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FIG TREE, TEMPLE, AND JUSTICE (MARK 11: 12-19)

REFLECTION 

The theme for our reflection is ‘fig tree, temple and justice’.  Today’s Scripture reading may sound strange to a casual reader of the Bible. Jesus appears to be unreasonable by cursing a fig tree because He found no fruits on it but only leaves. Again to the Jewish leaders at the temple, He acted unreasonably by interrupting a long-standing practice of people changing money and selling sacrificial animals to make it accessible to proselytes (converts of Judaism) and Jews who have come from far to celebrate the Passover at Jerusalem. 

It is important to note that fig trees were mainly harvested after the Passover it was around the Passover time that Jesus cursed the fig tree. Again, the fig tree due to the climatic conditions of the region ought to have some fruits all year round regardless of the season, however the particular fig tree Jesus cursed appeared to be fruitful from afar because it had leaves but indeed it had no single fruit although it was not the main harvesting season. (Mark 11:12-14). 

Jesus used the fig tree to illustrate the fact that the wrath of God will come upon His people if they fail to bear fruits. God will not tolerate any excuses for their inability to bear fruits. This lesson applies to everyone who is a disciple and follower of Christ. Jesus has not called us into a life of barrenness but into a life of fruitfulness. Jesus drives home the point in John 15:1-4 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” My dear friend, what kind of tree are you in the church of Christ, a fruitful fig tree or a barren fig tree? It is also worthy to note that Jesus cursed the fig tree to demonstrate the power of faith. He did not use a pruning tool to cut the fig tree. Jesus teaches us that prayer accompanied with faith causes miracles to happen. (Mark 11:20-23)

Jesus will go ahead to demonstrate the spiritual barrenness and moral decadence of the Jews by exposing the high level of corruption and injustice at the very heart of worship, the temple at Jerusalem. The chief priests and the scribes were aware of the extortion and hardship that was placed on worshippers who had come from afar to worship at the temple and to celebrate the Passover feast yet they kept quiet and did nothing about it. Animals used for sacrifice at the temple were sold to people at exorbitant prices and money changers were taking advantage of strangers who had come to worship. The Temple or religious leaders may have been beneficiaries of the unjust system and structure at the Temple because they did not discourage or stop such ungodly practices. Jesus realised that worship which must lead to spiritual growth, spiritual liberation and upliftment became burdensome and reduced into a centre of commerce, therefore “On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.  And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.” (Mark 11:15-17).  

What is the focus of the Church in Africa today, is the church more concerned about the mission of Christ, engaging in social ministry, justice and winning more souls for the Kingdom of God? or Is the church more interested in amassing wealth, building gigantic and expensive temples, making most worship services a fundraising service for which the funds are not used for active and effective missionary work and Evangelism? What will be Jesus’ reaction towards our church, will He be happy or displeased? What role or activities do we personally and collectively as a church undertake to seek the welfare of the poor and less privileged and to seek justice for them? May we Christians and the Church never become barren like the fig tree but remain relevant and fruitful in our generation. Shalom. 

PRAYER

MERCIFUL GOD, REVIVE US INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY AS A CHURCH TO FOCUS ON YOUR MISSION IN THE WORLD AND TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF YOUR BLESSINGS. AMEN.