After his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus returned to Bethany to spend Sunday night with his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Their home, just a couple of miles from Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley, proved a perfect Passover week retreat. Jesus and his disciples stayed in Bethany until Thursday (John 12:1), commuting to Jerusalem on Monday and Tuesday.

On Monday, Jesus began the day with harsh words for a fig tree. Evidently, the fig tree was barren, messing up Jesus' breakfast plans. Technically, it isn't fig season. But that's not Jesus' problem. The tree has leaves (which promises fruit) but had produced none. It's likely Jesus had looked for fruit on this tree before, when figs were in season, and there were none. So he curses the tree and says it'll never bear fruit. On their return trip in afternoon, the fig tree is dead. What is going on?

Jesus continued into Jerusalem, probably stopping at one of the many mikvehs (baptismal pools) to self-immerse himself. It was customary for anyone entering Jerusalem to baptize (immerse) themselves in these pools and change into new clothes before entering the great and holy city. John alludes to this practice in his Apocalypse as part of "the right" to enter into the Eternal City or Kingdom of God (Revelation 22:14).

According to Mark's gospel, Jesus angrily entered the temple courts. He raucously chased out the profiteers, making money off of God's festivals. Moneychangers were a necessary evil for Jewish holidays. They converted sojourners' money for the purchase of kosher lambs and birds for sacrifices. However, the people were charged exorbitant exchange rates and then overpaid again for sacrificial meats. Jesus had watched it all his life. Now was the time to send a message that the temple was intended as a place of prayer, not theft and greed.

Did you catch it?

JESUS IS VIOLENTLY STEALING BACK HIS FATHER'S HOUSE FROM THIEVES, CROOKS AND VANDALS.

Jesus was anointed on Saturday in Bethany by Mary Magdalene. On Sunday he entered Jerusalem beneath royal palms and fanfare. Today is Monday. It's time to do some spring cleaning.

The first task was to show his disciples who really is KING. One of the first jobs of a conquering king was to show the people who's boss. Often this was done by destroying their cultural idols, memorials and national memories.

The fig tree is a fitting choice. It's the third tree mentioned in the Bible, behind the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:9). It was a place of provision, pleasure and protection. It's a desired tree in Israel and a royal delicacy.

For Jesus to curse a barren fig tree startled his disciples as harsh. But that's nothing to the ruckus their master will raise in the temple courts. Jesus' rampage scattered the thieves, no doubt winning applause from those cheated by their tactics.

But it was temporary justice. After the dust cleared, the moneychangers and sacrifice sellers were back to business as usual.

Nothing had changed. Or maybe EVERYTHING had changed.

For those with ears to hear and eyes to see, Jesus reveale a NEW TRUTH.

The old was dying.

What was once safe, pleasing and comforting was now no longer producing spiritual fruit. It was an indictment on the whole Jewish sacrificial system. The TEMPLE was itself on a short leash. Its days were numbered. Jesus would eventually curse both temple and Holy City like that barren fig tree, for their religion was no different (Matthew 23:37-39).

There was a new KING in town. The predicted KING of ancient prophets like Daniel. Jesus was setting up an ETERNAL KINGDOM (AND HIS CHURCH) that was indestructible, holy, omnipotent and transformative (Daniel 2:44-45; 1 Peter 2:4-10).

Do you believe it?