Today we are going to look at Tuesday of Holy Week. Just a real small recap, on Monday Jesus cursed the fig tree. The fig tree should have had leaves and bear fruit, but it did not. So Jesus spoke and cursed the tree.

The next day Peter woke up and noticed the fully withered fig tree Jesus had cursed. This brought up a teaching moment for Jesus. The lesson was to have faith and recognize the power of forgiveness .Jesus was teaching here to have faith in God. he told the disciples two important facts.

1. Whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it, and that it is yours. And,
2. Not to hold anything against anyone, because if you do how can your Father in heaven forgive you. So, you must forgive the person whom done wrong to you, so God can forgive you for your sins.

This scripture can be found in Mark 11:22-26: Mark 11:22-26: ²² “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. ²³ “Truly^[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. ²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ²⁵ And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” ^[26] [b]‘

This day was also a day of avoiding “traps”, and teaching moments. The priests tried to set for traps for Jesus, the first questioning his authority. to which he answered with a a question and taught three parables. The three parables were:

1. The Parable of the Two Sons: Matthew 21:28-32
2. The Parable of the Tenants: Matthew 21:33-46
3. The Parable of the Wedding Banquet: Matthew 22:1-4

The second trap was Jesus allegiance. There really is not much written in the bible pertaining to this. The third trap that was attempted was to ridicule Jesus’ belief in resurrection. The fourth and final trap Jesus answered by claiming God’s greatest command to be “Love”. This is the real, historical Jesus: He was fully in control as he responded with grace and to truth to all the traps. For Jesus knew what he was doing, and what to come.

Jesus and his disciples stopped at Mount of Olives to rest on their way back to Bethany to spend the night. Jesus spoke to his disciples about the upcoming trials for His followers. Here Jesus foretells, not only his death, but he describes the end times. Read Matthew 24:12-26.

I hope that you enjoy this reading. Please like or leave a comment. If you know of anyone that might be interested in this series or any other one. Please let them know.