Scripture References: Mark 11:12-25 and Matthew 21:18-22
Directions before reading:
Get a notebook or journal, pen or pencil, and the Bible translation of your choice. (If you have time use two different translations.)
You will read each passage and take notes about what is happening. Take 15 minutes to read and digest the basic story. There are two different views that record Jesus cursing a fig tree while the group of disciples is walking to Jerusalem. Notice what is the same and what is different about the two stories. This is a story about Jesus that not many people remember, but it is a powerful teaching on faith, prayer and forgiveness.
Suggested Prayer Before Reading: “Jesus, show me the truth you want me to see in this story. Amen.”
stop and read the passages. Don't skip ahead!
Jackie Ann's commentary
I have a friend who dearly loves what she calls, “her Fig Tree Jesus.” Both Matthew and Mark capture this story of Jesus cursing a fig tree. While walking to Jerusalem, Jesus was hungry and notice a fig tree that had no figs on it yet. So, he cursed it. And the disciples watched the fig tree became burnt toast. The green leaves immediately withered and died. Whoa. Wait a minute. Is this the same Jesus who heals the sick, calms the storm and feeds the 5,000? This is awesome and not in a comforting way! This must have been very memorable. In the Mark snapshot, as the disciples return from Jerusalem, they cross the path of the cursed fig tree again. Peter reminds Jesus that the fig tree he cursed has died. Did he want an explanation? Or was he just admiring the raw brute power of Jesus words? Was he really that concerned about a poor fig tree that didn’t have fruit on it? Actually, scholars tell us it wasn’t the right season for the tree to have fruit on it, but Jesus cursed it anyway. What was Jesus up to? He gave no apology for the act. Instead, he creates a teaching moment about the power of faith in prayer. Jesus promised that if they believed when they prayed, they could move mountains to the sea—sometimes that is called mountain mover faith. The disciples were astounded. Then He promised an even greater power in the universe than faithful prayer. In this teaching moment Jesus promised that the Father in Heaven would forgive all the wrongs you have done when you forgive anything you have against anyone else. Wow, that is mountain moving faith in action. Now that is the awesome power of God that we can happily share! Especially when we are searching for explanations to things we don’t entirely understand. Faith is a God Thing and it’s always about communicating with God (prayer) and forgiveness.
Living the story today
Jesus obviously doesn’t want us to go around cursing things. Sometimes I wonder why none of the disciples tried to pray the poor plant back to health. Maybe they lacked the faith. Maybe they didn’t want to offend Jesus for some reason. What would you want to ask Jesus if you had witnessed this cursing of the fig tree? What in your life needs prayer and forgiveness? What is the mountain you want to move? Do you have the faith to pray about it? Why or why not? Oh, go ahead and pray about it anyway!
I am always happy to hear from you. Let me know if this Bible story is meaningful for you. Comment here or contact me privately on the contact page.