It’s Holy Week…

After Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem, went straight to the temple, drove out the moneychangers, healed the blind and the lame, endured the criticism of the religious leaders—and then He left, heading toward Bethany.

Along the way, we encounter one of the more unsettling stories in the Gospels: Jesus approaches a fig tree and curses it when He finds no fruit. At first glance, it feels out of place—almost harsh—unless we remember what the fig tree represented.

For generations, the fig tree had been a symbol of peace and prosperity. Its fruit was valued not only for nourishment, but also for healing. To see a fig tree full of leaves was to expect life, sustenance, and wholeness.

In that light, the fig tree comes to represent God’s people—Israel in particular, but all who claim to know God in general. And if that is true, then the fruit we bear should offer healing and nourishment to others. Trees do not consume their own fruit, nor do they sit in their own shade. What they produce is always for the sake of someone else.

This story invites us to reflect on God’s desire for our lives: that we would be fruitful, that we would help fill the earth with God’s love and peace—that we would be emissaries of healing and hope, ambassadors of God’s joy.

It also calls us to consider the tragedy of remaining fruitless despite having received so much—the richness of God’s mercy, God’s goodness and faithfulness, even God’s provision and protection.

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.
Matthew 21:18–19

Considering the grace that God has lavished upon us, it is not unreasonable to expect that we might embody that grace—with deep gratitude and intentional generosity—toward those we encounter along the way.

Someone is hungry.
Someone is thirsty.
Someone is lonely.
Someone is in despair.

Someone will pass our way today.

How might we be a blessing to them—and, in doing so, honor God? There is no guarantee that we will be given tomorrow what we have been given today.

Be a blessing… today.

Good morning. I love you all.

ihs,
just adam