Passion Week - Holy Monday

"Since no man is excluded from calling upon God the gate of salvation is open to all. There is nothing else to hinder us from entering, but our own unbelief."  - John Calvin

Skipping breakfast, Jesus and his disciples departed from Bethany early in the morning. While on the way to the city (Jerusalem), Jesus noticed a fig tree with a full canopy of leaves, which was unusual for this time of year. This sign meant the promise of an early crop of figs.(Mark 11:13).

Approaching the tree they found no figs, only leaves. Jesus then cursed the fig tree for the hypocrisy it symbolized (in relation to Israel's spiritual deadness), before he and the disciples continued along along their way.

Upon entering Jerusalem again, Jesus repeated his cleansing of the Temple (the first cleansing occurred in John 2:11-16). The first cleansing took place at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. However, the abuses had slowly made their way back.

Under the guise of following the letter of the law, a system of money exchange was established where the Roman coin could be exchanged for the Jewish half shekel in one of the outer courts. This provided an opportunity for fraudulent and oppressive behavior toward the poor.

In addition, greedy dealers had been permitted set up stalls and cages within the Temple area to conveniently offer doves and other sacrificial animals there. Jesus proceeded to drive them out unchallenged, popular moral sense being on his side (Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15; Luke 19:45).

The people "hung upon his words" (Luke 19:48) as he taught to them, the extremely active day slowly drawing to a close, finding Jesus still Master of the Temple. When evening came, he returned to Bethany with his disciples, spending the night with friends.

Interestingly, the following morning, on their way back from Bethany, they saw the fig tree had already withered. Jesus used this occasion of the Temple cleansing and the cursing of the fig tree to teach a lesson (Mark 11:20-25).

The useful piece of practical information here was that Jesus was announcing His impending judgment of Israel while showing His power to deliver on it. It also makes clear that just being religious, without producing the fruit of real salvation in our lives, is not enough to guarantee it.

Finally, a quick note about the placement of the cursing of the fig tree, and the cleansing of the Temple in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. The fact is, some parts of the Gospels were written in topical order instead of chronologically.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16 ; Romans 10:17; Colossians 1:20; John 14:1; Ephesians 2:8

Prayer: Dear LORD, may we be nourished and sustained through Your goodness, and may we receive everything that is necessary and useful to us by Your hand. Amen

Be blessed!

Naomi