Over 100 years ago, around 1917, the patient in an insane asylum was carried to his grave. Found penciled on the walls of his room were these words:

"The love of God is greater than tongue or pen can ever tell.

It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell."

Frederick Lehman and his daughter set these words to music. Music that I used to sing in church as a child.

If God is love and commands us to "Love your neighbor as yourself," why, in the Scriptures in Mark 11:12-14 do we see Jesus cursing a fig tree? Why, in Matthew 21:12-16 is Jesus overturning tables in the temple? His wonderful works had been done to restore, never to destroy.

A fig tree is interesting. I understand that in early spring it can have a fruit crop that begins to grow even before the leaves. This fully leaved fig tree stood out. Even though early in the season, it should have had fruit, but there was none!

Christ, in His mercy, lifted the veil to the future, and reveals the course of sin. The cursing was an acted parable, a visual story.

In these last few days of His ministry, Jesus emphasizes that God sees beyond pretense and false fronts. Jewish religious leaders looked good. Their temple was awesome, full of piety and form, but no fruit of mercy of intimacy with God.

Our lives may look like those of a supermom, a winner, a perfect family, a Christian with a busy ministry schedule. "Is there," Jesus might ask, "time for true holiness and intimacy with me?"

Have you ever traveled and had to exchange currency? It is wise to seek a money changer with the fairest exchange fees. In the Jewish temple, worshipers had no opportunity to "choose". In the outer Court where foreign coinage might be exchanged for temple shekels of the sanctuary, a rich source of extortion was happening. Instead of making "Prayer" his major concern, Annas, the high priest, was lining his pockets.

Jesus, in turning over the tables, emphasizes a coming judgment of man. His death is about to happen. He will rise again. Sin and evil will be conquered. He will turn the tables of evil and abuse "upside down" so to speak.

Judgment will come in the future. Money won't matter. All false pretense and facade will be stripped away.

We are living in an age of His grace and mercy. Jesus is light. Jesus is love. Jesus calls all people to choose life - real life - peace - trust and joy found only in Him.

We bring joy to the God the Father through faith, study of the Bible and action. After repentance of sin we are forgiven. Follow Him in faith. Our good works do not save us. Gratitude and love for Jesus lead us to engage in good works i.e.fruit bearing.

Jesus is all powerful, in control. He knows every man's heart and intent. Seek Him; trust Him; put you life in His hands. He will save you and be with you as you face challenges in life.

Don't let disease, the IRS, your mother in law, or politics pull you down. Everyone's actions will be laid bare before God in the future. Evil will be withered, overturned. Have faith. God can move mountains. The more you fall in love with Jesus, the more fruit you will bear.

My prayer for all believers is found in I Thessalonians 3:12-13. "And may the Lord Jesus Christ make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all . . . . So that He may establish your hearts blameless before God our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."