Perfectly Human
When [Jesus] returned to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then 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 were amazed, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” Jesus answered them, “Truly I tell you…Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” – Matthew 21:18-21a, 22 (NRSV)
Jesus was hangry, so he killed a fig tree. This was really not a good look. Not one of his better moments. But the disciples witnessed it, so Jesus did a quick reframe, turning his rash, exhausted outburst into an opportunity to teach them about the power of prayer.
I get it, Jesus, I really do. As I write this, I’m 11 weeks pregnant, which means I’ve spent the last few months pastoring, parenting, and trying to be a functioning adult while exhausted and sick as a dog. I’ve also been secretly sick, because I am waiting until the second trimester to share the happy news. So basically, for about six weeks, I too have been reframing every dropped email (“thanks for your patience!”) and shoddy sermon (“the Spirit will move!”) as an opportunity to witness God’s strength in my weakness, God’s wisdom in my foolishness.
I like to think the Bible gives us this story of Jesus’s diminished capacity as a gift. To show us that maybe Jesus’ perfection wasn’t in his ability to be above his humanity, but to turn even his most human moments into something holy.
God meets us in our exhaustion and our sickness, our hunger and our frustration. God takes whatever we can give at 50% (40%, 30%) and uses it to build God’s realm on earth.
Prayer
Holy One, bless our work and our rest. Carry us, however we show up, closer to you and your beloved community. Amen.

Kate Kennedy (she/her) is the Pastor of the Congregational Church of North Barnstead, NH.