Cursed
Mark 11:12-26
Why would Jesus curse a fig tree?
Photo by Fabrice Villard on Unsplash
On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it. Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers." And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city. In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Then Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered." Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." - Mark 11:12-26
Was Jesus making an example, or did he get angry and lose control?
This is one of those times in the Gospel when Jesus seems to lose it. In reading commentaries on this story, we are told that we don't understand.
Jesus has been trying to get his apostles to understand what was going to happen to him, and they didn't get it. How could they? He doesn't act like he is on his way to his death.
So, he chooses to show them he has the power to curse a fig tree, or move mountains?
The apostles were confused about his victory through death on the cross, and then they watch him turn the tables at the Temple and they know he is asking for trouble.
So, they would assume he has lost his mind.
Wouldn't we assume the same thing?
This is supposed to be the one who will overthrow the oppressors and provide the people with freedom, and this is how he does it?
His methods could not be understood.
How many times have we said, "Just trust e. I know what I'm doing?"
There are times when our actions don't make sense to those around us. They thing us nuts for choosing the path we are on, or for turning away from what they believe is something good for us.
Jesus is us. God chose to show us who we are in his eyes, a child, sons and daughters of the creator.
We have the power to choose.
No matter what we choose, He will continue to love us.
So, whether we lash out in anger, or go quietly forward, we are God's and we can never fail to be loved by Him, even if we curse him.
More to come...