Matthew 21:18-22
“Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry.
And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?” So, Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Sometimes words carries weight even if it spoken lightly, they are like containers that can carry either faith or fear. Words too can either built up, (encourage and inspires) or destroy (discourage) James 3:10 “James 3:10”Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.” We also have heard words spoken by God though it tarries, surely it will come to pass, it will never return empty or void but will always accomplished its purpose. (Habakkuk 2:3, Isaiah 55:11) and all of these happened in the scriptures we read today. Jesus has spoken the words.
There are few questions arises from these passages, Why Jesus cursed the seemingly innocent fig tree? Why blamed the fig tree for not having a fruit which according from the book of Mark 11:12-14 ”It was not the season for figs” What lesson can we learned from the fig tree? How Jesus used the fig tree, the fruit, the words through prayers and faith are relatively intertwined to teach his disciples a lesson.
In the Bible there were two accounts written about this story and we commonly known them as Synoptic gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke) though details and its order of narration may varies they are never contradicting to each other, they always have the same theme, same teaching and purpose. From the context of the story, Jesus went to and came from the temple, saw the fig tree, the disciples heard the words witnessed the works of Jesus, and the Pharisees and the scribes questioned His Authority.
Jesus was hungry!? saw a tree, look for a fruit, didn’t find any, disappointed? angry? then cursed the tree. Let us be reminded Jesus though He is the Son of God, He is also at the same time Son of Man, the Word that become flesh (John 1: 1-14) as we all know hunger and anger if its not deal properly can lead us into some troubles or problem. It was Esau hunger that drives him to sell his birthright to Jacob, (Genesis 25:29-34) it was Moses anger that caused him not to enter the “Promised Land”(Numbers 20). And as a man we all have limitations and weaknesses, our actions are sometime a by- product of our decisions which is also influenced and affected by our circumstances and situation. Remember H-A-L-T! (meaning stop) stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired. Do not be quick in making decisions during that moment for surely your decisions will be made only for immediate solution that sometimes are not helpful in the long term. It was loneliness that leads David to commit adultery that leads eventually to murder (2 Samuel 11) it was mentally and physically tiredness that caused Elijah to have suicidal thoughts. –HALT!
But not Jesus, not in this case though he was hungry, He did not curse the fig tree because of his hunger or he got angry and disappointed with the fig tree, it is not a quick judgement without taking any consideration. Going back to the scriptures it says “He saw a tree having many leaves, He went to look for its fruit, hoping He will find something on it” to look and find meaning taking time and carefully examining the tree from leaves to leaves, branches to branches until really there is none. Thus it reminds us also about Jesus “Parable of the barren Fig tree” in Luke 13;6-9 where the owner told his vinekeeper to cut it down, because for three years he came and looking for its fruit but found none, why does it use up the ground? but the vinekeeper requested to let it be for another year, he will dug around it and fertilize it, if it bears fruit good, it shall remain but if not it will be cut down.
Thus, contrary to what was the obvious reason why Jesus cursed the fig tree. Remember 2 Peter 3:9 ”The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
What are the areas in our heart and life, that Jesus from time to time comes into our lives, checking upon us, reminding us and searching for any fruit? We heard his teachings, his correction and rebukes and yet we are still remaining on the same condition, same unresponsiveness, simply taking up and consuming all His goodness and benefits yet not giving any in return.
Proverbs 29:1 “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Too late to regret! that is why the Scripture reminded us the importance of now. 2 Corinthians 6:2 “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” NOW is the appointed time. Not later, not tomorrow for we don’t know what will happen tomorrow nor even in a few minutes or hours from now.
Jesus did not curse the fig tree because He was hungry, He cursed it because it was pretending. It has leaves, a sign that it was supposed to have early fruit even if it’s not seasons for figs. It looked fruitful because of many leaves, but had nothing to offer.
Christians now a days, if we are like trees, we too will find ourselves many leaves. We can quote the scriptures, we have the platforms and titles, we have followers, we are involved in the ministry or still out of the ministry but still we are Christian, we go to church, read his words, pray when we feel like praying and necessary, attend bible studies and joined the fellowship when it is convenient — Only Leaves! No real fruit of holiness! The appearance of godly but no fruit of godliness. (2 Timothy 3:5)
God is not impressed with appearances, a shallow act of piety, He is looking for Fruit.
A fruit of a transformed lives in Christ Jesus, a fruit of works or service (stewardship) out of gratitude for all His gifts, goodness and faithfulness, a fruit in forms and ways of true worship to the One true living God, (Praise and Prayer), a fruit of a life fully surrendered to His will and purpose. A fruit of Spirit-filled life written in Galatians 5: 22 ”Galatians 5:22-23″ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
When Jesus cursed the fig tree, He is also exposing something deeper. He was confronting false representation, and misrepresentation is dangerous. Matthew 7: 15-20 “You shall know them by their fruit, A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Not everyone who speaks about God, represents God. They may have mentioned God’s Name but not reflect His nature. We may appear to be alive, but spiritually barren or empty. We may be in the church and be part of His body but still disconnected from God.
Why Fruit is important? Basically, in order for the tree to reproduce another tree, fruit is needed, there in the fruit is a seed, and seed in turn can grow into a tree. Fruit is a sign of continues life, a continual cycle of producing and reproducing. John 15:6 ” You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Why do some Christian even after believing remain unfruitful?
- Sin can make a person unfruitful. Sin separates us from God weakens our prayers and stop our blessings. Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, that he will not hear.
Unconfessed sin hinders God works in our lives. Psalm 68:18”If i regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” Fruitfulness comes through righteousness and obedience.
- Neglecting Spiritual disciplines and godly habits such reading God’s words, prayer, fellowship and involving oneself in the service for others. Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”‘
- Spiritual laziness is harmful. Proverbs 18:9 “He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer””
2 Peter 1:5-8″ But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Let no fruit ever grow in you again”! The danger of fruitlessness in our lives and the curse of death. Matthew 3:10 ”“But behold, the axe is laid at the root of the tree; every tree, therefore, that has not produced good fruit is cut down and falls into the fire.”
Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance! Matthew 3:8
How to be fruitful?
John 15:5-8 “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so, you will be My disciples.