Christians, why didn't Jesus know beforehand the fig tree had no fruit?
Mark tells us as follows: “The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 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.” (Mark 11:12-13).
First, Jesus did not know that the tree had no fruit until he came to it. Second, he did not know that it was not the right season to expect figs on trees.
What does that tell you? Jesus was limited in knowledge?
THE BATTLE AXE: To Grieve the Sprit? (12/05/2013)—To grieve the Holy Spirit is not a reference to bereavement and mourning as when a loved one dies. Rather, to grieve is to discourage, displease, interfere with, and oppose the workings of the Spirit as he serves Christ and the Father. Thereby, divine order and sacred purpose are contested and resisted. The Holy Spirit is to be understood as endowed with person, in humans an aspect of being expressed through feeling and thought. Moreover, the Spirit may operate projecting the image and person of Christ (see Philippians 2: 5-7, KJV). While the Spirit indwells those who are carnal, material, physical and social, the Spirit himself is not driven by appetite (such as hunger, thirst, craving for sexual contact), by sense (such as hearing, tasting, touching), or by mind (such as imagination, intellect, recall). The Scriptures declare that, as a full partner in divine salvation with the other persons of the GODhead, the Spirit makes intercession on behalf of created beings and living creatures with “groanings which cannot be uttered.” The Spirit is spoken of as “fire,” and so there are commands that believers walk in his light, and not quench his burning. See Ephesians 4: 21-32, Romans 8: 26-28, 1st Corinthians 12: 4-11, 1st Thessalonians 5: 18-20, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. (Mark 11: 20-22, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Law in Christian Belief? (09/03/2013); A Need to Know? (09/04/2013); Jesus and the Pharisees (07/14/2013); How Could Angels Fall? (07/15/2013); Blessings, Curses and Woes (10/03/2012); After We Die? (10/04/2012)
“Fahad”, here are a few points many Christian believers apply when reading the account of Jesus cursing the barren fig tree:
(1.) The account is not intended to speak regarding divine foreknowledge, omniscience, or earthly wisdom. Rather, it speaks to the revealing of divine authority, the power of faith, and the operation of sovereign will. Jesus was on his way to the Temple the morning after he had engaged the money-changers and sellers, who had no anointing as priests or Levites, yet, nonetheless were regular fixtures upon holy ground, and influenced all as though true agents of GOD. The Lord elected to end a period of fasting (where fasting is not simply missing several meals; it is taking ones nourishment from the Spirit, from the Word of GOD, and through prayer, not from the flesh). Jesus knew it was not the season for figs; even so, from a distance, the tree projected a display of leaves and fullness, as if it were ready for harvest. It was to bear in obedience to his sacred will, not the climate, the weather, or the hour of the day.
(2.) The account is held to speak of Israel, and their lack of readiness as watchmen in covenant to GOD. Through the law and the prophets, rather than law, sacrifice, and tradition, all were to be ready to receive Messiah. While there was much ceremony, display, and even some rejoicing, the Temple was barren, and divine substance to truly nourish the people of GOD was not correctly in abundance. See Isaiah 55: 20-22, King James Version.
There is far more to be said, reasonably shared, and spiritually understood. (For example, (3.) The prophet Moses was provided as a type to prepare the tribes of Jacob. Moses was used to reveal that Jesus would someday come. Through commandment (law) and prophecy, a process of GOD was revealed wherein salvation is conditional. Divine blessing and curses are bound together, and are obtained by choosing, by obedience, by righteousness as well as by application of faith and self-will in submission to GOD. See again Deuteronomy 11: 26-32, King James Version.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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