Chapter 3.

Holy Monday

 

 

Jesus Used a Fig Tree

As a Teaching Tool.

 

In the morning, about 51 hours before He would be nailed to His Cross, Jesus led His disciples back toward the Temple in Jerusalem.  He still had much to say.  He decided to teach His team two lessons apart from the Temple crowd.  He used a fig tree to illustrate both points.  As we shall see, He verbalized one of these lessons; the other, He planted in the hearts of the Apostles.  After His Resurrection and return to Heaven, they comprehended the second lesson.

 

It was the first day of April, a beautiful, Spring morning.  Jesus was hungry.  The team would buy breakfast in the markets of the city.  Up ahead, Jesus saw a fig tree on a slope near the road.  He knew it had no fruit on it, but to draw the attention of the disciples to it, He said, “I’m hungry,” and walked to the tree.

 

Some of the disciples wondered why Jesus was looking for figs at that time of the year.  But, even in early Spring, one may find something edible on a fig tree.  It puts forth its fruit buds as it puts forth its leaves, and some folks eat the buds.  And occasionally, figs from last year’s production cling to their branches and desiccate there.  These too, may be eaten.  But, no buds and no dried figs were on this tree.  It showed no signs of bearing fruit.

 

Matthew says ...

Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.  And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.  (Matthew 21:18-19)

 

The Amplified Bible renders this verse thusly ...

... as He saw one single leafy fig tree above the roadside, He went to it but He found nothing but leaves on it [seeing that in the fig tree the fruit appears at the same time as the leaves]. And He said to it,  Never again shall fruit grow on you! And the fig tree withered up at once.

 

Matthew adds ...

... when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!  (Matthew 21:20)

Mark states ...

... on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.  (Mark 11:12-14)

 

 

 

Jesus Said,

“Pray Without Doubt.”

 

The disciples were amazed by the miraculous withering of the fig tree.  Jesus used the moment to teach them the importance of praying with confidence. 

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

(Matthew 21:21-22)

 

 

 

Jesus Implied,

“Israel Is Spiritually Dead.”

Jesus did not verbalize the second lesson we take from the barren fig tree.  Early Christians saw it as a picture of the Old Covenant between God and Israel.  Those comprising that Covenant were not evangelizing the world.  They were not saving souls.  And, they hated Jesus, their Messiah.  The Old Covenant was not producing fruit.  Therefore, it would wither away.  The Church, a new movement springing out of Israel, the New Covenant between God and Man, would take the Gospel to the world.  It would be fruitful.  It would lead many souls into the glories of Heaven. 

 

 

 

Jesus Cleansed the Temple,

Again.

 

Jesus returned to the roadway.  He and His adherents proceeded to the Temple.  As He entered the complex, He saw that the sacrifice-animal vendors and the moneychangers were back in business.  The religious rulers did not want to miss the copious profits the market generated during Passover season.

 

Again, Jesus glared at the moneychangers and the merchants.  Again, He formed a whip from some ropes lying on the floor.  Again, He thundered with authority and drove the animals into the streets and freed the doves.  The merchants fled too.  Again, the coins of the moneychangers clattered on the stone floor.

 

This was the third time Jesus cleansed the Temple of this wicked enterprise.  And, this time He added another rule to His proclamation of proper Temple usage – He forbad using the Temple’s porches and patios as a shortcut for moving commercial materials through the city.  Apparently, some merchants and workers were doing so.  For sure, the chief priests and other rulers of Israel heard of His forceful actions promptly.  Their hatred for Jesus spiked.

... they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 

(Mark 11:15-16)

 

 

 

Jesus Proclaimed the Gospel

In the Temple.

 

When the riotous expulsion of the animals and the merchants was over, and quiet returned to the Temple, Jesus proclaimed the Gospel.

... he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.  (Mark 11:17)

 

John gives us a summary of the points Jesus made that day:

 

1.  “I and My Father are One.”

 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on 

 me, believeth not on me, but on him that 

 sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that 

 sent me.  (John 12:44-45)

 

2.  “I came to bring spiritual enlightenment to

 this world.”

 I am come a light into the world, that

 whosoever believeth on me should not abide

 in darkness.  (John 12:46)

 

3.  “I’m not here to judge the world at this time.

 In the last days (the days following My

 Crucifixion) you will be judged by the words

 I have spoken.  Do you believe My words or

 reject them?”

... if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.  (John 12:47-48)

 

4.  “My Message is from the lips of the Father.”

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.  (John 12:49-50)

 

 

 

Jesus’ Enemies Wanted Him Dead.

 

While Jesus taught in the Temple, the chief priests and elders of Israel were in a murderous mood.  They were incensed that Jesus had chased their merchants from the Temple again.  He had stifled their income.  He had revealed their corruption.  They wanted Him dead.  But, they were paralyzed by their fear of the many people who loved Jesus and reverenced Him.

... the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.  (Mark 11:18)

 

 

 

Jesus Returned to Bethany.

 

So, while His enemies dithered, Jesus taught in the Temple, freely, until dusk.

... when even was come, he went out of the city.

(Mark 11:19)