“The Day the Fig Tree Took a Hit” (Mark 11:1-25)

We know well the scene of Jesus entering Jerusalem for the last time riding on a colt or a donkey (marking the beginning of ‘passion week’), being honoured with cloaks and leafy branches being spread before him. Jesus would ride in as a ‘king’, but a different type of ‘king’ than many would imagine. Some would be offering Jesus the ‘red-carpet’ treatment – but how long will it last? Some would be crying out “Hosanna” – “Save Now”, but what were they really seeking, because it wouldn’t be too long before we hear “Crucify Him, Crucify Him”!

This was not the scene of a political ‘king’ entering Jerusalem to take authority from the Romans, nor a military leader charging into a city in conquest, but rather the scene of the ‘Prince of Peace’ humbly riding into the heart of religious life to make the ultimate sacrifice for humankind – this Jesus was a ‘servant king’. This was an event centuries in the making, as we shall see through Jesus’ action in the temple, and his resultant death on the cross.

Jesus was greeted with “Hosanna”, then it was that “he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple (verses 9-10 transitioning into verse 11). Jesus had gained followers and adherents around Palestine, but it was to be in the big city of Jerusalem, that he was going to have his final stand-off with the authorities who had stalked him and opposed him throughout his whole three-year ministry.

The Gospel of Mark gathers to a crescendo as Jesus approaches Jerusalem for the last time … and enters the temple. This “temple” should have shown itself to be the great symbol of a people’s intimate relationship with God, a place that showed the nation was attuned to God’s ways and purposes. Jesus had a good look around (v.11), and we know through what happened later, what he thought of what he saw!

Tomorrow was going to be a difficult, decisive day, and it was time to withdraw 3 kilometres to the SE to Bethany with his twelve disciples for the night. Next morning, Jesus again set his mind on the temple and thus headed for Jerusalem. With no McDonalds in sight to ease his hunger, Jesus noticed a fig-tree ahead of him. He was hopeful of finding some fruit to eat because of the existence of leaves on this fig-tree. [Of course Jesus’ hunger was for much more than simply food – he had a hunger for people to be truly seeking righteousness.]

There seemed on the surface to be some potential in this fig-tree for nourishment. However, when Jesus got to the fig-tree, he was extremely disappointed because there was no fruit. Even though this was not the prime season to have expected a flourishing crop (that was probably 2-3 months away), one would have thought that there would be something worth eating, or at least some sign of hope to go with the potential seen in the leaves! Alas!

Questions remain!
· Why was the comment made about this not being the season for figs, if Jesus was expecting there to be fruit?
· If it wasn’t really the season for fruit why did Jesus curse the fig-tree, potentially bringing it to its death?
· Why was such a small seemingly irrelevant incident given such prominence in the Gospel text? Is there more here than immediately meets the eye?

Jesus leaves his disciples wondering about this while he continues to head to Jerusalem. Here Jesus will take firm action concerning what he noticed the day before. In verse 15, we see Jesus driving out of the temple precincts those who were trading there (buying and selling the animals used for sacrifices under the ‘Law of Moses); overturning the seats of those selling “doves” specially mentioned. We see Jesus also overturning the tables of the money-changers [at the American Express type office]. Then Jesus started to stop people carrying their goods through the temple area. It would have been magnificent to have been there to see such proactive prophetic action! This was not a protest against Sabbath/Sunday trading … this was far more significant than that!!

What was at stake here? Two basic things!

1. There was injustice in the selling of the sacrificial animals – people were being ripped off – their need to present sacrifices (according to the Law of Moses) to feel religiously pure was being taken advantage of. They were being sold goods at inflated prices. “Doves” were specifically mentioned … why??? “Doves” were the much less expensive item that the poor were allowed to purchase for their sacrifices. So the offence here to Jesus reached its height with those who could afford it least being ripped off! The “money-changers”, there to exchange currencies into the currency required for the temple purchases, would also take advantage and rip off their customers. Jesus’ demonstrative condemnation of this corrupted trade was of course mostly aimed at those officials who let it happen and also profited from it.

2. It would seem that where these market activities were occurring was in the outer most area of the temple complex. However, this was still a major problem, because this was the only place that non-Jews were allowed to pray. Many Gentiles had been attracted towards the mono-theistic religion of the Jews; there was much to appreciate in their practice of spirituality. However, these non-Jews would be kept on the outer (due to their perceived religious uncleanness); and now the only place they were allowed to pray was completely taken up by the noise and hustle and bustle of trading.

This was all clearly NOT what God had in mind for the temple, representing the heart of religion as it did. This of course was the ‘second temple’ in Jerusalem, built on the site of Solomon’s original temple after the return from exile in Babylon during the 6th century BCE. The first temple had been destroyed by the Babylonians when, as prophets like Jeremiah saw it, the people had turned away from God, not dealing with injustice and following after other gods. Now the ‘second temple’, rather than being representative of God’s ways, was again representative of the people’s godlessness. And this ‘second temple’ was of course destined for destruction at the hands of the Romans in 70CE.

Following Jesus’ proactive action in the temple area, he confidently and courageously reminded all present of the message of their nation’s own scriptures that had at least once before been ignored (refer verse 17). This was a combination of words from Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11, which highlighted that the intention of the temple, as a symbol of the Kingdom of God, was a place of prayer for ALL people (Gentiles absolutely included), as opposed to a place where injustice dwelt and where people were robbed of the chance of fully experiencing God. Isaiah 56 (following the earlier sentiments of Solomon – 1 Kings 8:41-3) makes clear that God’s plan of salvation had always included people from all nations; and to block this plan was wholly blasphemous! The Gospel of Mark, as it developed, had shown that the mission of God was heading towards the Gentiles, and by the time this Gospel was written and read, there were countless Gentiles participating in the worshipping communities of places like Rome.

Jesus’ condemning of the temple was good news for some – the poor and the Gentile – and they were spellbound by Jesus’ teaching. But this was all very bad news for those with a vested interest in the status quo, those who could not tolerate the thought of the temple being displaced, those who refused to even consider the claims of Jesus as Son of God. Jesus’ fate is confirmed!

But what of the fig-tree – and what did that mean? Next morning, Jesus and his disciples went past that fig-tree again. And as we might have expected Jesus’ curse had led the fig-tree to be “withered away to its roots” – v. 20 (a faster result than zero weed-killer can produce). When Peter remarked upon this, Jesus responded – “Have faith in God” (v.22). Let’s revisit our earlier questions:

· Why was the comment made about this not being the season for figs, if Jesus was expecting there to be fruit, and
· If it wasn’t really the season for fruit why did Jesus curse the fig-tree, potentially bringing it to death?
· Why was such a small seemingly irrelevant incident given such prominence in the Gospel text? Is there more here than immediately meets the eye?

Jesus’ comment “for it was not the season for figs” (v.13) and his subsequent cursing, encourages the comparison between the fruitless fig-tree and the fruitless temple. In this symbolic act (and associated words), Jesus would indicate God’s displeasure with certain temple activities, and the leadership that allowed it to continue (all year round). Religious organisation that doesn’t produce good fruit (in and out of season) has the same future as the fruit tree that produces nothing of value.

There was now no hope of any serious fruit even in the right season. The time of the old temple system had passed … God had moved on. Despite its activity {the presence of leaves, if you like} which presumably indicates life, what actually occurs is completely disappointing and unfulfilling. It might as well wither away!

It is now the time of Jesus and the fruitfulness that comes through him. Now the centre-piece of religion (or, of God’s drive for relationship with people) will be Jesus himself. Jesus has shown his mastery over the temple and ritual practice, and provided true interpretation of the Scriptures. Jesus in himself represents the presence of God, the focus of redemption and salvation, and the cornerstone for the future church.

So, to “have faith in God”, as Jesus commends to Peter, will centre not on a place of observance, but rather on a person. Faith won’t just be an attitude, but rather take the form of a relationship with Jesus. Our total person is attuned to God. And just as Jesus has dealt with the fig-tree as a symbol of the end of the prominence of the temple (and Jewish exclusiveness), Jesus’ disciples can (in faith) have that sort of dramatic influence on the society around them. They will challenge injustice, they will reach out to all peoples, they will provide a spiritual home for the outcasts, and their meetings will be places of prayer.

If they were to think, as we might think, that a particular mountain is just too big to climb, or too vast to move, that the job is too hard, then they would be reminded that the prayer of faith can see that mountain not just moved but thrown into the sea. Just believe that it can be so!! There are circumstances around us that may seem as immovable as mountains … however we should not feel that they are beyond the resources and power of prayer! We pray believing in the capacity of Jesus to work around us [and through us] in totally removing mountains.

What would it look like for you if that mountain was removed? Pray, believing that God can move that mountain out of the way, and bring you to the other side!

In the context of this whole passage, we should be praying for our fruitfulness, that we will be productive for God, and that we will wisely use the collective gifts, abilities & resources we have been given, thus providing the community around us with light and hope; praying that we don’t ever look like a withered fig-tree! Faith that leads to confident prayer, also leads to fruitfulness.