Crumbs 126

 

Crumbs 126 Fruit or death

Scripture Mark 11:12-14World English Bible 12 The next day, when they had come out from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came to see if perhaps he might find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 Jesus told it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” and his disciples heard it.

Mark 11: 20-25World English Bible 20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. 21 Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.” 22 Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them. 25 Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.

Crumbs

This incident has perplexed greater minds than mine. The parable of Luke 13:6-9 seems to be enacted here. Clues to the meaning of the withered fig are found in its context and the Saviour’s comment.

The context of this miracle is the purging of the temple. Bearing this in mind the idea that the withered fig is a warning to the Jewish establishment makes sense. We also see a characteristic of God that we do not always want to see. The son of God who drove out the traders also reveals the ruthlessness of God,; His complete intolerance of sin. The parable in Luke also shows the possibility and need for a change of course. It is a call to repentance.

Jesus used the miracle to teach the power of faith, daring to go out on a limb with Jesus and taking risks with Him.. The standards set out by Jesus seem impossibly high and we are reduced to hopelessness by them. It is at this point that we must abandon ourselves to trust in the Saviour. This abandonment and trust are expressed through prayer

Verses 23- 25 are a mini-essay on how to pray. If there is resentment or ill feeling in the way it must be disposed of. We who would receive forgiveness need to learn what it is to forgive So when we pray let’s put out the rubbish first confronting the prejudices and emotions that are so offensive to God.

Questions

1. Which activities of today’s Christians need re-examination ?

2. What have we learnt about faith ?.

3. What do we learn about prayer from this passage?