The Monday after Palm Sunday. was Jesus in a bad mood?
One story in the New Testament sticks out like a sore thumb and that is the Fig Tree episode. It can be found at Matthew 21 verses 18 and 19
18 Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
Why would Jesus curse that tree? It was in full foliage but with no fruit as it was not the season. So was it the trees fault that it had no fruit? Why curse it?
I think Jesus used it as an example of people who promise a lot but deliver nothing. The non seasonal green foliage of the fig tree held out a promise of fruit but there was none. Complete hypocrisy!
This symbolism today extends to all believers, demonstrating that genuine faith is more than just outward religiosity; true, living faith must bear spiritual fruit in a person's life.
This was further underlined by His reaction in the temple that Monday, when He threw out the tradesmen operating on the temple premises.
Many of us today can learn a lesson from that fig tree and the temple cleansing. Jesus's anger was righteous anger knowing that 4 days later He would be sacrificed for these very people who were hypocrites, defiling Gods House and pretending to be God fearing and God loving. Knowing that the very people who welcomed Him yesterday, would be baying for His blood. Knowing His sacrifice was seemingly in vain.
How sad and broken would Jesus have been Knowing that?
2200 years later that question is still valid: We need to ask ourselves this Monday, are we making Jesus angry and sad or making Him smile?
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