1. How many of Jesus’ miracles can you think of?
Name all the miracles of Jesus you can think of (write them down on the board)

2. Monday - 5 Days before Gethsemane
The morning of the second day (Monday) Jesus and the Twelve returned to Jerusalem and spent the greater part of the day in the temple.
The start from Bethany was an early one, and Jesus got hungry on the way. Looking ahead he saw a fig tree
Jesus & the Apostles start out early for Jerusalem & encounter a Fig Tree

3. Let’s talk Fig Trees A little background of fig trees:
The fruit buds of a fig tree appear earlier than the leaves and so by the time the fig tree is in full foliage the figs are well advanced toward maturity. Some species of figs are even edible while they are still green

4. The Fruit buds of a fig tree appear earlier than the leaves
So, by the time the full foliage the figs are well advanced towards maturity.
A little background of fig trees:
The fruit buds of a fig tree appear earlier than the leaves and so by the time the fig tree is in full foliage the figs are well advanced toward maturity. Some species of figs are even edible while they are still green

5. What was different about this fig tree?
Matthew 21:18-19
What was different than the rest of the many fig trees in the area? this fig tree was in full foliage, but had no fruit.
Jesus then said “Let no fruit grow on thee hence forward for ever” and immediately the fig tree withered away.
According to Mark’s account he makes it appear that the effect of the curse was not observed until the following morning, when Jesus and the apostles were once again on the way between Bethany and Jerusalem they saw that the fig tree had withered and dried from the roots up..
By either account the Apostles were astonished ... saying “How soon is the fig tree
What was different about this fig tree?

6. Matthew 21:20 The Apostles reaction
By either account the Apostles were astonished that the fig tree withered away so quickly
Read Matthew 21:21.. this is Jesus’ response to the apostles astonishment
Matthew 21:20
The Apostles reaction

7. This miracle is so different than all the other miracles listed
This miracle is so different from all the other miracles that we listed on the board.
Before He brought relief to the suffering and had largely used his powers for beneficial purposes and blessings; he brought the dead back to life. But, here , He appears to have rendered a final judgment and caused death.
So…Why did Jesus Curse the fig tree?

8. An opportunity to teach His Apostles about Faith
Matthew 21:21
An opportunity to teach His Apostles about Faith
How do we acquire faith in the first place?
1 Nephi 10:17
D&C 46:13-14
Jesus took this moment to teach more about faith..
Have faith in God and then He repeated some of His former assurances as to the power of faith, by which even mountains may be removed, should there be a need, any necessary thing may be done.
How do we acquire faith in the first place?
1 Nephi 10:17
Doctrine & Covenants 46:13-14

9. What must we do to cultivate faith?
Have Faith in God
What must we do to cultivate faith?
What must we do to cultivate faith?
John 7:17 - Do God’s will
1 Nephi 10: Repent, Ask
Alma 32: Believe, Humility, Experiment
Do Gods will...Be obedient
John7:17
1 Nephi 10:18-19
Alma 32:21-27
Repent, Ask (takes action)
Humbly believe, exercise a particle of faith

10. What must we do after faith has been given?
Have Faith in God
What must we do after faith has been given?
What must we do to cultivate faith?
John 7:17 - Do God’s will
1 Nephi 10: Repent, Seek
Alma 32: Believe, Humility, Experiment
Romans 10:17
2 Nephi 31:20
Nourish faith by study & prayer
Obedience, Endure to the end

11. Watch https://www.lds.org/youth/video/pure-and-simple-faith?lang=eng
5:26 min video about faith

12. 2. To demonstrate His power to Curse
“It must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things” 2 Nephi 2:11
Bruce R McConkie: “It is fitting that Jesus should leave a manifestation of his power to curse, and that fact that he chose, not a person, but a tree, is an evident act of mercy”
“Though Jesus had come to bless and to save, yet he had the power to smite, destroy, and curse.
PERSONALLY... to me this is yet another testimony that Jesus Christ could have stopped his crucifixion and destroyed those who were trying to destroy Him.

13. 3. To Bear Witness of His Control over All Things
He had healed multitudes; the wind and the waves had obeyed His words; on three occasions He had restored the dead to life.
To the apostles the act was an indisputable proof of the Lord’s power over nature. His jurisdiction over life and death
“He had healed multitudes; the wind and the waves had obeyed His words; on three occasions He had restored the dead to life.
Could any of the Twelve doubt, when, a few days later they saw Him in the hands of vindictive priests and heartless pagans, that did He so will He could smite His enemies by a word. even unto death? Yet not until after His glorious resurrection did even the apostles realize how truly voluntary His sacrifice had been” James E Talmage

14. To the apostles the act was an indisputable proof of the Lord’s power over nature. His jurisdiction over life and death
“He had healed multitudes; the wind and the waves had obeyed His words; on three occasions He had restored the dead to life.
Could any of the Twelve doubt, when, a few days later they saw Him in the hands of vindictive priests and heartless pagans, that did He so will He could smite His enemies by a word. even unto death? Yet not until after His glorious resurrection did even the apostles realize how truly voluntary His sacrifice had been” James E Talmage
Could any of the Twelve then doubt, when a few days later they saw Him in the hands of vindictive priests and heartless pagans, that did He so will He could smite His enemies by a word. even unto death? Yet not until after His glorious resurrection did even the apostles realize how truly voluntary His sacrifice had been”

15. 4. To warn about the Fate of the Nation That Rejected Him
“The leafy, fruitless tree was a symbol of Judaism, which loudly proclaimed itself as the only true religion of the age and condescendingly invited all the world to come and partake of its rich ripe fruit; when in truth it was but an unnatural growth of leaves, with no fruit of the season..... The religion of Israel had degenerated into an artificial religion.... “ James E Talmage
So another type of lesson learned.....
The leafy, fruitless tree was a symbol of Judaism, which loudly proclaimed itself as the only true religion of the age and condescendingly invited all the world to come and partake of its rich ripe fruit; when in truth it was but an unnatural growth of leaves, with no fruit of the season.....

16. Now is the time to repent, before judgment comes upon you
Repent or Perish

17. Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5xtixOQRCU
The Savior Wants to Forgive 5:50

18. He has power over all things Great blessings come by faith
Choose now to repent
He wants to forgive

19. How the fig tree relates to the Pharisees
Matthew 21:23-46
How the fig tree relates to the Pharisees
Lessons on Hypocrisy