Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.  Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

Mathew 21:18, 19

As we noted yesterday, Jesus’ first day was dramatic as he entered Jerusalem on a donkey then visited the Temple where he healed the lame and the blind and entered the place specifically designated for Gentiles.  He was enraged at what was happening there.

That was the first day, like our Monday.  The next day, like Tuesday, Jesus made his way into Jerusalem once again.  He was hungry so passing a fig tree he stopped and looked among the lush leaves for a fig but found none. He made it clear that a fig tree should have figs, not just showy leaves.

I see, in my mind, Jerusalem as the fig-tree, dominated by the splendid new Temple, looking like it should be producing Godly fruit but producing no fruit of righteousness.

The memories of yesterday spill over into today. Jesus had already wept over what he saw in Jerusalem. It broke his heart to see them going through their ancient rituals – lifeless!

Within 35 or so years the magnificent Temple would be destroyed, completely, doomed as the fruitless fig tree was, earning divine punishment.  It had not lived up to its promise.

What do we learn from this?  How important is it that God’s children should produce the fruits of righteousness?