Comments on: Matthew 21:18-22 http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2007/03/15/matthew-2118-22/ reading the bible as a community Wed, 7 Jan 2009 10:58:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Julie http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2007/03/15/matthew-2118-22/#comment-308 Thu, 15 Mar 2007 20:27:44 +0000 http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2007/03/15/matthew-2118-22/#comment-308 "The fig tree withered on the spot .........." Jesus' ministry is so firmly based on love, restoration and forgiveness that it does seem odd to me that he should have cursed the fig tree - but, like Malcolm, I also find it strangely comforting to see this human side of Jesus. In the past few passages we've seen Jesus hungry, fed up and deeply moved - giving an incredible insight into his life the week before he was crucified. However, whilst on one hand Jesus' act seems arbitrary and ill-tempered, I was wondering if the fig tree is a metaphor for any thing (not person) that is unproductive / inconsistent with God's kingdom. I guess this passage says to me that Jesus has the ability to eliminate an unfruitful situation "on the spot" - or am I reading too much into this? “The fig tree withered on the spot ……….”

Jesus’ ministry is so firmly based on love, restoration and forgiveness that it does seem odd to me that he should have cursed the fig tree - but, like Malcolm, I also find it strangely comforting to see this human side of Jesus. In the past few passages we’ve seen Jesus hungry, fed up and deeply moved - giving an incredible insight into his life the week before he was crucified.

However, whilst on one hand Jesus’ act seems arbitrary and ill-tempered, I was wondering if the fig tree is a metaphor for any thing (not person) that is unproductive / inconsistent with God’s kingdom.

I guess this passage says to me that Jesus has the ability to eliminate an unfruitful situation “on the spot” - or am I reading too much into this?

]]> by: Malcolm http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2007/03/15/matthew-2118-22/#comment-307 Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:20:39 +0000 http://dream.uk.net/wpblog/2007/03/15/matthew-2118-22/#comment-307 Is this an insight into the humanity of Jesus? It seems to me (though it may sound irreverent to say it) that Jesus threw a bit of a paddy here! He was hungry and saw the fig tree, but things didn't go his way so he zapped the tree! I find this a comforting story... when my mouse (not the living kind!) gets slammed on the desk because the computer has crashed (again!) I'm not a bad-tempered fool, devoid of hope (well, not the last bit anyway) but am simply a human expressing frustration. Is that what Jesus was doing here or am I missing the deep theological point to his actions? Is this an insight into the humanity of Jesus? It seems to me (though it may sound irreverent to say it) that Jesus threw a bit of a paddy here! He was hungry and saw the fig tree, but things didn’t go his way so he zapped the tree! I find this a comforting story… when my mouse (not the living kind!) gets slammed on the desk because the computer has crashed (again!) I’m not a bad-tempered fool, devoid of hope (well, not the last bit anyway) but am simply a human expressing frustration. Is that what Jesus was doing here or am I missing the deep theological point to his actions?

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