Journey to EasterSample

Judgement and Justice

All the Gospels recall Jesus tossing out the larcenous temple traders. Matthew, Mark and Luke all place the temple cleansing at the last Passover week before Jesus’ crucifixion. John presents Jesus clearing the temple nearer to the beginning of His ministry.

Only Matthew and Mark include the harsh treatment of the fruitless fig tree. After all, it wasn’t even fig season! Context is helpful here. The region’s fig trees presented fruit well before the branches filled out with lush leaves. This tree was covered in leaves but carried no fruit, luring the hungry passers-by under false pretences. In cursing the ‘deceptive’ tree, Jesus reminds His disciples, and by extension Israel, that spiritual charlatans have no future with Him.

To the temple cleansing, Mark (Mark 11:12–25) declares Jesus’ authority in judging the fruitless tree and then the spiritually fruitless money changers.

Luke’s record (Luke 19:45–48) portrays Jesus reclaiming the role of the temple as a house of prayer, connection and learning. In fact, it was Jesus’ compelling temple teaching that foiled the priests’ initial plot to kill Him. John presents Jesus using a whip to drive out the merchants and focuses on Jesus forecasting His own death and resurrection some years later (John 2:13–22)

Jesus’ ministry was a practical life lesson in how a mature relationship with our Father inevitably results in a fruitful life. When we open the Bible daily and reserve time with God in prayer, fruit is sure to follow.

Written by DWAYNE JEFFRIES