.
● Mark 11:12-13 . .The next day, when they had come out from Bethany, he
became hungry. And from a distance he caught sight of a fig tree that had
leaves, and he went to see whether he would perhaps find something on it.
But, on coming to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season
of figs.
FAQ: If Jehovah really was in the world as a man, then why didn't He know
by omniscience that the fig tree would have no fruit? Why was it necessary
for Him to examine it up close in person?
A: Jesus was able to observe things from a distance. (John 1:48)
Jehovah's conduct in Mark 11:12-13 would've been unusual but by no
means uncharacteristic.
In the 11th chapter of Genesis, the people built themselves a tower. Jehovah
came down to see the tower. Now, if Jehovah is omnipresent and
omniscient, then why bother coming down out of heaven to inspect the
tower in person?
In the 18th chapter of Genesis, Jehovah announced to Abraham that He was
on a journey to visit Sodom in order to determine whether the reports He
was hearing about the city were true or not. Again: if Jehovah is
omnipresent and omniscient, why bother coming down out of heaven to visit
Sodom in person?
In the 22nd chapter of Genesis, Jehovah had Abraham offer his son as a
sacrifice made with fire. At the conclusion of the event; a celestial being--
speaking for Jehovah and speaking as Jehovah --said: "Now I do know that
you are God-fearing in that you have not withheld your son, your only one,
from Me."
It goes without saying that Jehovah knows every man's thoughts, and He
also knows the future, viz: nothing we do, say, or think catches Jehovah by
surprise; He sees everything. So then, if Jehovah already knew in advance
that Abraham would offer Isaac, and already knew in advance that Abraham
was God-fearing, then why did He say "now I know"? Shouldn't Jehovah
have already known?
The only sensible answer to those questions, including the question about
the fig tree, is that there is a humanness to God that began quietly coming
to light all the way back in the very beginning of the Bible; but the New
Testament is where we see God's humanness on display even more.
● John 1:18 . . No man has seen God at any time; the only-begotten god,
who is in the bosom position with the Father, is the one that has explained
him.
"explained him" is accurate enough but doesn't really say it right-- "revealed
him" is much better.
● John 14:7 . . . If you men had known me, you would have known my
Father also; from this moment on you know him and have seen him. Philip
said to him: "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said
to him: "Have I been with you men so long a time, and yet, Philip, you have
not come to know me? He that has seen me has seen the Father also.
FAQ: Well then, why didn't Jesus use his divine powers to make that tree
produce fruit for him to eat right then and there on the spot instead of
cursing the poor thing?
A: Isn't that similar to the Devil's reasoning in the 4th chapter of Matthew?
The fact of the matter is: Jesus was micro-managed. He cursed that fig tree
in compliance with his Father's wishes to do so.
● John 6:38 . . I have come down from heaven to do, not my will, but the
will of him that sent me.
● John 8:28 . . I do nothing of my own initiative
● John 8:29 . . He that sent me is with me; He did not abandon me to
myself, because I always do the things pleasing to Him.
● John 10:30 . . I and my Father are unified
● John 14:10 . . Do you not believe that I am in union with the Father, and
the Father is in union with me?
In the end; Jesus had to examine that fig tree up close and personal
because it was on his God-given itinerary to do so.
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