Introduction
After Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Sunday, He and His disciples went to Bethany, where Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, lived. This is sometimes called ‘Cleansing Monday or Holy Monday’. It was on this day that Jesus confronted corruption in the Temple. In today’s reflection, I will discuss some of the profound lessons from Monday of the last week of Jesus.
1. Temple Cleaning: A Battle Against Corruption (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15–17)
Jesus cleansed the temple shortly after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This was a deliberate prophetic declaration rather than a fit of rage. The temple had become a hub for commercial exploitation, mostly targeting the poor and pilgrims. Jesus’ purification of the temple for its God ordained function of prayer, worship, and justice theologically illustrates Jesus’ claim of authority over the religious system, anticipating the foundation of a new covenant. This cleansing demonstrated the passion of Jesus for the House of God in fulfilment of the promise made in Isaiah 56:7 about the coming Messiah (Matthew 21:13; Isaiah 56:7). Palm Sunday demonstrates that spiritual regeneration necessitates an honest cleansing of whatever has become contaminated. As believers in Christ, we must examine our motives, practices, and environments. Has anything crowded out prayer, purity, or reverence in your life?
2. A fruitless Tree: God Desires Fruit (Mark 11:12–14, 20–21)
On His way from Bethany to the Temple, Jesus notices a fig tree “in leaf.” Most fig trees have not yet produced ripe fruit by late spring (Mark 11:13). However, this tree catches Jesus’ attention because it already has a complete canopy of leaves. It is an early bloomer. Its foliage indicates that the tree should produce early figs. When Jesus investigated the tree, he found only leaves. Jesus had to condemn the fig tree, which had leaves but no fruit. This was a symbolic action. A leafy tree might signify external religious appearance, while the absence of fruit indicates a lack of genuine righteousness. Israel had religious activity but not spiritual rebirth.
Throughout the Old Testament, Israel is referred to as God’s vineyard, tree, or planting. Although Israel’s fruitfulness (literal or otherwise) is not the foundation of their relationship with God, because God is the source of fruitfulness (Deut. 7:13; 28:4), a lack of fruitfulness is an indication of God’s curse for their rebellion (Deut. 11:17). As Christians, we are challenged to bear spiritual fruit, such as love, patience, obedience, and mercy, rather than simply appearing to be spiritual but producing no fruit.
Jesus also used the parable to educate His disciples about faith (Matthew 21:21–22). “ 21 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Spiritual fruit is the result of great faith, not human strength, because faith is an essential component of prayer.