Gridlock, Week 5: What Does God Desire
Mark 11:12-21 (NIV)
The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 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. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts 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, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.
20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
Discussion Questions
When you think about the conflict and protests happening in our world today, do you find yourself more compelled to engage or more exhausted by it all — and why?
The sermon described the money changers and dove sellers as exploiting the poor through a system that looked religious on the outside. Where do you see systems today that might look acceptable on the surface but quietly take advantage of vulnerable people?
The message suggested we should ask ourselves, "What breaks your heart?" as a starting point for justice. What is something happening in the world right now that genuinely stirs your compassion — and have you ever felt moved to do something about it?
What's the difference, in your own life, between something you believe and something you hold as a deep conviction? Can you think of a conviction you have that you've never really had to act on yet?
The sermon warned that compassion without conviction is soft and diffuse, while conviction without compassion is hard and unrelenting. Which of the two do you think you lean toward naturally, and how has that shown up in your relationships or decisions?
Think about a time you stayed quiet when you felt you should have spoken up. Looking back, what held you back — and what would courage have looked like in that moment?
The young dad in the sermon paid a real cost for his convictions — months of hardship with no regrets. Have you ever paid a cost for doing what you believed was right? What did that experience teach you?
The pastor in Minneapolis said her biggest job was nourishing people with hope in the middle of conflict and protest. Who in your life helps nourish your hope when the weight of the world feels heavy — and how do you do that for others?
The sermon closed with the idea that our small acts of faithfulness — even when they seem insignificant — participate in the greater work God is doing in the world. Is there a small, concrete step you feel nudged to take this week in response to what you heard today?
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