PRAYER or PROFIT?

No, this isn’t Jesus Christ cursing the fig-tree, it’s my old friend Gordon showing me his dormant tree in winter, or almost – there were 2 leaves!

In Mark 11, Jesus has come past Bethpage (‘House of figs’) only to find a fruitless fig-tree – the only living thing He cursed, on His way to the city where He himself will soon be hung on a tree as a curse.                                                                  

Those disciples would know the fig-tree as a symbol of peace and prosperity, and remember that prophet Hosea spoke of the Fathers as ‘the first-ripe in the fig-tree’.  No, it was not unreasonable to expect at least one fig at that time of the year, so this was clearly a sign meant for Israel.

What will Jesus find when He reaches the city?                         Will he find prayer?... or profit?

Imagine the upheaval for thousands of visitors as He shouts:

“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations but you have made it a robber’s den!”

...while birds, lambs and money scatter in all directions.

Remember Adam and Eve sowed fig leaves together for aprons?      

Well Israel as a dead fig-tree has been exposed as worse than fruitless!

Where is your interest? In prayer, or in profit?

DONKEY RIDE FOR THE KING

Just imagine for a minute...

You are a devout pilgrim or maybe just a tourist, who has travelled from afar to be at Jerusalem for this very special Passover in Jerusalem.                                                                           

Why this Passover?                                   

Jews have been counting off those 483 years elapsing since the Persian king Artaxerxes I Longimanus gave orders for Jerusalem to be rebuilt, as per Daniel’s prophecies - so their Messiah is due to show up!                                   

The city is packed and the Roman army is on high alert.

All of a sudden great excitement sweeps the city...here comes a young man riding an unbroken donkey colt – some carpenter/prophet guy from Galilee – and they are even claiming he’s bringing the kingdom of David!  (Mark ch11)

What’s that they’re saying?... “Hosanna” ...save we pray!  However will the Romans take that?

Having come via Bethpage (‘house of unripe figs’) and Bethany (‘house of the poor’) Jesus is now recognised and feted as King?                                        

No, He just takes a look around at the magnificent temple then walks back out to Bethany for the night.

Would you have recognised this guy as the Son of God?

NEXT... Where’s the faith?