Link #319 - Holy Monday
Greetings in the name of Jesus.
This week the Bloor Central Link will send out daily reminders of the events coming up this weekend. The Christian faith is very much centered around the events that took place on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Scripture does indicate some events that took place this week as Jesus was preparing. Below is a passage from Mark that speaks of the cursing of the fig tree. It seems a bit harsh in many ways but Jesus was using the tree to speak against the superficial way in which Israel was seeking God. The flowers of a fig tree were recognized as a sign that figs were ready to be eaten. When Jesus drew close he saw there was no fruit, even though the flowers were in bloom. His cursing of the fig tree is a condemnation for anyone who tries to live a life that demonstrates all the signs of faith - but no fruit. As we read this passage today it can be a time of self reflection that our lives are truly showing the fruit of the Holy Spirit - not simply putting on a show!
Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts - Mark 11:12-25
12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.
20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”