0. Introduction
In the run-up to Easter, I'm reading the four Gospel accounts of Jesus's time in Jerusalem. I've commented on the Triumphal Entry on my Tumblr account, so let's move on to the next big events: Jesus clearing the temple of scarifices and merchandise and Jesus withering a fig tree.
John does not mention these events. Luke only refers to Jesus clearing out the temple and preaching there.
Matthew notes the scene at the temple, adding that Jesus taught a lesson on Psalm 8, whilst also commenting on the scene with the fig tree.
Mark (11.12-25) has sandwiched these two events together, which makes me think that he was trying to get us to make a connection between them. So what are the similarities and differences.
I. "We'll do anything when the time's right."
* Though Jesus was hungry, it was not the season for figs (M.12-13). Does this make his request unreasonable?
No, because Jesus had performed miracles before: he has shown that he has control over nature in several ways - the calming of the storm, the feeding of thousands of people, etc. etc. - so he deliberately uses this illstration to show that the time is not right for such a miracle to happen; again, it is an illustration. This can be compared to Jesus's words as he approaches Jerusalem in Luke 19.41-44:
"If you, even you, had known on this day what would bring you peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes." (L.19.42)
The miracle of his death and resurrection is, at the moment, hidden from the disciples - "... you did not recognise that the time of God's coming to you." (L.19.43) - Again, another reference to timing being off, God's glory not being recognised. If the disciples didn't get it yet, you can understand how far the sellers in the temple were off...
IIa. "Do you know your roots?"
* Jesus rebukes the tree for the disciples to hear(M.11.14). He knows what will happen and wants to teach them a lesson out of it. In true teacher style, he is using an illustration to show his divine authority.
We later see Jesus rebuking the sacrifice and merchendise sellers, quoting from Jerimiah: he is showing spiritual and physical authority here and he has the crowds captivated. The sellers in the temple in Jerusalem definitely had the wrong idea of religion in thier minds and this is why Jesus is so angry with them: the temple, much like today, I imagine, is a popular tourist spot and the hawkers are trying to make the most profit, preying on ... people praying ... cashing in on people's faith, including racial discrimination - not just that, but projecting a false image of God and forgiveness!
IIb. "Do you know your roots?"
* The fig tree was withered from its roots (M.11.20). This shows total destruction, but could it also be an illstration for the corruption and decay of the temple leaders? The illustration shows that if Jesus's commandments are ignored there is no hope, only destruction. It does get better, trust me ...
This destruction is mirrored in the destruction of the market and begs the question: was Jesus right to trash the temple like that? I mean, think of all the violence acts that are committed in Israel. Isn't this just another example of destructive religious zeal? Here we seen Jesus as the activist, the judge, showing ONE side of God's character (the side that we don't always want to see!). Think of Emmeline Pankhurst, Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Your Hero: people stand up for right reasons all the time - and sometimes truth hurts. Again, Jesus is using this violent scene as a lesson: he quotes from Isiah 56.7 and Jeremiah to remind the sellers of how far their own roots have rotted.
III. Faith, prayer and forgiveness
* The disciples were amazed that the fig tree had withered (no doubt they also raised an eye-brow at the scene in the temple too). Jesus tells the disciples to have faith in prayer and forgiveness (M.11.22-23). No doubt that he was preparing them for the time when their faith will be tested to the limit: Jesus's death and resurrection.
HOWEVER it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that Jesus talks about FORGIVENESS at the end of this story. This is what separates Jesus's teaching and the character of God from many acts of violence in the Middle East today: Jesus forgives the "thieves" who have committed such blatant sin in the temple in Jerusalem. A prelude to Jesus's most famous examples of forgiveness (Luke 23.34), this shows us another side of God's character: God must be the judge, but his capacity for forgiveness is unfathomable. Hallelujah.
SM
Posts
