When Jesus came into Jerusalem he went to the temple, but it was late so he went to stay with friends for the evening. The next day he and his disciples were leaving there and we don’t often hear anyone talk about the about the fig tree, but it was important enough to place into the Scriptures so there must be a lesson to this, correct? And perhaps there is more than one lesson. I’ts a short passage in Mark 11:12:14. The story about the fig tree continues in verses 20 – 25.
Several years ago I attended a quiet day where we discussed this in part. One of the things I wondered as we discussed the story was whether or not Jesus had any regrets about saying ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ I wondered this for several reasons. The first reason was – Jesus had taught his disciples to not curse things, but to bless them instead. Had he said that out of frustration because he was hungry? The tree wasn’t barren, it was simply ‘out of season’ for figs. Since as Christians we believe Jesus is fully human and fully God, was it is human self speaking in that first encounter? Was he frustrated because he was hungry and wanted something to eat? When his disciples pointed out that the tree completely withered did his God self remember the power of words and the effect of prayer and so the event became a teaching moment and one we can always remember?
Today – I think about this reading in light of what is coming – Jesus being cursed by humanity – Some of humanity wanted him silenced – from the time of his birth to now there were people who wanted him gone. Some people don’t want God in their lives – it’s sad – and because of that they keep trying to push Godly people out of their lives. Listen to verse 25 and perhaps you will agree with me that this is Jesus’ instruction to his disciples in how to pray when they are standing together after his own condemnation and crucifixion. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” On a lighter note – Jesus just gave people permission to stand when they pray. But imagine the difficulty people have when they hold grudges against people and here – Jesus is telling his disciples in advance to forgive Jesus’ own enemies. How difficult and yet, how necessary for our own forgiveness.
Is there a teaching in here for us to think about how we are living in this world? This certainly does not give us permission to curse and kill – but there is the admonition to be forgiving in the most horrendous of circumstances. This is painful, sometimes it is painful enough to make grown men cry and hearts ache.
And what about that talk about telling mountains to throw themselves into the sea. What are mountains made of? Rock, sand, roots, trees . . . what happens in the sea – the mountain falls apart and everything is gone – Is this maybe about mountains of grudge holdings that are so deeply imbedded we don’t know where they began? What happened at the Sea of Galilee? People were healed. What happens when a person was baptized? They were immersed in water – the washing away of the past and a new clean heart and fresh start . Just a thought as I attempt to try to make sense of such a parable.
We are still in the season of Lent – and today would be a good day to ask God to help us let go of the things we are holding against each other so that we might experience the full joy of the forgiveness of sins. And we can be thankful that we are still able to eat of the fruit of His Word and for the gift of the Holy Bible.
Lord, thank you for giving us your life, for teaching through word and example. Thank you for the call to repentance and for the hope and belief of forgiveness of sin. Please give us your spirit so we may cast mountains of spiritual sickness, of grudge holding, of false accusations made about us and by us, help us to cast aside mountains of greed and selfishness. Wash away our sins and heal us as you healed people in your day – with grace and mercy. Grant us your peace and help us to hold to that and squander it. AMEN
