Matthew 21: 18 - 27
The text grabs us with an early morning event of Jesus and a Fig Tree.
The day before in Jesus’ life he had entered Jerusalem by way of a parade—and then entered the Temple turning it upside down. It was no doubt a long day for Jesus.
There was a bit, one reflection earlier, I did not point out. In verse 14 it says the lame and blind came to him in the Temple. That was breaking the rules (2 Samuel 5:8). Yet the Son of God welcomes them.
The intensity of the Chief Priests and others against Jesus is reaching a new level; soon it will be at fever pitch.
I wonder if his mind was thinking of them as he comes across this Fruitless Fig Tree.
A few folks have issues with Jesus taking such action against what they perceive is a defenseless scrub. Doing so misses the point.
This event is an “acted out parable”. Consider him riding into Jerusalem on a colt, and him cleansing the Temple. This is Jesus, communicating through events, deep truths with more than words. He is using visual actions.
The Fig Tree is a symbol for the people of Israel. They are to bear the fruit of God: love and mercy and obedience. Jesus, heavy with the Cross that awaits him, knows that the nation is fruitless. He has just had a day of coming face to face with the Chief Priests.
Weeks, maybe months ago, Jesus set his face towards Jerusalem. As he approached, he fed and taught and healed. At every turn the religious had issues with him. They constantly challenged him.
Now, as he has arrived in Jerusalem, he finds the “guys at the top” do not understand all that the Father is doing through him.
Jesus is not surprised by their action. He is God come to earth.
Yet he is also fully human. So when they do not “get it”, I wonder what his internal emotions were. He certainly realizes the attitude from “the top” is pervasive.
What he has found is simply a lot of religion. You might say a lot of “leaves” and no “fruit”. Leaves = nominal religion not faith. It takes faith to produce fruit.
As he enters the Temple again, he is immediately accosted by the Chief Priests and Elders asking him about his authority. They either cannot, or will not, accept him. His question about John the Baptist exposes them.
They know exactly where John came from. He was from God. A true prophet. Their answer exposes their lack of integrity and their unwillingness to repent.
And here is “the deal”. Repentance is a precondition to Believing in Jesus.
It isn’t only the folks at the top (although it may be harder for them). It is all of us. We all must, when we come face to face with Jesus.