seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Mark 11:12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.
20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
When I was reading verse 14, I was thinking the tree withered right then in that instance. But look.... at the end of verse 14 it says, "the disciple heard it". That was not a huge deal to me. Jesus just left me bothered because that tree didn't do anything to Him. But Verse 13 says it wasn't the "season" for figs. Why would Jesus curse a tree for not having the figs when "it wasn't fig season"? Was Jesus getting a big head about himself?Then we move on to the tantrum Jesus threw in the temple courts. He was throwing tables around.... shooing birds out of their cages... breaking sheep out of their fences ... and causing so much mayhem, no one would make a profit that day. All that money was strewn all over the temple courts. Jesus must have looked like HULK gone angry! It irritated the working clergy so bad; they started plotting the murder of Jesus.
Then, back to the fig tree.... when they saw it later in the day.... it was withered.
Now I have always considered verse 23 to be one of my shortcomings. I've prayed for outcomes that didn't work. I've prayed and prayed and prayed, with no visible response. I always figured I didn't get what I wanted because I don't have enough faith. I've been kicking myself for being such a lousy Christian. But ... this morning.... I see something else in these verses.
Anything is possible if you are Jesus! After all, Jesus is the Son of God. They only called Him Son of Man, because He let Himself become human. Jesus is the Loving, Son of God. Nothing is impossible for Him. Jesus loves His Father, God, so much that He would do anything for Him. Jesus showed so much faith in His Father, that every prayer was answered.... accept one.... "the cup" didn't pass. God didn't give Jesus everything He asked for... did He?
Anything is possible if you Father is God! Verse 23 says it. Join the family and all your prayers will be answered... accept the ones that involve "the cup".
Jesus had been so peaceful and kind... they murdered his cousin... He remained calm. They questioned Him repeatedly... He remained calm.
Jesus had been so peaceful... but putting venders in the temple courts... venders who set their own price for the Sacrifices people were required to have... ripping people off, right there in the temple courts... was one thing too many. He withered a fig tree before He let loose in the temple. He was so angry... it all let loose.
Jesus had a really bad day!
