Yesterday, Jesus encountered a fig tree on his way to the
Temple. Although it isn’t the season for figs, he went looking for figs anyway.
Not finding any, he cursed the tree saying, “May no one ever eat fruit from you
again.” Then, he turned everything in the Temple on its ear.
After a raucous Monday, Jesus and his disciples return to
the Temple Mount. They pass the tree Jesus curse and find it has withered to
its roots. Now the disciples take note of what he said to the tree yesterday.
In the Temple courtyard, the chief priests, scribes, and
elders of the people begin to ask Jesus all sorts of questions to trip him up.
They question his authority and his teaching, but he answers them in parables
and riddles. He quotes scripture in ways that make no sense to them.
On the side, he teaches his disciples about forgiveness. He
points out the example of a poor widow who gives to the Temple treasury from
her whole self; all she has to live on. He warns them to be wary of those with
power.
As they leave the Temple Mount, the disciples turn and
admire the buildings of Jerusalem and the Temple looming large on the horizon.
Jesus says these buildings are nothing at all, and will one
day be left in rubble. He speaks again about his coming death and the signs of
the end of things. These things are nearer than anyone realizes, yet no one
seems to notice.
Jesus speaks from the heart of the city about what it means
to be spiritual in economic, political, and social realms. Like the fig tree,
people are expected to produce fruit out of season. Specifically, they are
expected to forgive and to give everything they have for the sake of others. They
are expected to live as citizens of God’s empire, even as they navigate life in
Caesar’s empire. If they don’t, they and the whole world will be a cursed
place. No one understands what he’s saying. The Temple courtyard has been
cleared, and he has explained everything well, but that doesn’t mean people’s
minds and hearts have been cleansed.
Text for the day:
Things to think
about:
We are called to produce fruit out of season.
Things to do:
Go out of your way to do something kind and selfless for
someone else today.
Jesus,
move me to action.
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