jesus, we are empowered by the Spirit to participate in His redemptive work. What is one way you can join Jesus on His mission this week by loving a neighbor or seeking restoration for someone who is hurting? 

For Families with Kids

1. Read Mark 11:1-11. What do you think the two disciples thought when Jesus asked them to bring Him the colt? How do you think the owner of the colt felt?

2. How do you feel about your personal belongings like your toys or games? If Jesus told you He needed them, what would be the hardest to give away? Why? What would be easier? Why?

3. Imagine yourself in the city with everyone there… What feelings does the crowd show? What words are people shouting at Jesus?

4. Luke 19:41-44 also talks about Palm Sunday and how many people missed what the day was all about for Jesus. How might we miss it today? How can we make sure we don’t miss it on Easter?

5. Make it a goal to worship at our Holy Week services (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday) to be ready for Easter Sunday!