Mark 11:12-14 NLT

[12] The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. [13] He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. [14] Then Jesus said to the tree, "May no one ever eat your fruit again!" And the disciples heard him say it.

Mark 11:12-14 NLT

This little narrative of Mark's about the fig tree just seems strange.

How come Jesus wasn't treated hospitably in Bethany and given breakfast?

What had the tree done that was so bad?

Why did he speak so loudly that all the disciples heard it?

Strange.

Until we zoom out in the story. Read where Jesus had been the day before, and what happened the next day and it starts to make sense that Jesus was using this tree as a metaphor for something else...

It's a teaching tool, something he wants his team to remember going forward, everytime they see a fig tree they'll be reminded.

Jesus uses metaphors and stories to connect and teach and invite us to think.

If I sit with zoomed in piece of this story I wonder what in my life looks like fruit, but when Jesus gets closer, he might notice that there is no fruit there?

#gospelofMark #GoodNews 

#invitation #weareinaBigStory 

#rememberweareBeloved