Lesson text: Mark 11:15-33
On the day after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus enters the temple complex. He is appalled to see the Court of the Gentiles being used for the selling of animals and for currency exchange. He drives out the vendors because of their misuse of this area intended for worship. This event angers the scribes and chief priests, who now want Jesus dead. The next day, Peter notices that the fig tree cursed by Jesus is utterly dead. This “destruction miracle” gives Jesus another opportunity to teach His disciples about the power of faith. Later, as the group arrives back in Jerusalem, Jesus is confronted by the Jewish leaders. They want to know by what authority He cleansed the temple and teaches the people. Jesus answers them with a question that stops them cold in their tracks.
Header image from https://freechristimages.com/bible-stories/Jesus-cleanses-temple.html.