Ripe for Judgment
The Life & Work of Jesus • Sermon • Submitted
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We’ve seen how Jesus’ disciples and others essentially held a parade for him as he approached Jerusalem. What a joyful occasion it must’ve been for all the disciples and witnesses to his power. But although this joy and praise was appropriate for the king of kings and the destination of the parade was right to be Jerusalem, the king’s heart did not maintain the same joy when he considered the status and fate of Jerusalem. It was supposed to be the central place of GOD’s presence and the joy of his people. It was supposed to be the locus of recognition of and obedience to the most high GOD. It was supposed to be the place where everyone would receive and believe in GOD’s anointed who would save all of Israel. But sadly, due to the corrupt and hypocritical leaders of their day, GOD’s only son did not receive the warm and loving welcome that he should have from Jerusalem. Indeed, there were also other cities that didn’t welcome Jesus, but of all cities Jerusalem should not have been the ones most blind to this day or these days of Jesus. So what is GOD to do with Jerusalem? What will be the fate of a city who has forgotten their maker? Jesus is going to answer those questions by two actions on the second day of his entry. As we study Jesus’ actions, the intent is to warn and encourage us against ever becoming like Jerusalem toward Jesus and GOD the Father. In summary, this second day displays Jesus’ power to Judge his people.
Jesus had already expressed his sadness about Jerusalem the day before. When he got close he started crying because he thought about how blind they were in not recognizing he was GOD’s last visit to them, as well as his last offer of salvation. He looks at everything going on in Jerusalem and it breaks his heart. After the parade was over it was getting late and Jesus went to Bethany to find rest. It’s interesting, that also the next three nights Jesus spends the night in Bethany. Although he’s the king, he can’t sleep in king’s place because of the threats on his life. Mark helps us chronologically by providing us with time frames of “late” and “next day” (v. 12). The next morning Jesus left Bethany (probably staying with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus) and made his way toward Jerusalem again. On his way he got hungry. Considering the context of his actions, this hunger goes beyond just physical hunger. It is also a spiritual hunger that he’s experiencing. One that is seeking for the filling and satisfaction of the will of GOD. You remember in when Jesus said that he had food to eat that his disciples weren’t aware of, and that food was completing the will of his Father. Thus again, Mark isn’t solely referring to Jesus’ physical hunger. He’s looking because he shares the desire of his father. What are their desires? On two separate occasions, Jesus tells the Pharisees they need to learn the meaning of “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (, ) which comes from . also echoes the same thing and includes humility and justice. Mercy! Mercy shown, received, all around. Humility. Justice. Compassion.
Application:
Which comes from . also echoes the same thing and includes humility and justice. Mercy! Mercy shown, received, all around. Humility. Justice. Compassion.
Application: This is a parabolic expression that illustrates Jesus’ desire. Worship is grand and necessary, but is vain and not accepted without the principal presence of mercy, compassion, humility, and justice! It is a blessing to bless the name of GOD and Jesus, offer our money to great ministry, and commemorate the death of Christ. Those things can smell good. But what tastes good to GOD is the mercy and compassion we show to people. What GOD hungers for is a community that knows him and will bow their heads and hearts before him, and will not think they are the highest and flyest thing walking. Those who fight for justice and equality for everyone, and not be discriminant and partial. So we have to ask ourselves, are we preparing a meal Jesus desires, or what we think he likes? My prayer is that we always focus on serving the desire of Jesus in committing our hearts to such things.
Jesus knows what he desires to eat, and as they are drawing closer to Jerusalem, he sees a fig tree. Figs are pear-shaped fruit that have a sweet, jelly like taste. In this Palestinian area, the trees produce 3 times a year. The early harvest was usually a small crop, but they were known as the best figs (see ; ). They typically began to sprout in late spring and indicated that the summer was near (GOD is awesome!!!). Also their sprouting was fast. But the status of this fig tree is what’s striking. Peter through Mark says that Jesus at a distance could see that the leaves have already grown on this fig tree. Anyone from the area would’ve understood this to mean that there was fruit on the tree. Why? Because on a fig tree, the figs began to blossom before or at the same time as the fig leaves. So seeing the leaves from a distance was promising.
Application: Seeing the tree in leaf from a distance is identical to seeing Jerusalem from a distance. It can also be like seeing church buildings, functions, and activity from a distance. Everything looks so promising. The set up is good. Seats are plush. Services are in normal operation. A lot of programs and events in the name of Christ. The courts are filled. Incense are burning. Everybody is in place and busy. All of this to the average observer seems very promising that GOD sho nuff got it going on at this place!
But there’s a problem! Jesus knowing that the appearance of this tree in leaf is promising, decides to get closer to find out if there was any fruit on it. But when he gets there, he looks all over the tree and he only finds the leaves. Then Mark provides a parenthetical statement, in other words he says “by the way” it wasn’t the season for figs anyway. So the appearance of this tree is promising, but in essence it is deceptive and unfruitful. Sometimes figs would come early, and they would be small and green, and they would be bitter yet edible. But the fact that there’s absolutely no fruit but only leaves, means there would be no fruit later.
Example: Have you ever been out late at night, after attending some function, and get hungry. And say to your friends, “man a nice filet-o-fish or quarter pounder sounds good right now”. You turn the corner and see a huge McDonald’s sign lit up down the way with “24 hours” on it. Get there and the dining area is dark but there are a couple of lights on in the kitchen. Get to the drive thru speaker, and nobody says nothing. So you yell out to the speaker a couple of times, and somebody gets on and says we’re closed for cleaning!!
Application: That’s similar to this scene. Everything looked promising, but when Jesus got closer to inspect, the tree was unfruitful! This is a representation of Jerusalem and its leaders. Stones look nice. Everything is status quo. The evidences and fruit of mercy, justice, obedience, and humility can’t be found! Jesus is hungry today as well! It’s easy to look the part. But when Jesus gets closer to your heart and soul, what will he find? Because this tree is unfruitful, it’s just taking up space! Taking in all the divine benefit through its leaves, but not doing what GOD really intended for it to do!
What is GOD supposed to do with unfruitful, unproductive, false promising, leeching items like this fig tree? Some might argue for the tree, it’s beautiful and has been a part of our land for decades; it’s not harming anybody; it provides shade so it’s still beneficial; GOD has bless this tree with growth let it stay. Not Jesus! Jesus, with the power of his word, says to the tree “You are shut down!” “Out of business!” This is the only time Jesus uses miraculous power of his word to destroy an inanimate object of earth. It essence he just sealed what already is!!! What’s that? The tree is fruitless and dead!
Application: Again, these things represent Jerusalem and its operations. Jesus isn’t being cruel to creation, his actions are parabolic or illustrative of his and his Father’s judgment on Jerusalem! Likewise, Jesus has the same power to judge all of his people. When GOD sees a persistent lack of fruit in the lives of his people: constantly condemning, letting wrong slide, arrogance in who we are and what we have, he we will judge his people. GOD’s judgment isn’t always referring to the final judgment, it can be a period of time on earth. There are some doors that GOD will shut in our lives, he’ll close some of our operations, etc. We should receive this as a warning, as Jerusalem should have from , , and many other scriptures.
When Jesus approaches your tree, what will he find? Only leaves that look promising that GOD’s will is being done? Or will he find the sweet fruit of mercy, compassion, obedience, justice, and humility? My prayer is that none of us individually or collectively ever become like Jerusalem, and receive such a horrible judgment from the power of Jesus word.