Posted: Jan 05, 2012 3:24 pm
Thanks IgnorantiaNescia.
Back to the story. From the text, it doesn't seem like the disciples have a clue what this was all about, if it was meant to be a parable. And Jesus isn't keen on explaining it either. Instead, when they marvel at the sight of the tree, he tells them that they too can do things like that, and beyond, if only they have enough faith. Then again, his disciples are sometimes portrayed as being a bit dense, so perhaps he didn't bother this time around. But I have to say - had I been there, I doubt I would have connected it to the lacking faith and diminishing position of Israel either.
Back to the story. From the text, it doesn't seem like the disciples have a clue what this was all about, if it was meant to be a parable. And Jesus isn't keen on explaining it either. Instead, when they marvel at the sight of the tree, he tells them that they too can do things like that, and beyond, if only they have enough faith. Then again, his disciples are sometimes portrayed as being a bit dense, so perhaps he didn't bother this time around. But I have to say - had I been there, I doubt I would have connected it to the lacking faith and diminishing position of Israel either.