Jesus Curses:

Context:

• Jesus had expressed significant displeasure at how the temple was being used.
• He then proceeded to heal the blind and the lame in the temple.
• The children cried out, in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David”.
• The next morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry.

Matthew 21:19 “...And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once...”

Mark 11:13-14 “...And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it...”

Was this an angry reaction because of fleshly hunger?

• The promising but unproductive fig tree symbolized Israel’s spiritual barrenness.
• Despite divine favor and the impressive outward appearance of their religion, they were not producing the promised fruit.

What fruit should the church of today be producing?

• Galatians 5:22-23 “...But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law...”

What is produced when not led by the Holy Spirit?

• Galatians 5:19-21 “...Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God...”

Matthew 21:21-22 “...And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith...”

Mark 11:22-25 “...And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses...”

What was Jesus teaching the disciples by cursing the fig tree, then telling them to pray with faith?

• Was He telling them that they could control the universe?
• Was He encouraging them to bear the fruit of the kingdom?

Zechariah 4:6-7 “...Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’...”

How was Zerubbabel going to bring down a great mountain?

• Not by might, nor by power, but by the Lord’s Spirit.

Acts 3:6-8 “...But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God...”

Had Peter learned the lesson that Jesus was teaching?

• Peter was operating in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Peter was operating in faith.
• Peter helped someone to walk, leap, and praise God - in the temple.
• Peter was bearing kingdom fruit.