Nougat 5

The fig is the first accessible tree we meet in the Biblical narrative of The Fall; as it covered humanity’s nakedness. As Jesus walked this earth, it seems as though the fig tree received part of humanity’s curse. But what if Mark placed the reference there with the intention of us seeing something else? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

“He said to it, “No one will ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening [to what He said]. Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple [grounds] and began driving out [with force] the people who were selling and buying [animals for sacrifice] in the temple area, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers [who made a profit exchanging foreign money for temple coinage] and the seats of those who were selling doves; [Matt 21:12-16; Luke 19:45-47; John 2:13-16]” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Who/What’s Cursed?

Mark posits that the fig tree was cursed because it operated under false pretenses. Being in leaf suggested the tree was healthy and bearing fruit. Yet, the fig tree was not living up to what its leaves promised. It wasn’t fulfilling its purpose.

Not good

We might be tempted to argue or appeal on the fig tree’s behalf, given that it wasn’t truly fig season. But if that’s all we see, we might miss another piece of the challenge. What if Mark wanted us to hear the curse of the fig tree echoing in our minds as we read of Jesus’ temple visit? He’d been to the temple before, they’d disappointed Jesus before – in fact, Jesus’ altercations with the religious elite resulted in many a plot against Him.

But this time was different

Rather than find the religious right teaching from the Torah, and about The Law and The Prophets, Jesus found a full fledged animal market in the place of prayer. In fact, it was a mini-mall! For, not only were there facilities for the meat traders and butchers, there was also space for the FX Traders (perhaps Bitcoin merchants) in the temple. And if they were selling all day, then there’d also be need for food. So there was probably a section for food vendors.

Can you imagine how full the place would have been?

No doubt, the hawking and bleating and cawing and bartering and the smells would have seeped into the worship space.

How long would it take for those smells to become embedded in the temple? For all those live animals needed hay and water and space for natural functions.

How long before the worship was overrun with hawking rather than intimacy with God?

While it was not necessarily The Sabbath, the practices were done in anticipation of sabbath worship. The temple was open, but not for God’s business.

Who authorized the sales in the enclave of the Levites? And who stood to benefit from the sales? And where was God’s glory and purpose being revealed through those practices?

Remember Eli’s sons?

They meet an early death because of their cavalier attitude to the sacrifices brought into the temple. As sons of the high priest one assumes that they were also priests. For sure they would have been exposed to the Ten Commandments, which begins with a call to reverence toward YHWH. But that reverence was sacrificed for unholy gain in the place of prayer. A direct slap in God’s face, I’d say.

And History was being repeated in the temple, alarmingly so, at that moment. The fig tree was in leaf – but without fruit!

The temple was filled with people, but none gathered in worship! What a desecration! Could it be that the fig tree’s curse was directed toward the market system built around the place of prayer?

Siblings, are we guilty of profiteering from our faith and minimizing the glory due to God? If so, let’s repent before it’s too late. When we see false prophets profiteering from the message of the Gospel of Christ, pray for their repentance and redemption, for there’s a curse attached. Exodus 20:7 alluded to that.

May we be found fruitful in season, and a blessing to others.

p.s

You might recall that that temple was also destroyed some time later; just like the fog tree – food for thought

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May all we seek be found in Christ