Am I All Leaves?

Mark 11

January 21, 2013

Am I all Leaves?

In the midst of all this action in Mark 11 there is this strange addition.  I mean the Palm Sunday procession; the clearing of the temple on Monday and the confrontation with the Pharisees on Tuesday all seem to fit together quite nicely.  But in the middle of all this is a fig tree.  At first glance, it may seem strangely out of place.

So why does Jesus take the time to care about whether a fig tree has fruit on it or not?  Is He really that hungry for the stuff that fills Newtons or is there something more to it?  OK, since I’m a guy who researches these kinds of things, I can let you know that in the Old Testament, the nation of Israel is depicted metaphorically as a fig tree. That begins to make sense, but if think I’m going to lead you off into a path of theology as deep and confusing as trying to unravel the politics of the Middle East today, do not fear.  That’s not what these NT 5.1 postings are all about.

But what does the fig tree have to do with triumphal entries, temple clearings, and verbal sparring?  I think it comes down to the word - “purpose.”  What is the purpose for the fig tree?  What is the purpose for a colt that’s never been ridden?  What is the purpose of Pharisees and religious leaders?  What is the purpose for the coming of Jesus?

Without a doubt in my mind, we have to begin with the last question.  Jesus told us just one chapter back: “For even the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)  Everything in this chapter smacks of that purpose.  The big Palm Sunday parade lined up with people shouting: “Hosanna” (or translated “Lord, save us!”)  The colt that’s never ridden before is one dedicated to the Lord, and the Lord receives this gift from the unnamed source. 

But in the middle of all this purpose talk are a group of men who just don’t get it.  The purpose of these religious leaders is to love God and love His people – and yet they seem to love their status, their power, and most of all themselves more than the purpose for which they were chosen.  Their purpose is to love God’s Word and love sharing it with God’s people – and yet they twist and turn it in the directions that will support their status, their power, and their love for themselves.  In other words, they are trees full of leaves, but lacking any fruit. 

All I know is that I don’t want to be a tree full of leaves - devoid of the very fruit for which I was born.  I don’t want to blow past my purpose in the life God’s given me, and settle for empty fruit of status, power and self-centered love.  So my prayer this day is to hear a different kind of Word from Jesus.  I want to hear a Word of life, of grace, of forgiveness, of assurance.  He has that kind of Word for me and for you.  I know He does. After all, He came here for that very purpose.