Passage Read: Mark 11-12
Meditation Verses: 11:21-25
Thought
Jesus curses a fig tree because it has no fruit outside its normal fruit season. How is that fair to the tree, to expect fruit when it doesn't normally have fruit? Was the tree somehow to know on this day Jesus would be looking for something to eat and produce some fruit just for Him? Is this only meant to illustrate the power of faith, or is it also showing that God expects fruit from His people in season and out of season, for Scripture tells us that the man of God bears fruit in and out of season. When Peter marvels at the withered tree, Jesus teaches about the power of faith, but then warns them to forgive anyone they have something against! Peter in effect cursed the Samaritan magician who thought he could buy the ability to impart the Holy Spirit. Paul cursed the magician who refuted his testimony to the Cypriot proconsul. How do you reconcile the two, cursing the unfruitful and forgiving everyone?
Application
Can you curse someone who is opposing the work of God and not hold anything against them? They vex you but you don't have to take it personally, since they're actually offending God. If it's a consequence that you hope will lead to their repentance, then it's done in love for them, not hostility, so there's nothing held against them? Or are these combined because the heat of the moment that sparked the curse might grow into bitterness and unforgiveness? But if you forgive them, will the curse stand? Somehow, if I'm provoked to curse someone, I still can't hold on to it. I still need to forgive those who have offended or hurt me; I'm not permitted to hold it against them. That's a truly hard lesson. Lord, help me forgive them from the heart and trust You'll do whatever work needs to be done in them.