Matthew 21:18. Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, ” May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
Maybe its because its 5 pm and I’m ready for dinner. (And I really wish someone else would show up to cook it) – that this verse from Holy Week is striking a chord. It’s a beautiful afternoon in our little town – sunny, blue sky, 77 glorious degrees ….and I’m hungry… and possibly a bit irritable. I really wish someone else would show up and I could ask them “What’s for dinner?” and they would have an answer.
I spent a good chunk of my day checking in on people, intentionally and unintentionally. I checked on my business team – a good bit that is located in Michigan – Detroit to be exact. The area that holds 64% of the COVID cases in Michigan. I learned of a hospital that is entirely dedicated to COVID-19 patients. I checked on friends that I hadn’t heard from in awhile but they had been on my mind. One friends husband is being laid off after 20 years of service. I checked on my kids – the ones living under the same roof as me but we spend the days in separate rooms working and completing school assignments. I went for a walk with my daughter and we saw more friends that we spent time visiting with ( 6 feet apart of course) that were wrestling with their own set of challenges. It was good to check in , to take the pulse of people I love, to see into their struggles. And now I’m home… its 5:00 p.m and I’m hungry.. and possibly a bit irritable.
So right now. In this very moment. I need a Savior that got hungry too.
In todays passage we see Jesus shortly after his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, just after he had the conversation regarding the religious leaders challenge with children. ( see HOLY WEEK: tuesday – post) and just after he passionately cleared out the temple of money changers. He was in a FIESTY mood to be sure. And he was hungry.
As he and his disciples were walking along, he and possibly them in a hungry state – they see a fig tree – with no figs. Jesus – sees the tree , curses it because it is not bearing fruit and it immediately withers and dies. Now, if you are looking for an in depth look at the theological significance of this event – you are looking in the wrong place. Today – today I need Jesus in all his humanness. I need him in his 100% flesh and blood manhood. One that got irritated when he was hungry and cursed fig trees. I just need to know that he gets me, us, in our possibly slightly irritated state. A place where we wish this Corona crazy would go away. A time when kids went to school and we didn’t question our every move wondering if we were following ” the rules” correctly.
Friends – Jesus – our Savior that overcame death and the grave….
he got hungry.
He felt the pangs in his stomach and his emotions.
And he 100% understands when you do too.
Loving you where you are. Pointing your forward to where He is.
Justbeth:)
justbeth:) 