"On the way from Bethany to Jerusalem, Jesus cursed the fig tree (Matt. 21:18-19;Mk. 11:12-14) and then He went to Jerusalem to cleanse the temple (Matt. 21:12-13; Mk. 11:15-17; Lk. 19:45-46). The religious leaders began to seek how they might destroy Him that evening, and that evening Jesus left Jerusalem, presumably returning to Bethany (Mk. 11:18-19; Lk. 19:47-48)" H.Hoehner
Since I generally take Mondays off (from the office at least), Tuesday is the day when I try to get my week started and I often feel like I don't get much accomplished. For Jesus, however, on this Tuesday what might seem small to us (only 8 verses) was actually the opposite.
Consider first the fig tree. I'm no horticulturalist but based on what I have read on this event, it's quite a telling and fitting illustration of the nation of Israel (primarily their leadership). As I understand it, though it was not the normal season for figs, it was not improbable for the tree to have either late fruit from the Fall or early fruit in the Spring. The issue was this; on a fig tree, the full leaves that cover the tree always follow the fruit. The tree was "demonstrating" it's fruitfulness by presenting it's leaves. However, when Jesus arrived he found that the tree, like the nation of Israel, was barren of fruit. The tree was a hypocrite - like Israel's leaders. So Christ cursed the hypocritical tree - like Israel's leaders. The Jewish leadership was responsible for pointing the nation to Messiah. There's no way that they could have been mistaken about who Jesus was yet they refused to acknowledge Him as such. Examine the Lamb for yourself. He is true.
Lastly, consider the temple scene. And what a scene it was. This was the second time Jesus had taken strong action on those who turned the temple into a Farmer's Market (see John 2:13-16 for the first account). If you think of Jesus as this soft-spoken, mouse of a man, then you need to listen carefully to these verses. For the second time in just 3 years, Jesus is dumping tables and chasing people (and evidently animals) out of the house constructed for the worship of His Father. Jesus was not a weak man; He just chose his battles well. He refused to let "the house of prayer" be used for anything else. Did this man, Jesus, have the authority to do this? Examine Him. You will find that, indeed, He did. It royally ticked off the chief priest but they knew better than to try and stop Him. Examine the Lamb for yourself. He is without blemish.
Two thoughts: (1.) What does your tree look like? Are you displaying the leaves of fruitfulness only to be found barren of fruit? (2.) What is your motivation for religious activity? Is it possible that you participate only for what you stand to gain? Jesus, on that day, refused to allow those in the temple who were there for the wrong reasons.
God, help us this Tuesday not only to see and hear the Lamb, but to be changed by Him.
