After riding a donkey into Jerusalem with shouts of “Hosanna!” ringing in the air, Jesus goes to the temple. There he overturns tables and drives out those engaged in commerce, saying, “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.’ ” Those commercializing the temple were likely occupying the Court of the Gentiles, the only place Gentiles would have been allowed to enter. Diane Langberg notes in various places that a den is a safe place for the animal which dwells there. So the outer court, rather than being a place of welcome for those outside the Jewish community, had become a safe place for those seeking self-profit. Jesus puts things to right.
In a related action, Jesus curses a fig tree, withering it to the roots. The tree was in full leaf (unseasonably early) but had no fruit . Even early in the season, fig trees may have had little nubs of fruit that the poor may have eaten, but there wasn’t even that. In the normal course of things, a fig in full leaf would signal that it was also in fruit. This one had the only appearance of fruit. The fig tree was akin to a whitewashed tomb: appearance wasn’t reality.
When church leaders appear to be something that they are not, and especially if they use “fig leaves” to cover sin, those who seek self-profit will feel at home in church, but church will cease to be a place of refuge for others. This clearly angers Jesus and results in judgment.
Yet in bringing justice, “..a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. Isaiah 42:3 There is hope for those injured by their churches. Jesus Himself will be tender with you where your leaders have been harsh. And justice will be accomplished even if it waits until the Judgment. So pray for those who harmed you. It won’t go well for them if they do not bring forth the fruit of repentance.
