Conclusion Of Beginning Of A Crucial Day

The nation of Israel, like this fig tree, has a deceptive appearance. Although the nation is in a covenant relationship with God and my outwardly appear to observe his regulations, it has p roved to be without faith, barren of good fruitage. Because of lack of faith, it is even in the process of rejecting God's own Son! Hence, by causing the unproductive fig tree to wither, Jesus is graphically demonstrating what the end result will be for this fruitless, faithless nation.

Shortly, Jesus and his disciples enter Jerusalem, and as is their custom, they go to the temple, where Jesus begins teaching. The chief priests and older men of the people, no doubt having in mind Jesus' action the previous against the money changers, challenge him: "By what authority do you do these things? And who gave you the authority?" In reply Jesus says: "I, also, will ask you one thing. If you tell it to me, I also will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism by John, from what source was it? From heaven or from men?"

The priests and older men begin consulting among themselves as to how they will answer. "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why, then, did you not believe him? If, though, we say, 'From men,' we have the crowd to fear, for they all hold John as a prophet."

The leaders do not know what to answer. So they reply to Jesus: "We do not know." Jesus in turn says: "Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things." Matthew 21:19-27; Mark 11:19-33; Luke 20:1-8.

Next time: Exposed By Vineyard Illustrations

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