Sunday, April 29, 2012 am
THE LIFE OF JESUS (24)
Early Events in His Final Week
{Cleansing the temple, Cursing the fig tree)
As
we resume our study of the life of Jesus, we are now addressing the
final week leading up to His death for our sins.
This truly is the week that changed history.
Last week, we made some observations about this portion of the
life of Jesus and discussed His Triumphal Entry into the city of
Jerusalem. The crowds were
ready to make Him their King.
This would soon wear down as Jesus began to deal with various
issues and started teaching some tough lessons.
As we noted last week, it is remarkable how that within a few
days the crowds turned from this seen of regal triumph to a tragic
condemnation as they shouted, ‘Crucify Him.’
In our lesson today, we will begin by noting some events early in
this week and make some application.
a.
Matt. 21:12-13 records
Jesus entering the temple (complex) and He drives out those who were
selling animals for sacrifices and the moneychangers (who converted
various types of currency – for a fee of course).
Jesus then quoted, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have
made it a den of thieves.’”
This quote was from Isaiah 56:7 which says, “For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations” and
Jeremiah 7:11 finds the indictment of the people for turning His house
into a den of thieves. Based
on John 2:13-22, this was not the first time Jesus had done this.
On that first occasion early in His period of teaching and
preaching we are told that His disciples remembered why He had done
this, “Then His disciples
remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.’”
(Jn. 2:17). His motives on
our occasion were probably the same.
Mark’s account of this event (Mark 11:15-19) records how the scribes and
chief priests when they heard about this sought how they might destroy
Jesus, because they feared Him and the people following Him.
b.
ONE might ask how Jesus
could get away with this.
Why didn’t they stop Him? We
are not told but consider:
i.
There is pretty good
indication that what was happening was contrary to the intent of the
temple and how these feasts were to be carried out.
The climate that had been created did NOT help set the mood for
the true purpose of the memorial.
Nehemiah records how the people were selling on the Sabbath
outside the gates of Jerusalem (Neh. 13:15-22) and thus profaning the
Sabbath and adding wrath from God.
Do you suppose that there were righteous priests and Jews who
objected to these practices and expressed their concerns, but without
being heard (i.e. ignored by those profiting from the events)
ii.
Jesus had a great
following of the masses of people who loved Him, which would have
prevented the officials from acting at that time.
It is not until a short time later when things had calmed down
and Jesus was teaching that they confront Him.
iii.
Could it be that deep
down they KNEW that what Jesus was doing was right and thus it was
difficult to resist His righteous indignation?
c.
NOTE again
that Jesus is in control.
He initiated this series of events which was the first in a
series of events this week that would lead to His crucifixion.
. His time was at
hand and He did what was necessary to expedite what needed to happen.
Earlier He had said that He would lay down His life for His sheep
(John 10:15-18).
d.
We see in this event the
passion of Jesus for God to be honored in all that we do.
i.
Under the Old Law provisions were
made for sacrifices to be purchased in Jerusalem (cf. Deut. 14:24-26) if
one had to travel on a long journey to get to Jerusalem (“the place
which the Lord your God chooses”).
ii.
But it is implied from
our text that such had been turned into a business that overshadowed the
significance of the sacrifices.
They were exploiting the occasion by taking advantage of the
people and making tremendous profits.
For these merchants, the feasts were about MONEY and not
worshipping God.
Also, according to secular history, the priests were also involved in
the business. They rented
out the stalls and spaces for profit.[1]
iii.
We understand this in
our society where many places inflate their prices because they have a
“captive audience” (i.e. airports, amusement parks and sporting venues,
etc.). It is a special
occasion and they exploit it to maximize their profits.
iv.
Now in the secular world
that is one thing, BUT when such is done in matters of religion it is
not just about greed, it is taking advantage of and exploiting those who
belong to God. That is why
Jesus called it a “den of thieves”.
e.
Lesson: How often do we
see people exploit religion for their personal gain? How often do we see
material pursuits get in the way of spiritual meaning?
i.
It is NOT unheard of for
people to prey on spirituality to make a profit.
Many of our televangelists prey on their audience with constant appeals
for more money.
Have you ever heard of a preacher charging admission to hear the gospel?
(I’m not just talking taking up a collection).
I.e. - When Joel Osteen goes “on tour” he charges admission to
hear his message.
Some seek out a church based upon social status or material wealth.
ii.
Some take advantage of
scripture by manipulating it for personal gain.
Recall that Deut. 14:24-26 DID authorize the selling of animals near the
site of the temple. I see
this as the “loophole” to justify their exploitation of the occasion.
Let us NEVER be guilty of such.
For example: Gal. 6:10 says, “As
we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are
of the household of faith.”
There have been some who have used this and other passages to
DEMAND that their brethren do something for them – i.e. fix their car,
give them money, etc. OR they “volunteer” their brethren to do something
for someone else.
Such is an abuse of our relationship as brethren.
Yes we OUGTH to help one another, but to TAKE ADVANTAGE of
someone is NOT what God meant by that text and it is manipulating
scripture for personal gain (cf. Titus 1:11, 1 Tim. 6:5 speaks of those
”who suppose that godliness is a
means of gain.”.
Consider Gal. 5:13 says, “For you,
brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use your liberty as
an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
iii.
God is insulted and even
blasphemed by such conduct.
Romans 2:17-24 describes how the Jews were hypocritical in professing to
know the law and binding it on the Gentiles, while they themselves
violated the very things they expected others to do.
Paul said, “For the name of
God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
a.
The Account – Recorded Matthew 21:18-22 & Mark 11:12-14, 20-24.
Mark places the cleansing of the temple in between His cursing
the fig tree & the disciples seeing it withered away.
We are told that at night, Jesus would go out of the city to Bethany and
lodge there (Matt. 21:17).
This event took place the morning after He entered the city, so it would
be Monday morning.
Jesus is hungry and sees a fig tree with leaves on it.
The fig trees in that region produced fruit and THEN the leaves.
So if there were leaves, the fruit should have already been
present and ripening.
However, Mark tells us it was NOT the season for figs. According to many
of the Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias, the time of fruit would be
June or later. So while the
accounts here present some difficulties, one possible explanation is
that this particular tree was blooming out of season for some reason.
It gave the appearance that it OUGHT to have fruit upon it.
But it didn’t. It was
“PRETENTIOUS” giving a false hope.
As a result, Jesus
pronounces a curse upon this tree saying, “Let
no fruit grow on you ever again.” (Matt. 21:19, Mk. 11:14) (NOTE:
This is the ONLY miracle recorded of Jesus that involved a curse)
Matthew says,
immediately the fig tree withered away.
Mark simply says the disciples heard the curse.
Mark proceed to describe the cleansing of the temple and then in
11:20-21 states that in the morning (i.e. the next morning), as they
passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from its roots.
They remarked the
incredible response of this tree.
Jesus replied in both
accounts, “Assuredly I say to you,
if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done
to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, “Be removed and
cast into the sea,’ it will be done.
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing you will
receive.” (Matt. 21:21-22)
b.
What is the significance
of this event?
Why is it recorded and what lessons do we learn from it?
To me there are at least two important lessons to learn from this: One
clearly stated in the text, the other implied based upon the timing of
the event.
i.
IMPLIED is that this
tree is representative of Israel at that time and what is about to
happen to Jerusalem and the Jewish nation.
Like this tree the nation falsely portrayed itself as healthy
from a spiritual standpoint, and perhaps the world even viewed it that
way.
BUT, there was no real fruit that was pleasing to God.
In fact, in His eyes, they were barren.
Therefore, as this tree was cursed, so would the nation of Israel
be. They would be cut off
and wither away because they rejected God.
WHY do infer from
this event that the lesson of the withered fig tree to be symbolic of an unfruitful and therefore rejected
nation?
1.
First, because that is
exactly what the scriptures teach happened.
Cf. 2 Cor. 3:11, 13 (the law was passing away), Romans 9 deals with
Israel rejecting Christ and being rejected by God because of it.
In Rom. 9:30-33 speaks of Israel’s rejection because their
“righteousness” was not “by faith”.
Instead they “stumbled at the stumbling stone.
As it is written, ‘Behold I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and
rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’”
(Cf. Isa. 28:16)
2.
We will see in our next
lesson that one of the points of emphasis in the teachings of Jesus
during this final week was the rejection of the nation of Israel.
3.
In fact, later in Matt.
21:42-44 as Jesus begins teaching about judgment (we will address this
next week) He gives a parable dealing with a vineyard and wicked
vinedressers. In conclusion
to that parable, Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God
will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it…”
etc.
4.
See also Luke 13:6-8
where we read the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree. It is the account of a
fig tree that failed to produce fruit.
The master commanded that it be cut down because it was using up
the ground. But his servant
instead tells him, “Sir, let it
alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
And if it bears fruit, well.
But if not, after that you can cut it down.”
This parable is taught as Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem (to
die) and in the midst of warnings for repentance, accountability and
alertness. From the context,
we find Jesus teaching both His disciples and very likely His critics as
well. NOTE that this
parable preceded the event we are discussing and it likely that some of
the disciples now present with Him heard that teaching.
ii.
The other lesson was
directed to the disciples and involved the power of faith.
1.
Jesus didn’t directly
answer their inquiry but instead promised them that if their faith was
as it ought to be they would be able to do works as powerful, and even
greater than, the simple cursing of a fig tree.
So there is a lesson about the faith of His disciples in this
event.
2.
Such lessons continued
to be needed as His disciples needed reassurance considering what was
about to happen.
3.
Lesson: While our faith
will not miraculously kill trees or move physical mountains (because
such miracles do not occur anymore), we still need a strong and firm
faith in God. Heb. 11:6
tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God.
James 1:5-8 reminds us that our
prayers MUST be “in faith, with no doubting” or else we will be
rejected.
Faith is at the foundation of lives as Christians (cf. 2 Pet. 1:5-7) and
it is critical if we are to serve Him.
We know this! But
does it motivate us?
4.
Lesson: In vs. 22, Jesus
ties this faith to prayer.
We need to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess. 5:17)
However, we are reminded that our prayers must be “according to
His will” – 1 John 5:14-15.
And we need to accept His answer – whatever it is (e.g. “yes”, “no”,
“yes – but not the way you asked”, “later”, etc.)
As Christians, we need
to avail ourselves of the privilege of prayer for His strength.
c.
What about Jesus cursing the tree? Was He
being cruel or unjust to destroy this tree?
Some critics think so.
Others, who see the account superficially, see such as contrary
to His usual compassionate nature.
BUT, recall that if the message of Jesus was a WARNING of doom to
a condemned nation, then His use of an inhuman object was really an act
of mercy. Someone noted that
He could have struck the Sanhedrin with blindness or even called upon
them the curse of death (which would probably have at least slowed them
down) and He would have been justified.
But He didn’t do that.
Instead, He used a tree – very public and a very noticeable act
which would have caused some to inquire as to what happened.
Then the message could be taught!
Remember: The earth and
all that is in it is here for man’s use – Gen. 1:28-30, 9:2-4, Psa.
8:4-6. What would be the
difference between this lesson and cutting it down and using it for
firewood?
Also: Sometimes, the
greatest lessons with the greatest impact involve demonstrations rather
than mere words. People
remember more of what they see than what they hear (and they remember
even more of what they both see AND hear).
Someone described this occasion as “a living parable”.
As
Jesus begins this final week, He immediately provokes intensity on all
sides. And He teaches us
valuable lessons. May we
learn these lessons and seek to apply them as we seek to please Him in
all that we do.