Out of Season (Holy Monday)

Do you have certain requirements to start your day? I certainly do, and one of my requirements is very simple. My breakfast must include berries. Otherwise, my nocturnal fast is not properly broken. The type of berry does not matter to me, but berries absolutely must color my plate every morning. Not every generation has enjoyed such a year-round luxury, but in our modern world, my favorite fruits are never out of season. On any given day of the year, I can buy any berry I desire from my local grocery store. It’s deliciously fabulous!

When Jesus took on flesh two thousand years ago, he subjected himself to a limitation unknown to us: out-of-season produce. While there are significantly worse forms of suffering Jesus undertook while on earth, especially during his final week leading up to the cross, he surprisingly chose this particular limitation to teach a powerful lesson.

As Jesus and his disciples traveled on the Monday of Holy Week, Mark reports that Jesus 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’” (Mark 11:13-14). Another gospel writer uses even stronger language, saying that he cursed the fig tree (Matthew 21:19).

Being the omniscient Word who created everything (John 1:1-3), surely Jesus knew not to expect figs this time of year. So why did Jesus react in this way? Because he had a point to make. He was giving a preview of what he would do next. By cursing the fig tree whose leaves promised much but produced no fruit, he foreshadowed his cleansing of the temple where the spiritual leaders had made a mockery of God’s dwelling place. Through the cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple, Jesus emphasized the importance of integrity for his followers and reminded us that God sees straight through hypocrisy.

On this Holy Monday, let’s examine our hearts and lives. Do we bear the fruit of the Spirit and meet the needs of those around us? Or do we simply look good from afar? Are we worshiping God wholeheartedly and leading others into deeper worship of him? Or are we taking advantage of others and leading them astray? May we be spiritually fruitful year-round and never out of season.

Holy Monday Reading:

• Matthew 21:12-22

• Mark 11:12-19

• Luke 19:45-48