Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?

I love Sundays, somehow I have no problem getting up on these mornings. Maybe it's because it's a holy day.
I get out of bed, draw the blinds and smile as the sun greets me. This morning I can't wait to get outside. The day is soo beautiful, and it smells soo beautiful, like spring, or even better it smells like God!
My aunts are cooking this week, so I make an effort to go to the kitchen and help them. As I walk to the kitchen, I notice the grass is already going green, and tulips are blooming.
Today I have great intentions of going to church, I smile within myself as this thought paints my mind.
In the kitchen my aunt tells me I have to stay home from church and help them prepare for dinner, of course I say yes.
During church I listen on the speaker phone as the senior minister reads from [Marc 11:1-11] it's about how Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, soo humble.
As he reads further the part about Jesus cursing the fig tree captures my mind. So why did He curse it, even if he knew it was not the season for figs?
First, in looking at the general chronological setting of the passage, we see that it happened during the week before His crucifixion. Jesus had entered Jerusalem a day earlier amidst the praise and worship of the Jewish people who were looking to Him as the King/Messiah who was going to deliver them from Roman occupation (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11). Now, the next day, Jesus is again on His way to Jerusalem from where He was staying in Bethany. On His way, both Matthew and Mark record that He was hungry and saw a fig tree in the distance that had leaves on it (Mark 11:13). Upon coming to the tree expecting to find something to eat Jesus instead discovered that the fig tree had no fruit on it and cursed the tree saying, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” (Matthew 21:19; Mark 11:14). Matthew records the cursing and the withering of the fig tree all in one account and includes it after the account of Jesus cleansing the Temple of the moneychangers. Mark explains that it actually took place over two days with Jesus cursing the fig tree the first day on the way to cleanse the Temple, and the disciples seeing the tree withered on the second day when they were again going to Jerusalem from Bethany (Mark 11:12-14 and Mark 11:19-20). Of course upon seeing the tree “withered from the roots up,” the disciples were amazed as that would have normally taken several weeks.

Having reviewed the general chronological setting of the story, we can begin to answer some of many questions that are often asked of it. First of all is the question: Why did Jesus curse the fig tree if it was not the right season for figs? The answer to this question can be determined by studying the characteristics of fig trees. By doing that we learn that the fruit of the fig tree generally appears before the leaves and because the fruit is green it sort of blends in with the leaves right up until it is almost ripe. Therefore, when Jesus and His disciples saw from a distance that the tree had leaves, they would have expected it to also have fruit on it even though it was earlier in the season than what would be normal for a fig tree to be bearing fruit. Also, from studying about the way fig trees grow in Israel we learn that each tree would often produce two to three crops of figs each season. There would be an early crop in the spring followed by one or two later crops. In some parts of the area, depending on climate and conditions, it was also possible that a tree might produce fruit ten out of twelve months. This also explains why Jesus and His disciples would be looking for fruit on the fig tree even if it was not in the main growing season. The fact that the tree already had leaves on it even though it was at a higher elevation around Jerusalem, and therefore would have been outside of the normal season for figs, would have seemed to be a good indication that there would also be fruit on it.

As to what the significance of this passage is and what it means, the answer to that is again found in the chronological setting and in understanding how a fig tree is often used symbolically to represent Israel in the Scriptures. First of all, chronologically, Jesus had just arrived at Jerusalem amidst great fanfare and great expectations, but then proceeds to cleanse the Temple and curse the barren fig tree. Both had important significance as to the spiritual condition of Israel. With His cleansing of the Temple and His criticism of the worship that was going on there (Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17), Jesus was effectively denouncing Israel’s worship of God. With the cursing of the fig tree He was symbolically denouncing Israel as a nation and in a sense even denouncing unfruitful “Christians.” (That is people who profess to be Christian but have no evidence of a relationship with Christ).

The presence of a fruitful fig tree was considered to be a symbol of blessing and prosperity for the nation of Israel. Likewise, the absence or death of a fig tree would symbolize judgment and rejection. Symbolically, the fig tree represented the spiritual deadness of Israel, who while very religious outwardly with all the sacrifices and ceremonies, were spiritually barren because of their sins. By cleansing the Temple and cursing the fig tree, causing it to whither and die, Jesus was pronouncing His coming judgment of Israel and demonstrating His power to carry it out. It also teaches the principle that religious profession and observance is not enough to guarantee salvation, unless there is the fruit of genuine salvation evidence in the life of the person. James would later echo this truth when he wrote that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). The lesson of the fig tree is that we should bear spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), not just give an appearance of religiosity. God judges fruitlessness, and expects that those who have a relationship with Him will “bear much fruit” (John 15:5-8).
This was my satzel in Sunday school today! :)

A Scrapbook Page.

One of my pages...I should do more.

Hutterite Influenza Study

It's 6:30am, and the most horrible sound in the world shreiks through my ears, and goes directly to my head, yeah it shreiks. With my eyes still closed, I reach out with one hand, and hit the snooze button. I'll probably be doing it two more times until I acually forfeit and drag myself from this incrediblally warm cacoon of mine.
Just as I slip back into the REM sleep cycle the phone rings upstairs, and my mom proceeds to answer it, of course, she is already up. Well what do you know? It's for me. Who on earth would want to talk with me at 6:35am?
"It's Eleanor,"my mom says. "Who, Roosevelt?" I ask, knowing pretty well which Eleanor.
It's the flu study nurse reminding me that she will be coming this morning to pick up the flu diaries, and do any necissary swabs.
After a short morning chit chat, we hang up, I make an effort to page and let everyone know they have to bring their flu diaries to breakfast.
So, after breakfast I sort through all the papers, filling in the colony number and nurse number. I also notice there are a few symptoms written on some of the families' papers, so there will be some swabs.
The question seeks an answer. What is the study all about?
The 'Hutterite Influenza Study' is done in 49 remote Hutterite farming colonies in western Canada.
This study is about seeing if children aged 3-15 are vaccinated with the flu shot will offer protection to the older age group and the very young. Because this is a study the control group is given Hepititis A vaccine (so they will receive a benefit instead of a placebo). 50% get a flu shot and 50% get the Hepititus A.
Only the vaccination nurses and the private company know who gets what. Even the study nurses and Dr. Loeb (Dr.Loeb MD. is founder and in charge of the study) don't know. That's why it's called a 'Double Blind Study'.
Evidence is obtained from several scientific ways- like blood samples, everyone gets to start the season. After they had a shot, another blood draw is necissary to see how it worked.
Also during surveillance season, flu diaries are kept of all the symptoms, and if a person has 2 or more flu like symptoms, a nose swab is given.
Already at this point in the study, it is recognized that the colonies which receive the flu shot are 60% healthier.
Articles about the flu study have also been published in The New York Times and Jama, one of the world's leading medical journals.

How do you like your waffles?

Sunday evenings everyone usually eats at home, with their families. I am wondering what I should prepare tonight.
The kids are sick, so I'm thinking I'll only make a light meal, but something they like.
Aha! I think. Waffles! Everyone loves waffles, so I set out to make them.
I separate the eggs, beat the yolks with the butter, same with the flour, and milk. I stir both mixtures together, and fold in the eggwhites which I have beaten stiff.
"Christy, are you making waffles?" my sister Kayla asks me. "Yes," I say with a smile. "You guys like them, don't you?" "I love them," my sister replies, and gives me a quick hug.
Tamra sets the table, and I set out to get the belgian waffle maker for my Aunt. I pour the waffle batter into the waffle maker and notice all the trimmings on the table. Syrup, butter, juice, sausage, cheese, bananas, jam, and surprisingly ice cream.
I make a load of waffles, and bring them to the table, my dad says grace. "Lord Jesus, Heavenly Father, Bless these, thine gifts, we have received from you, through Jesus Christ, Amen!"
The waffles are then passed around and we all take a peice. I make a note of how each of us have a unique way of enjoying them.
My dad eats his with sausage, and a bun with cheeze whiz and jam. Mom, has her plate filled with liver sausage and cheese, but not a whole lot of syrup. Tamra drenches her waffle with butter and syrup, and piles a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, now I uncovered the mystery of that. Kayla spreads strawberry jam on hers, with syrup on top. I look around and it goes on, Reba eats hers with cheese on top, and Jared imitates my evey move. Butter, then a pile of banana slices, and lots of syrup.
I smile at myself as I realize everyone is enjoying this wonderful meal, the waffles that I made. Or perhapst, I think, they are just hungry. :D
So......how do you like your waffles? :)

The Antibloggers in my home!

Okay I'm sitting here in our blue LazyBoy, crosslegged, with my laptop trying to to write stuff. Across from me is my sister with my dad's blackberry reading comments from myhotcomments.com pretty pointless if you ask me. There's also a clean chicken wing beside her, like there is a table! :P And my bestest guy friend Nathan aka Dicky is couchpotatoeing with one leg in the air.
Some how they know I am blogging, and are telling me to stop stressing myself. Like duh! how can you stress yourself about stuff you acually like? They are also wise cracking some other comments towards me, but I suppose its all in good fun.
My mom on the other hand, has no idea what a blog is and tells me to stop wasting my time on "Suvose". I just smile and tell her I love to write, and not really a waste of time. All I get is a deep sigh and a majour eyeroll. :P
Blogging is kewl! :)

My First Blog! :)

Ahhh, my first blog. I'm kinda new to all this blog business, so I'm still experimenting.
A blog is sort of like an online public/personal journal. It also consists of your ideas and opinions. I will try my best to accomplish everything. Please feel free to read and comment if you like. Your honest opinion is appriciated. :)