Today I must confess that my Bible knowledge is lacking. After re-reading the "Triumphal Entry" accounts in the Gospels, I was suprised to discover that Jesus goes on to live and preach for four more days. Growing up, I always assumed that the events of Easter were as follows: Jesus enters Jerusalem, He washes the disciples feet, He prays in the garden, Judas betrays him, and so on. I had no idea that he went around preaching, teaching, and performing more miracles before all the rest of the major Easter events. I thought he had completed his ministry before going to Jerusalem. Boy was I wrong! ( I blame this lack of knowledge on "The Victor" play put on every year by College Church. :) Just kidding.) But although I'm a bit embarassed at my ignorance, I must say it's exciting. I love that I am able to go through these next couple of days reading about what Jesus did do leading up to what I already think I know. Now, just as a disclaimer, I have read passages from the Gospels all my life, but if I've ever read them straight through, I wasn't making a mental note of their placement in Jesus' ministry. I've already discovered a lot, and it's nice to put the accounts in a mental timeline. I would venture to say, that what He chose to teach about during His last days on earth, is probably crucial to our faith, and I can't wait to read on. I know, you're probably all thinking "duh Courtney," but that's the great thing about re-reading scripture- God can speak through it over and over again, and reveal new truths through it!
So, today I read about what Jesus did after entering Jerusalem. After arriving with a throng of people and excitement, He goes straight to the temple, and He's not happy. (See, I thought He had already done this, but apparently, this is the second time He has cleared the temple. Can't people get a hint! :) As He enters the temple, merchants and money changers are set up everywhere, selling and making deals with all who have come to worship God. Jesus is angry. Here these greedy, low-life dealers are turing a profit in God's house. They have competely disrespected God, His temple, and the people who have come to worship Him. So, Jesus does what any good son would do, He puts an end to their little party. "It is written" he proclaims "My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a robber's den." Matthew 21:13 And, He throws them all out, even the people buying the stuff!
I think the message from this is pretty obvious. God's house is holy, a place of worship and respect for God and each other. Let's keep it that way.
The next day, Jesus becomes hungry. Upon finding a fig tree, Jesus proceeds to curse it for not bearing any fruit. At his very words, the tree withers and dies. Now, I've always found it odd that Jesus just decides to curse this poor little tree, but of course, His actions always have a reason. Just as the fig tree produced no fruit, so can the lives of religious people produce no fruit. From afar, the tree appeared healthy, full of life, but, upon inspection, it was useless.
Hmmmm... sounds a lot like us doesn't it? How often do we appear like Christians on the outside, but our actions produce no fruit? James took this concept and put it so simply "Faith without works is dead." James 2:20
I hope that Jesus will be able to look at me and see lush, healthy, fruit, not a useless facade. May we pray that He will take our faith and help us put it into action....that He will prune, water, and fertizle our souls, and that the result will be luscious, juicy, God-glorifying-filled fruit.
(Just a side note- fig trees took three years to begin producing fruit..just sayin..all good things take time)
Mmm I really like fruit. :)
Can't wait to see what I'll read about tomorrow!
Love.
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