Why is Jesus looking for figs out of season? I’m not mad when I can’t get a good red strawberry in March—they are just out of season and I’ll have to wait. No hard feelings, you juicy little strawberries! We’ll meet again in summer. But Jesus sees the fig tree advertising with some glorious fiddle-y leaves and He assumes that those leaves promise fruit. Alas, the promise of fruit on this tree is an empty one.
Okay, could we still be on good terms with a strawberry plant even if she were adorned in dark, waxy green leaves in early spring? Yup. No problem. I’d likely think it was strange, share the protein bar packed in my pocket with companions, and keep on hiking. So why was Jesus so disappointed in the fig tree, even angry at it?
If you read the immediately following verses, the judgment of the fig tree is a direct parallel to the judgment of the temple. In each case, God’s wrath is visited upon self-righteous hypocrisy, on those who feign life, but are empty of it. The appearance and the substance were in conflict; just like the temple in Jerusalem, it had the show of fruitfulness but was in fact barren.
We are all prone to boast good things, but less prone to deliver. And Jesus has our number: “You’ll recognize them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16). Just as we ought to hunger and thirst after righteousness, so Christ as our Lord, hungers and thirsts to see righteousness borne out in our lives (Matthew 5:6). It is the fruit He is looking for. To find instead a vain and hypocritical show of faith, a surface religion, a pretended devotion, and hidden behind it a false and worldly heart, is an affront to His Lordship.
This is also a destructive act from the hand of Jesus, which is telling, as it should signify to us that which most stirs His righteous anger. The temple of our hearts is to be full of prayer, full of His Word, full of the Spirit of Christ. The temple of our hearts can too easily become a den of thievery, stealing the benefits of the gospel for our own gain, a showy righteousness that draws the applause of men, the lining of our own pockets, and the preening of our own pride.
We can look gorgeously leafy from afar, yet up close we are shrivelled and dry. But He is our spring of hope. With Him, our fruit looks like worship, obedience, and prayer. We ought to be full of juicy, bright fruit for the Lord. Whether we’re feeling like dry husks or like new blossoms, we don’t have to produce fruit out of thin air. Jesus is our source of life.
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52 thoughts on "Monday: Jesus Cleanses the Temple"
Dorothy – I am so sorry to hear about your niece and your accident. Lifting you up to the Restorer of all things. That He mend your heart and body and that He would fill you with His peace. Surrender to His goodness and mercy – He has you in the palm of His hand! Sending you love and hugs this day!
Wow wow wow. Yes! Too often we are more about the showyness and not about his Gloryness! I know it’s now a word but it fits. Thank you Jesus for speaking truth into us!
I always thought this passage was about the Church when in fact it’s about me as an individual… that hits hard!! Lord, convict us and bring us closer to you!
This was beautiful and well needed.
This hit me hard tonight! It challenged me to think about the fruit I’m bearing or not bearing. I’m praying to have an authentic faith, not a facade of what I want others to perceive.
Our hearts can become a den of thievery, stealing the benefits of the gospel for our own gain…I don’t like to admit it but a lot of the time I have trouble accepting the whole bible and all of its lessons. I question my faith sometimes when reading the Old Testament because it’s not all good virtuous things. But I need to realize that’s why Jesus came to change that so we can all live better, more God-serving lives. Lord help me to learn and understand all of your teachings. Help me to accept your truth and the entirety of your gospel.
I love how this passage was explained! It finally makes sense. I pray that I would produce good fruit for the Lord.
I’m standing in prayer with you Courtney and I’m praying for you and your family Dorothy. God is faithful. The comments today are next level!! Thank You God for wisdom and for women who are filled with the fruit of the Spirit.
“ The temple of our hearts is to be full of prayer, full of His Word, full of the Spirit of Christ.” Wow!! This was my prayer this morning. I’m overwhelmed right now. Full of hope.
I really needed this today. I told you about my niece dying well yesterday I was in a car accident. No one was hurt but my car maybe totaled. The other person ran a red light and I hit her. All I’ve been saying is “But God why,” then I hear my father say “God has a reason for everything and you will find out in time what it is — in God’s time not our time.” So I continue on trying my hardest to function and praying and keeping my head on start. God help me through these troubling times. Help me to find joy in this hardship. Amen
Dear Sisters:
During this holy week, as I pray for those suffering from Covid-19 and all who are on the front lines of this disease, I raise my hands and heart in love and thanksgiving to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who suffered and sacrificed everything so that we might one day have eternal life with Him in heaven. That is where my hope lies in what, to the world, might appear to be a hopeless situation. Oh, But God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, today, I pray that we join together, as daughters of Christ, and show the world “the reason for the hope that is in us.” (1Peter 3:15)Stay hopeful, joyful and thankful that we serve a GREAT God, sisters!!!
Amen! Exactly the words I needed to hear.
Do you wonder if Jesus being physically hungry (hangry) gives his spiritual vision to the desperate need for the church at that moment… the week of his death and resurrection. Jesus is an inclusive God. He meets us right where we are and it is out of Him, His love, His faithfulness that we bear fruit. Isaiah verse 8 is so promising and full of hope. Let’s all be trees that bear His fruit. When believers new and old draw near to us let there be fruit for their spiritually hungry souls to stay nourished. His holy word, prayer, confession, serving others, and fellowship
What a wonderful “ah-ha!” moment you blessed me with this morning. Thank you!
Jenna, AMEN!!! I love how you put that!
Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law
Do you have these in this time?
Pursue relationship with God to get these if you don’t have them.
Wow, I’ve never heard this explained more perfectly. Thank you
I’m thankful that God doesn’t let us keep up appearances and the pretense of godliness but He exposes the lies in our heart. I’m also thankful that when we face the reality of the condition of our hearts, He is gracious to save and sanctify us. He is the vine and we are the branches. If we remain in Him, we will bear much fruit.
Love the connection between the fig tree and the temple! Praying the Lord would prune the shriveled leaves in me and that he would produce his fruit instead. Also prayer request, my brother-in-law and I were messaging yesterday, and he told me his beliefs. I wasn’t exactly sure if he was a Christian, and he said he aligns with liberal Christianity. I was not very familiar with it until I researched it more. I don’t want to say too much in case some SRT sisters align with it too, but I know that I do not. My main thing is I want to know if he believes in Jesus as his Savior first and foremost and in the Bible, because I am more concerned with his spiritual alignment than his political. I have been wanting to know that for awhile, so I guess it’s time. Please pray that God will speak through me, for peace and strength, and that this would not hinder our relationship. Love you all!
I find this passage on the fig tree more applicable now than ever. Not only with our spiritual self, but physical as well. With the virus going around, the way to arm ourselves physically is by treating our bodies like the temples they are for our God. By feeding it nourishing foods that heal our gut and strengthen our immune systems. By casting stress and worries on our so loving God! We may look healthy on the outside yet if we are consuming junk food everyday and stressing over things we cannot (should not) control we are just like that fig tree. We need to be the same with our spiritual bodies, feeding them the word of the Lord and staying steadfast in prayer and relying on our Savior (no one or thing else) so we are truly capable of bearing fruit and reflecting His love!
I get it!! Oh my gosh I feel like a little kid or a student when you finally “get it!” As I read the first few verses of our passage in Mark regarding the fig tree and after reading a few for sentences of Rebecca’s devotional, I get it! From far away just as the fig tree, we may look glorious and beautiful and fruitful, but what do we look like as someone draws closer and see’s us for who we really are. Ouch! I would hope that they see Jesus especially right now that we are all going through the very same thing, together. What am I looking like when I go out to the grocery store or run errands. Am I frustrated? Mad? I see the eyes of the employees at the grocery store and the employees at In N Out burger. They are doing the best they can to serve us! Let’s thank them for “a-job-well-done.”
They are on the front lines doing the best to serve us.
Goodness! This was written especially for me today! I’ve been “bingeing” on studying God’s Word—to the point of not praying, not paying attention to my house, to anything else. I know there are plenty of worse things that could capture my attention. But not prayerfully considering His Word makes me a barren gig tree. My devotion from yesterday was on the Shield of Faith. Today’s reading just emphasized what I tried to put behind me yesterday.
Kathy, my prayers for your daughter, Sara, and the baby, along with Will, her husband are such: Father in heaven, I bring to you, the one who is our Healer, Provider and Protector, Sara and the baby as they go through the labor and deliver today. Please grant them a safe birth. And whatever the struggle there may be, I pray you give Sara, Will, Kathy and the other grandparents and family the peace that passes all understanding! In your name, Jesus, I pray these things. Amen.
I had never related this passage to my heart but now, well!! I’ll never be able to read it without serious self examination again! Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Amen. Me too
In reading these Scriptures and the devotion, I’m reminded of the many times I’ve asked the Lord if I am bearing fruit for him. Being homebound for over 12 years because of a debilitating (and isolating) illness, it can be difficult to see if there is any fruit coming from this wilderness. One thing the Lord has shown me is that I can confuse spiritual gifts with spiritual fruit. Because I can’t “do” as much as other Christians, if I’m not careful, I will assume there is little fruit on this branch called, me. I need to go back to Galatians 5:22-23 to be reminded what the fruit that pleases God is. Even in the context of prayer and worship, the real question is do I do it out of love, love for my God and love for my neighbor? Is there joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control growing in increasing increments? I am grateful for the times the Lord shows me the fruit that has already began to grow as well as showing me anything, any sin, that may be hindering that growth. Thank you, Lord, for your amazing grace that as we abide with you and you abide with us, we will bear much fruit! Amen.
This devotion made me think about the verses in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So honor God with your body.”
I am so glad that Jesus is my spring of hope. My responsibility is worship, obedience, and prayer and He even provides me the power to do that.
This community is so good at covering each other in prayer. Please pray for my daughter and son-in-law, Sara and Will. Sara is expecting their first baby (my third grandchild!!) She will be induced tonight. It’s a scary time to be having a baby, but it’s such a beautiful picture of God’s hope and grace. Pray for a safe, uneventful labor and a healthy baby. I will keep you posted.
Praying now!
This is very powerful. Calling to the fact that we can’t just look godly on the outside, it has to followed up on the inside as well in what we’re producing for those who hunger for the fruits of the Spirit. Wow. What a wonderful reminder. I’m very blessed to have read this today.
Thank you for your faithfulness to God. You wrote as He directed and He used it to remind me who I am.
Today’s reading is a reminder that my fruit is what God looks for. I have errored in looking fruitful but was empty & unrooted in the things that matters to God. I’m greatful for God’s love,grace,mercy and the way he stirs me back to what matters to Him.
I’m also externally greatful for a friend that referred me to She Reads Truth. It is what I need and have searched for to assist in keeping me in the word of God daily. I love all that She Reads Truth offers. Thank you for your labor of LOVE in His word.
Oh! Great devotion today!
Amen Churchmouse, at moments like these the real you stands up and take over. Now is the time you get to see what you truly believe and in who you really believe. Unfortunately for many the proper adjustments won’t be made but for a moment because this too will pass and many will go back to living life on their own terms.
Happy Monday ladies! So happy to study with you! I appreciate the reminder that we do not produce fruit on our own, but through Jesus our source. My pastor once said “We do not need to try harder, we just need to draw closer.” These words are so comforting. I often feelike I am trying and trying and getting nowhere. As someone mentioned, I’m doing the devotionals, but can my hus and (or anyone) find fruit? More about surrender than effort. More about letting doors open than pushing them. Thank You Lord for bearing with me, for Your pruning. Thank you ladies for walking with me. Love and hugs to you all.
Lisa, you expressed what is on my heart. God bless you and all my SRT sisters! May we truly draw from the well that never runs dry!
This is a powerful devotion today. Are my “fruits of the Spirit” genuine, or just for show? Lord, keep me honest! Let your word dwell deep within me, that my words & actions reflect your deep, abiding love. Sara, I agree-it is those closest to us who know just how real or fake we are. Help me Father, to display a genuine faith in all I say & do-not to satisfy my own pride, but to reflect your righteousness & glory. Amen
Thank you Tina and Rebecca, you both have such insight and discernment. Thank you for sharing.
The fig tree parable is coming on the day I prayed the psalm 139 “search me and know my heart , test me and know my anxious thoughts …” am I a fig tree that isn’t bearing fruit ? I feel especially convicted about this as it relates to my marriage. My husband sees me getting up early to do these bible studies and be involved at church , but does he see any fruit from me up close ?
I love the illustration of the fig tree looking nice, but ultimately not bearing any fruit. Most of the time I feel like my morning devotional time is full of fruit. But sometimes I do it and although it looks nice, it ultimately is empty and does not bear the fruit it needs to. This is ultimately due to the state that my heart is in. I pray that I can align my heart with His as I start this Holy Week.
I feel like this season is a true pruning as God is shaping me into the fruit that brings Him glory. Yesterday I learned that my daughter was exposed to the virus at work. And that the grocery delivery I was counting on will not occur.
I was putting my hope in things I could control—like the grocery order and that this pandemic would not touch me directly.
I am reminded yet again that my hope can only be built on Jesus. He alone is the only thing that is certain. God, please forgive my false hope and the pride of trusting in what I do. Help me to put my full faith and trust in You and You alone. And to rest. To be still and know that YOU are God.
This pandemic reveals our fears. How we react to these fears reveals much about our true spiritual condition. In a time of crisis, we are stripped bare. No facade to hide behind. No superficial emotions. No lofty sounding platitudes. We become our raw selves, our most honest selves. Do we turn to our phones or do we turn to His throne? Do we seek secular information more than we search the Scriptures? There are countless calls to pray fervently now yet hasn’t the Scriptures always said to pray without ceasing? Are we not humbled in this season of quarantine?
Let us be thankful that God is faithful to prune us so that when this season has passed we will be found more fruitful than ever before. Our faith will be deeper. Our prayers more frequent. Our trust in the Father more sure.
Amen! Lord hear our prayers.
Thank you for this – you spoke the cries of my heart. My this season lead us to repentance and much fruit bearing.
❤️
Thank you for your words. I am convicted by the question do we turn to our phones or to His throne. As I read SRT on my phone I then turn to other apps to pass the time. I am putting down the phone and going before the throne on my knees…
This causes me to reflect on my own life, my body, which is to be His temple. I need to clear out the garbage and bring it all back to Jesus, my Redeemer. He made this temple to worship Him.
Blessings and peace to you all.
What beautiful words worship, obedience, prayer, all night I wrestled with prayer requests I received yesterday from church members who have family members with the virus,but intertwined were my thoughts of the great movie I watched yesterday “War Room” and realized I need to start putting these requests up on my board so I can watch the Lord answer these requests. He is alive and I am proud to worship, obey and pray. God bless you ladies as we journey through Holy Week together. And Tina thank you for your thought of strawberries and congrats on the Magnolia tree I can truly envision it!
❤️
Wow, this message came at the perfect time for me. I woke up this morning full of anxiety and dread, unsure if I was able to pull through on a big project I’m working on. But then, another part of me asked, why do you fear? God is with you… and calm came over me.
It’s not enough for me to follow the reading plan daily. I have to internalise His words and live it. That was the reminder I needed. I move forward through the day with obedience and hope. Thank You, Father God, for being my source of life… and thank you Rebecca for this timely reminder.
Thanks, Clara! This is exactly how I feel! I have to jot only read the Bible, but apply it to my daily life and live it out.
Working in the garden yesterday, I noticed my pear and plum trees were covered in blossoms… my thoughts were exactly that,’bumper crop this year’
In the distance and out of the corner of my eye, I could see the magnolia tree, that a few years prior I had called in a gardener to come cut it down ..
The gardener tidied it up, saying watch it come to life next year. I looked at him saying he was hopeful, I had called him to cut it down afterall, and he then pointed to a node, hardly seen, and said…This is your hope.. remembering, I have tears flowing down my face… it blooms. It blooms!
I was prepared to cut it down, in my ignorance, in my not knowing.. it took the earthly pruner to show me that even a barely noticed or seen node, can bring hope of revival..
How much more God..
How much more the great Pruner of our lives??
Thank God, that He doesn’t give up on us, that He lovingly tweeks here and there, all the while, watering us with His grace, mercy, hope and growth..
I love this Rebecca..
We can look gorgeously leafy from afar, yet up close we are shrivelled and dry. But He is our spring of hope. With Him, our fruit looks like worship, obedience, and prayer. We ought to be full of juicy, bright fruit for the Lord. Whether we’re feeling like dry husks or like new blossoms, we don’t have to produce fruit out of thin air. Jesus is our source of life.
Amen.
Happy Monday my people, praying God turn his face to shine on you as you navigate these days..hugs.xx ❤
So beautiful! Thank you!