The Withered Fig Tree

~~~ 1 Peter 4:7-13 ~~~ Psalm 96 ~~~ Mark 11:11-26 ~~~

Jesus is hungry...he sees the fig tree in the distance...

he knows it is not fruit bearing time...

“May no one ever eat of your fruit again!”

And his disciples heard it.

The initial reading of this gospel seems

 a bit harsh to the fig tree.

Jesus knew it was not the season for the tree

 to have figs yet he looks for them anyway.

Some commentators suggest that this fig tree

might represent Israel.

Israel became 

a great disappointment 

for Jesus.

The cursing of the fig tree could symbolize 

Jesus' disappointment with Israel for not bearing fruit.

Jesus certainly did not waste his time checking

 up on the local agriculture.

And his disciples heard it.

The disciples travel with Jesus into the temple

 where he turns over the money changers tables.

Jesus declares the temple to be a house of prayer.

My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples?

But you have made it a den of thieves.

Jesus is angry seeing how the temple 

had become preoccupied with selling and buying offerings.

Despite the appearance of the temple in Israel it was not 

producing the fruit God wanted.

God desired to find fruit on his 

chosen 'tree' Israel.

Jesus curses the barren fig tree and proceeds 

directly to cleanse the temple.

In condemning the fig tree, Jesus is expressing

 his judgment of the Jewish leadership.

Jesus was establishing his authority as the Messiah.

It is important that the fig tree held a special place 

in both Jewish and Graeco-Roman culture.

This tree provides shade, fruit, and medicine.

Its blossoming signaled the end of winter.

In choosing the fig tree he was calling 

attention to a very familiar tree. 

We have a responsibility to develop our gifts and talents.

We have a responsibility to follow

 Jesus...to become holy.

How are you pleasing God?

~~~ Blessings & Peace ~~~