_The Christines go to Jerusalem. They note the withered fig
tree; its symbolic meaning. Jesus teaches in the temple. Is
censured by the priests. Relates a parable of a rich man’s
feast._
On Tuesday, early in the day, the master and the twelve went to
Jerusalem.
2 And as they went the twelve observed the tree to which the Lord had
talked the day before, and lo, the leaves were withered, just as if
they had been scorched with fire.
3 And Peter said, Lord, see the tree! Its leaves are withered and the
tree seems dead.
4 And Jesus said, So shall it be with those who bear no fruit. When
God shall call them up to give account, lo, he will breathe upon them,
and their leaves, their empty words, will wither and decay.
5 God will not let the fruitless trees of life encumber ground, and he
will pluck them up and cast them all away.
6 Now, you can demonstrate the power of God. Have faith in God, and
you can bid the mountains to depart, and they will crumble at your
feet;
7 And you may talk to wind and wave, and they will hear, and will obey
what you command.
8 God hears the prayer of faith and when you ask in faith you shall
receive.
9 You must not ask amiss; God will not hear the prayer of any man who
comes to him with blood of other men upon his hands.
10 And he who harbors envious thoughts, and does not love his fellow
men, may pray forever unto God, and he will hear him not.
11 God can do nothing more for men than they would do for other men.
12 And Jesus walked again within the temple courts.
13 The priests and scribes were much emboldened by the council of
Caiaphas and the other men in power, and so they came to Jesus and
they said,
14 Who gave you the authority to do as you have done? Why did you
drive the merchants from the temple yesterday?
15 And Jesus answered them and said, If you will answer what I ask,
then I will answer you; Was John, the harbinger, a man of God, or was
he a seditious man?
16 The scribes and Pharisees were loath to answer him; they reasoned
thus among themselves:
17 If we shall say, John was a prophet sent from God, then he will say,
18 John testified for me, that I am son of God; why do you not believe
his words?
19 If we should say, John was a bold, seditious man, the people will
be angered, for they think he was a prophet of the living God.
20 And so they answered Jesus and they said, We do not know; we cannot
tell.
21 Then Jesus said, If you will tell me not, then I will tell you not
who gave me power to drive the robbers from the house of God.
22 And then he spoke a parable to them; he said, A man once made a
feast inviting all the rich and honored people of the land.
23 But when they came, they found the door into the banquet hall was
low, and they could enter not except they bowed their heads and fell
down on their knees.
24 These people would not bow their heads and fall down on their
knees, and so they went away; they went not to the feast.
25 And then the man sent forth his messengers to bid the common folks,
and those of low estate, to come and feast with him.
26 These people gladly came; they bowed their heads and fell down on
their knees, and came into the banquet hall and it was full, and every
one rejoiced.
27 And then the master said, Behold, you priests and scribes, and
Pharisees! the Lord of heaven and earth has spread a sumptuous feast,
and you were bidden first of all;
28 But you have found the door into the banquet hall so low that you
must bow your heads and fall down on your knees to enter in, and you
have scorned the king who made the feast, refused to bow your heads
and fall down on your knees, and you have gone your way;
29 But now God calls again; the common folks and those of low estate
have come in multitudes, have entered in unto the feast and all
rejoice.
30 I tell you, men, that publicans and courtesans go through the gates
into the kingdom of the God of heaven, and you are left without.
31 John came to you in righteousness; he brought the truth, but you
believed him not.
32 But publicans and courtesans believed, and were baptized and now
have entered in unto the feast.
33 I tell you now, as I have told you many times, The many have been
called, but chosen are the few.