Beyond the Fig Tree

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Beyond the Fig Tree

Initial Scripture Reading: Mark 11:12-14

12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

This is my understanding

Jesus the Christ (Son of God), announces to his disciples that he is hungry, and seeing a fig tree in the distance, he approaches for his expressed purpose of finding figs to eat. He is fully aware that it is not the season for ripe figs. God the Father directed Jesus to use the fig tree to teach the disciples an important lesson in faith. It is easy to believe that one of the disciples (most likely Peter) protested to Jesus that it was not the season for figs, prior to their arrival at the tree. When it is apparent to all the disciples that there are no figs, Jesus proclaims a curse against the fig tree.

All things Jesus says and does, is at the direction of the Father

John 12:49 - For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me; he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

John 12:50 - And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. John 14:10 - Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

John 8:28 - Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

John 5:19 - Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

I believe Jesus' lesson is, Getting things from God, or better, Getting what you say

Mark 11:20-24; 20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

How then do we get our prayers answered?

Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God How do we get faith so our prayers will be answered? Here is the gem, which we are waiting for. Be alert!!! Wake up!!! Your life will never be the same if you get this.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

How does the Word of God build our faith

II Cor. 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass [I believe this "glass" or mirror is the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures we call the Bible] the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

As we read the Bible, with an "open face", we are greatly desiring the truth of God and to be conformed to the image of his glory. We are thus changed into his image a little each time we come to his Word with this heart felt desire. As it were from glory to glory, a little change each time we read his Word. This change in us is effected by the Spirit of the living God which, dwells in every child of God.

Proof of this growth in grace [faith] is that we get answers to our prayers.

I John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

This will keep us from getting answers to our prayers

Mark 11:25 & 26; 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

This is my prayer

O Holy Father, help me, and help my brothers and sisters in Christ, to see you clearly as we study the Holy Scriptures (as it were, a mirrored view or reflection of the face of Jesus the Christ). Help us to receive the lesson of the fig tree which you taught the disciples, by divine purpose, and to make faith a living part of our daily lives. Let us forgive so that our prayers can be answered when we cry out to you.