Deliberate: Clarity

1. Jesus cursed a fig tree. 

 …As they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat Fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. Mark 11:12-14

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control... Galatians 5:22-23

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Mark 11:20

2. Jesus cleansed the temple.

So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples. Mark11:11

...If he finds that the mildew has spread, the walls are clearly contaminated with a serious mildew, and the house is defiled. It must be torn down, and all its stones, timbers, and plaster must be carried out of town to the place designated as ceremonially unclean. Leviticus 14:44-45

When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” Luke 19:45-46

“But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.” John4:23

3. Jesus called out spiritual apathy.

Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls... Luke 21:5

“The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Luke 21:6

“...Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’...” Luke 21:8

“Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” Luke 21:10

“There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands...” Luke 21:11

“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life…Keep alert at all times.”   Luke 21:34-36