February 10, 2008: Not Exactly a Green Thumb (2 of 8) – Britton Smith

Jesus storms into the Temple and begins to turn over tables of those buying, selling, and trading. Is he angry that people are profiting from “ill-gotten-gain” or is there some connection with the fig tree incident shortly before he heads up there? Israel was referred to as a fig tree often in prophetic literature. Jesus sees a fig tree and thinks it looks good. Then upon closer inspection it no longer looks good. He then curses it - meanwhile he is in the Temple overturning tables - then after that Temple incident the fig tree is withered. Mark, in a clear and compelling story telling device, frames what has happened with Israel and the Temple. What was to be a house of prayer for all people has become a hiding place for thieves and gluttons. The Temple system looks good from afar but is far from good.