Holy Monday

 

In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:18-22 ESV).

 

In Christianity, Holy Monday is the last Monday prior to Easter Sunday; it is the second day of Holy Week after Palm Sunday. Some denominations celebrate Holy Monday, and some do not. Most of the liturgical churches observe the day, typically marking it with Bible readings and certain hymns. Some hold special services on each of these days. My hope in using Morning Devotionals to recall each of these days is to bring a deeper understanding of the depths of Jesus’ love for each of us while encouraging us to a greater feel for God’s love toward all of us in this incredible week of grace.

 

According to tradition, Holy Monday is the day on which Jesus cleansed the temple, was praised by local children, and cursed the fig tree (Matthew 21:12–22). Our reading today is the recounting of the cursing of the fig tree. Fig trees were common in Israel. Growing to heights of twenty-five feet and widths of twenty feet, they covered the countryside. Because of their abundance, figs were a staple of the Hebrew diet. Here, Jesus saw a fig tree covered with leaves. Fig trees are unusual in that the appearance of fruit precedes the appearance of leaves. However, this fig tree was a hypocrite.  Although it had leaves—the outward appearance of vitality and health—but no fruit. So, Jesus cursed it, and it withered. Seeing this barren fig tree, Jesus seized the moment to teach a lesson to His disciples, to you, and to me about hypocrisy, hope, and healing.

 

The lesson for me is don’t be so concerned about trying to look good on the outside that I forget the true beauty of what comes out of me from the inside. I must always be concerned about how I shape and develop my character which is what is inside of me, first, then making sure I look as good as I can on the outside, second. More importantly than anything is becoming more of Jesus Christ on the inside that all I care about is how I can act like Jesus, which is the inner beauty of a man. We should ask today, how’s our fruit-bearing?