Cursing of the fig tree

Holy week begins. Jesus is nearing Jerusalem for the last few days of His life. He passes the fig tree, and finds it without any fruit. He curses it, saying that it shall never again bear fruit. This represents the Jewish nation and the temple there. He knows that this religion shall no longer bear any fruit that is acceptable to His Father.

Also, in the Gospel, Mary Magdalene anoints his body with precious spikenard, and tells the Apostles that to allow this, as it prepares Him for His burial. We approach the upcoming scene of His death. Spikenard was, and probably still is, used as a sedative with a calming effect. How prophetic!