The next day, after leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. From far away, he noticed a fig tree in leaf, so he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing except leaves, since it wasn’t the season for figs. So he said to it, “No one will ever again eat your fruit!” His disciples heard this. Early in the morning, as Jesus and his disciples were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered from the root up. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look how the fig tree you cursed has dried up.” Jesus responded to them, “Have faith in God! I assure you that whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea’—and doesn’t waver but believes that what is said will really happen—it will happen. Therefore I say to you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you will receive it, and it will be so for you. (Mark 11:12-14, 20-24, CEB)
Ok, there are so many questions with this passage. For instance, why did the lectionary group decide to leave out verses 15-19? Verses 15-19 is Jesus and the disciples in the temple and Jesus turning over tables and driving out the money changers.
And why is it mentioned that the fig tree had only leaves because it wasn’t the season for figs? Didn’t Jesus know this and know because of this the tree would have no figs? And yet Jesus still curses the tree.
And then Jesus tells the disciples that if they have faith in God they can move mountains. Have you ever moved a mountain? I have faith in God and I have never moved a mountain, a tree, or anything by just thinking the thing should move. So do I really have faith? It is about the will of God. Sometimes our will is not God’s will and if we ask for something that doesn’t align with God’s will, it will not happen. But do not lose faith! Jesus is always with us.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 