Dear Christian friends:

Palm Sunday evening Jesus stayed in Bethany, a small town two miles East of Jerusalem. Jesus and His disciples stayed at the home of Simon the leper. Bethany was also the home of Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus. A week before Jesus had raised Lazarus from death. (John 11:1-44)

But Jesus did not intend to spend His last Monday on earth in Bethany. He meant to spend it in Jerusalem at the temple teaching.

On the way from Bethany to Jerusalem they passed a fig tree. Jesus was hungry so He looked on the tree to find some fruit to eat but He found none. Jesus really should not have expected to find fruit on it because it was now Spring time. The figs did not grow until summer. However, Jesus cursed the tree. He said to the tree, "No man eat fruit from you hereafter ever." (Mark 11:14) He said it loudly so His disciples could hear it. The tree began to wither and die. (Mark 11:20)

Why did Jesus curse the fig tree and make it die? Should Jesus have done that? Jesus wanted to teach His disciples a lesson about faith. This He did on Tuesday. (read Mark 11:20-26)


Faith uses God's power without limit.
It can move mountains. (Mark 11:23)
Whatever we ask God will do if we have faith in his power, and if we, pray according to His will!
Doubt can cause our prayer to fail.
Also, a heart without mercy can cause our prayers to fail.
Another thing can make our prayer fail, no mercy for others. (Mark 11:25-26)

God's mercy to us, should lead us to show mercy to those who sin against us. If we have no mercy for others, it proves that we really do not know God and Jesus. We are without faith that saves us from sin and hell.

If we refuse to forgive others, then God will not forgive us. (Mark 11:26) And He will not hear or answer our prayers.

Pray with faith in God's no limit power. Pray with mercy and forgiveness to those who have sinned against you. Then you can move mountains. Do great and wonderful things.

What are these great and wonderful things that Jesus wants us to do?

One day Jesus told His disciples, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12) What did Jesus mean? How can we do greater works than Jesus? By preaching His Word! Preaching the Gospel. The Gospel is the "power of God." (Romans 1:16) It gives faith to sinners. It changes them from spiritual death to spiritual life! Jesus says we can "move mountains." That is true! By preaching, teaching and telling others about the Savior Jesus we are "moving mountains"!

Have faith! Use God's no limit power! Show mercy to others! God will hear and answer your prayers!

This is what Jesus wants to teach us by His cursing the fig tree on that Monday of Holy Week! Let us learn that lesson!

Amen.