So many times we read Scripture in a certain context or in a certain light. We read it as a love story, an instructional manual, a history book, etc. But in this time, Jesus does some significant teaching to his disciples, but also to the people. Everytime I read this passage, I can’t get over the lesson Jesus teaches by cursing the Fig Tree and then entering the Temple.
There is something significant about the connection between these two passages, especially in the context that I read it. I want to see the Church be the Church and do what God has called it to do. That drive comes from seeing dysfunction and thinking that it isn’t going great. So, you can start to see why this lesson would be significant.
Every other time that I read something about the Church not being who it is supposed to be and not stepping up to fulfill the purposes that Christ has for the Church, there is bad things that happen. People fall over dead, tables get tossed, people usually suffer greatly. in this case, the tree gets the punishment and shows us how intent Jesus is for us to bear fruit when we are supposed to bear fruit.
So, as we approach Easter, it is my prayer that when Christ looks on His Church that he doesn’t desire to curse it, that He sees it moving in the right direction. That when Christ sees the Church doing what the Church is supposed to do, that He can move the Church in the direction that He wants to move; that we can truly be His hands and feet. Because when we are the way we are supposed to be, I think we are under His control and that there is nothing that can change that movement.
The Pursuit 