0 Comments
It’s Monday.
You are awakened by the slightest stir in the house where you have all slept. You see his silhouette in the moonlight as he slips out of the doorway and into the early morning. You’re the only one awake and as you lay there you replay the day before…the walk to Jerusalem, finding the colt and it’s mother just as Jesus had said, the ceremonial entry into the city with cloaks and palm branches being waved and laid before the procession. It felt like we were a part of something big yesterday, didn’t it? There were huge crowds in the city and we were in the middle of the attention. But when we got to the temple late in the day the tone of the day changed. Jesus seemed quiet. Sad. Angry? Disappointed. He walked all around the temple area. He looked into the eyes of those there in the temple courts. He watched their dealings. He didn’t speak; he just walked. What does all of this mean? There are so many questions. It seems as though there is a different feel about this week. Jesus is…, there’s a look in his eye that…his touch seems…I don’t know how to put this, except that something big is happening. He’s always focused but if possible there is an increased intensity. “Everybody ready? Let’s go", smiles Jesus gently. We leave Bethany, which means “house of figs” and we’re headed back to the city. We’ll take the same road as yesterday. It should take us about 45 minutes or so to get there. It’s a nice morning. The sky is blue and there is a gentle breeze. “I love this time of year!” Everything’s budding and on the verge of blooming—creation’s whispered promise of new life. Jesus is still quiet. He’s in the front of the group today; a few steps in front of everyone else, leading the way and setting the pace. As you lift up your head from watching your own feet you notice that Jesus has stepped off the path and is walking toward a fig tree. Though he had gotten up earlier than anyone else he probably didn’t eat, which isn’t unusual for him. Maybe he spotted some early fruit on one of the trees, since its not really the time for figs to be ready. He pulls back the leaves but there is no fruit to pluck, and what you hear surprises you. He cursed the fig tree…he’s actually speaking to the tree: “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” He turns and without a word sets his face toward Jerusalem. He just cursed a fig tree because it didn’t have any fruit! You're confused. What’s going on with him? He knows that figs aren’t typically ripe and ready at this time of year, doesn’t he? This is going to be a strange day. Thaddeus drops back to join you: “Why don’t you ask the Teacher what that was all about?” You give him a look that says, there is no way that I’m going there right now. Thaddeus grins. Jesus picks up the pace. When we get to the city we don’t stroll through the streets. We don’t stop and talk with anyone along the way. Jesus heads straight to the temple. His gait is determined and his gaze is fixed. What happened next? Well, you should have been there! It was the most amazing display of confidence, strength, truth and justice—in a word: Authority. Jesus began to overturn carts and tables. Pigeons flew free; coins were rolling and clanging all over the temple courts. The vendors were yelling threats and curses as Jesus left no stone unturned. He stood with his whip at the place that people on business had begun to irreverently and habitually use as a shortcut to the other side of the city. His glare alone caused them to circumnavigate the temple court. He was not out of control. He was in complete control. He was in control of the temple. He was in control of the people. He was in complete control of himself. He was not a raging lunatic. He was in total control of his righteous anger. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Jesus had seen it all the evening before. The corruption. Vendors of sacrificial goods you have made it a den of robbers.” What a day! We stayed there in the temple courts all day. Word of what had happened spread all over the city. The religious leaders were furious. The crowds were curious. So this is Jesus; this is the man everyone has been talking about. They had never seen or heard anyone like him. He spoke with such power and authority. All day long we noticed small gatherings of the scribes, priests and other religious leaders huddling in pockets of whispered conversations. Their brows were furrowed in anger. Their fists unconsciously clenched in hatred. Their eyes squinted and teeth gnashed. You could feel the tension growing in the city. “Something has to be done to put this troublemaker in his place—he’s dangerous; but it is going to be tricky. He’s clearly won the favor of the crowds and to do anything drastic could backfire and incite a riot. We need a plan.” Jesus saw them. He was unmoved. He seemed to know what they were whispering and plotting. He was unyielding. We stayed there all day. It was if he was saying—“This is my house. This is my place. I will set all things right.” As evening approached we returned to Bethany for the night. Exhausted, sleep comes quickly for all of us. |
Archives
December 2021
Categories
All
|