A Figgy Sandwich (Mark 11)

Today's story confronts us with what some consider to be a very disturbing picture of Jesus. In verses 12-14, Jesus seems at best to have a problem with His temper. At worst, He is a madman. Why would anyone expect figs from a fig tree when the tree was not in season? And not finding figs on a fig tree not in season, why would anyone curse the tree? Jesus' actions in these verses seem beyond explanation.

To understand these verses, we have to understand a literary technique that Mark uses a lot in his Gospel. I am sure there is a very technical name for this technique but I don't know what it is. I just call it the sandwich technique. (I didn't make up that name, but I don't remember who to give the credit to). In his Gospel, Mark likes to make sandwiches of his narrative. He likes to tell part 1 of story A, then tell all of story B, then go back to finish story A. That is what happens in Mark 12. Mark starts with the story of the fig tree (verses 12-14), then he tells the story of the temple (verses 15-19), then he goes back to telling the story of the fig tree. Mark 12 has a classic Marcan sandwich.

Now why does Mark make sandwiches of his stories? It's not just that he likes playing with his food! When Mark wraps two stories together, he is telling us that they are related. He is saying that the two stories provide the explanation for each other. In this case, I think the story of the fig tree acts as a true life parable that explains Jesus' cleansing of the temple. Why did Jesus cause chaos in the house of God? Why was he upset with the place where God's people worshiped? Israelites thought very highly of the Temple. It was a source of pride and joy to them. Why would Jesus disturb such a national symbol? The incident with the fig tree explains.

Fig trees have a unique property. They flower months before they produce fruit. Looking at a fig tree from a distance, one would expect there to be fruit long before there really is. In other words, fig trees will look good long before they satisfy anyone's hunger. In a way, this was a picture of what was happening at the Temple. The Temple looked great. There were majestic buildings. There was the hustle and bustle of thousands of worshipers (especially at the holiday season). But for all the activity, there was no fruit. The buildings and busyness had not really led to people getting closer to God. People were not more obedient. They were actually more disobedient! And so Jesus judged the Temple just as He judged the fig tree. The acts are part and parcel of each other. One explains the other.

It is easy for us to be like the fig tree. I can easily have the look of a religious person without really having the righteous life that God desires. I need to be more than leafy. I need to be fruity too (in the best sense of that term). The Marcan sandwich gives a good reminder that faith is not about appearance. It is about Spirit produced results.