On Monday of Holy Week, Jesus cursed the fruitless fig tree (Mark 11:12–14) and cleansed the temple, overturning the money-changers’ tables: “My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matthew 21:12–13). Both acts were living parables against fruitless, corrupted religion. Here’s what happened and why it matters.
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“On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.” – Mark 11:12-14
Jesus’ actions here have symbolic importance, signifying the hypocrisy of all who have the appearance that they are bearing fruit but in fact are not. Let’s remember this Holy Week, on Monday, to have true worship of our Lord and authentically love our neighbor as ourself and spread the Gospel throughout our relationships.
“And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written,’My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” – Mark 11:15-17
Jesus purifies the temple, just like how He purifies us. He restored the temple into a house of prayer for all the nations. Let’s remember how powerful He is today and let us pray for the church, the lost, and for all the nations.
“And when evening came they went out of the city.” – Mark 11:19
Jesus returns to Bethany with the twelve.
Events of the Holy Week
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