Let's discuss the connection between cursing of fig tree and prayer to move mountains! We should look at these two together and not in isolation. Because it was a response from Jesus to disciples based on the question coming out of first event. Below are the passages relevant to this,
Mark 11:12-25
Mathew 21:18-22
Mark explains the event in a good chronological order. There is something that takes place between cursing and the reply to disciples. That is a key to understand context as well. It is very well understood from OT days how Lord talked with Israel and the blessings by relating to fig trees, grape fruits and so on.. We see that Jesus is looking at the tree full of leaves and he is expecting fruits. But Mark clearly mentions that it was not time for figs yet. So what is going on? The general interpretation is that, the fig trees were supposed to produce knobs called taqsh. Only if those young ones are present along with the leaves, there is hope of good ripe figs coming out of the tree. So what is happening is, the fig tree is all leafy but without any fruit bearing and no signs of fruit bearing in future. This happens at the time Jesus is about to clean up the temple. It simply reflects the spiritual condition of Israel and the happening at the temple. People converted worship and sacrifice into mere religion. They were not bearing fruits.
The second part is more interesting. The disciples ask about this and Jesus replies about prayer, faith and moving mountains. We should not take reminder of the passage in isolation to what has taken place. We should look at in the context. Otherwise, we are ending up with a blanket statement that we can literally ask mountains to be moved with faith and it will happen. It is not minimizing the fact that Lord cannot move mountains physically. But is that what Jesus meant there? That is the question
There is a Jewish metaphor "rooter of mountains". It is referred to prominent rabbis who were thought of being able to solve any complex problems with their wisdom. So Jesus was speaking in a language that will strike the audience. He is speaking with disciples. So they would have understood this. Jesus is talking about obstacles (or mountains) which will stop us from bearing fruits. When we have faith in Jesus, any mountains in our lives which can stop us from bearing fruits, could be rooted up and moved. Or as Luke writes, thrown in the sea! Jesus always talked about eternal kingdom of God. The focus is the same here.
These other verses are in great relation to this context.
John 15
1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father
Same message is reiterated when Jesus said with man this is impossible, with God all things are possible. We have to have faith in that truth. That, with God all things are impossible. When we have that trust and faith in God, all mountains can be moved. And we can bear fruit.
One more thing to note.. When we remain in Him, we will always ask only in accordance with the will of Father. So the events of these verses do not give a blanket "name it and claim it" doctrine.
What are your thoughts on this?
Mark 11:12-25
Mathew 21:18-22
Mark explains the event in a good chronological order. There is something that takes place between cursing and the reply to disciples. That is a key to understand context as well. It is very well understood from OT days how Lord talked with Israel and the blessings by relating to fig trees, grape fruits and so on.. We see that Jesus is looking at the tree full of leaves and he is expecting fruits. But Mark clearly mentions that it was not time for figs yet. So what is going on? The general interpretation is that, the fig trees were supposed to produce knobs called taqsh. Only if those young ones are present along with the leaves, there is hope of good ripe figs coming out of the tree. So what is happening is, the fig tree is all leafy but without any fruit bearing and no signs of fruit bearing in future. This happens at the time Jesus is about to clean up the temple. It simply reflects the spiritual condition of Israel and the happening at the temple. People converted worship and sacrifice into mere religion. They were not bearing fruits.
The second part is more interesting. The disciples ask about this and Jesus replies about prayer, faith and moving mountains. We should not take reminder of the passage in isolation to what has taken place. We should look at in the context. Otherwise, we are ending up with a blanket statement that we can literally ask mountains to be moved with faith and it will happen. It is not minimizing the fact that Lord cannot move mountains physically. But is that what Jesus meant there? That is the question
There is a Jewish metaphor "rooter of mountains". It is referred to prominent rabbis who were thought of being able to solve any complex problems with their wisdom. So Jesus was speaking in a language that will strike the audience. He is speaking with disciples. So they would have understood this. Jesus is talking about obstacles (or mountains) which will stop us from bearing fruits. When we have faith in Jesus, any mountains in our lives which can stop us from bearing fruits, could be rooted up and moved. Or as Luke writes, thrown in the sea! Jesus always talked about eternal kingdom of God. The focus is the same here.
These other verses are in great relation to this context.
John 15
1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father
Same message is reiterated when Jesus said with man this is impossible, with God all things are possible. We have to have faith in that truth. That, with God all things are impossible. When we have that trust and faith in God, all mountains can be moved. And we can bear fruit.
One more thing to note.. When we remain in Him, we will always ask only in accordance with the will of Father. So the events of these verses do not give a blanket "name it and claim it" doctrine.
What are your thoughts on this?