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| Cursing the Fig Tree |
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| Early one spring morning a few days before Passover, Jesus and his Apostles were walking along the road from Bethany to Jerusalem. Somewhere along the path, which led up and over the Mount of Olives, Jesus saw a fig tree full of leaves. It was a curious sight on a spring day because fig trees didn't usually sprout leaves until early summer. Feeling hungry, Jesus walked over to the tree to pick a few figs to eat, but to his surprise he found only leaves. Not one fig was on the tree. Angry, Jesus spoke directly to the tree: "May no fruit come from you again!" (Mt 21:19). Suddenly the tree withered from the roots up and died. Astonished, the Apostles asked Jesus how he'd done this. Jesus replied that if they had faith, they could ask god for anything. And if it was God's will, they would be given what they asked for, even if they asked for something seemingly impossible, such as a mountain to be thrown to the sea. Although Bible scholars have different theories about why Jesus killed the fig tree, many agree he did it to prove to the Apostles that God could give them power over nature. Jesus had illustrated the same lesson earlier when he calmed the stor on the Sea of Galilee. This miracle also demonstrated Jesus' human side. Like all of us, he, too, was susceptible to anger. Did you know? Fig trees in Israel normally sprout buds in late spring. By June the tree is full of leaves, and a few weeks later the first figs are ready to pick. |