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Withered
March 29th, 2010
The Scriptures are a little vague as to what Jesus did on his last mortal Monday. All we know is this:
Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Matthew 21:18-19 (King James Version)
Eh. I don’t really like figs anyway, except in their natural Newton form. Go here and read this Read ShoeShe’s comment (the first one) for a much better explanation about why Jesus cursed this tree. Do any of my bible scholar friends have other theories?
That is all we know he did on his last Monday, but he has a huge to-do list for Tuesday, so he may have just been resting up for what was to come.
Filed under faith | Comments (7)7 Responses to “Withered”
Does anyone else find it appropriate for Passion week that this particular act was Jesus’ only miracle that resulted in destruction rather than restoration?
Okay…I’m going to give you my “I’m-probably-reading-way-too-much-into-this-I-should-not-comment-here” explanation, and you all can take it with a grain of salt. This is my interpretation, based on my limited Biblical expertise (I in no way, shape or form have ever claimed to be a Bible scholar).
Mark’s account of the fig tree begins one story, interjects with another story, resolves the other story, and then ends the first story.
What we see are two parallel stories…
Jesus first approaches the fig tree, fully expecting to find fruit there. If any tree were going to bear fruit, one full of leaves would “certainly” bear fruit. Finding no fruit, Jesus responds in righteous anger!
Likewise, Jesus enters the temple, fully expecting to find fruit there. If any place is going to produce spiritual fruit, the temple “certainly” would. Finding no fruit, Jesus again responds in righteous anger!
The fig tree, then, is a parable depicting judgment…but judgment to whom/on whom?
The tree had leaves, so one would expect it to have fruit. Jesus expects to see fruit, but is disappointed when he finds none. The tree was “pretending” to bear fruit. What a great picture for thousands of so-called “believers” today!
We pretend to bear fruit with our outward appearances.
Sure…we wear the cross around our neck…we hang crosses on our walls…we wear Christian t-shirts…we stick cute, little fish on our cars…and we may even listen to Christian music. What happens when someone cuts us off in traffic? Are we all of a sudden blissfully unaware of the fish on our bumper as we honk and curse (even if only in our heads, so as not to make our toddlers repeat offensive language)?
What’s the warning? The warning is not for nonbelievers! The warning is for us! The warning is for Christian “pretenders.” It isn’t enough to go through the motions…we have to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God…We have to be the example for nonbelievers. We have to make our lives worship to our only God who is worthy and faithful and just. That is our job.
We are to produce “fruit” by being that example, and by offering ourselves as witness to those who need us. How do you think people become Christians? It is not by osmosis! It is a journey…a process. Yes, some of us are blessed with Christian homes and parents to guide us along our journey, but it is a personal decision, and we need not judge those who have yet to make that personal decision. We need to encourage them in brotherly/sisterly love, offer prayer on their behalf, love them and be an example to them.
And, I’ll jump off my soapbox…now.
I agree with Shoeshe that this is the call for us to bear fruit in our lives to be found worthy of the kingdom. So many get caught by the misunderstanding that accepting Christ is the only thing required of us. A true acceptance must lead to acts of faithfulness so the fruits of our labor is apparent.
Shoeshe says it so much better. The most important thing is that we live our lives allowing no offense to man, so they may observe our lives and desire to live likewise. Since the world is watching please take your fish off your bumper if you practice acts that would be offensive to others, particularly others who don’t yet know Christ.
um, are you specifically referring to my fish? ’cause I like it and it reminds me that I am a witness though my actions.
Also, Shoeshe will you please tell me again why you are not in seminary and writing Christian curriculum.
Oh, certainly not anyone in particular. I’m talking to anyone who reads this that is conflicted that their aggressive driving is not in accord with a Christian walk. Please do not take offense.
Seminary…yeah…so at some point I still see myself headed in that general direction. For now, I’m praying about it. I don’t want to jump into the deep end without my floaties yet. I know that’s silly. I’m too big to need the floaties, but there’s something comforting about their grip. It’s not that I want to float easily along or anything like that, but I know that going to seminary will be a BIG step…and I’m not fully prepared for that step at this time.
Also, I do keep a journal, and when I think of things to write about, I write about them. So, I’m constantly writing…just not curriculum…per se. Though I do use some of my writing in Sunday school quite frequently with the kids I teach.
I also wasn’t referring to “your” fish when I made the comment about the fish on bumpers of cars…just for clarification.
Hey You,
Thanks for the repeat of the Holy Week posts. I really appreciated them! They help center my thoughts.
E-mail me or text me to let me know what time I should be at your house Friday…and if there is a Good Friday service involved.