The Fig Tree

And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, He was hungry:
And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find any thing thereon: and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.  And Jesus answered and said unto it,
“No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever.”
And His disciples heard it. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.  And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto Him, “Master, behold, the fig tree which Thou cursedst is withered away.”
Mark 11:12-14, 20-21

The fig tree in Old Testament is sometimes used as a reference to the nation of Israel.  Consider for example Isaiah chapter 5:1-7;  Hosea 9:10;  Joel 1:7,  and there are a few more.

On this same day Jesus went into the Temple and drove the crooks and thieves out of the House of Prayer for all nations giving it a cleansing from doing business for the Passover, and ripping people off, stealing by deceit, in order to make money for themselves and the Temple.

What can followers of Jesus learn from this event in the life of Christ?  One thing to me is quite clear – that is that Jesus is not pleased,  nor is He praise fruitlessness.  If this fig tree was cursed , because it bore no fruit, while it was boasting of having fruit it did not have; we are reminded of that we as Christians are to bear fruit for Jesus, and through Him.

Every true Christian is much more than a professor of Christ Jesus.  We have evidence (fruit) in our lives and have confessed that Jesus is Lord of our lives, and  live what we believe.  The fruit we bear will include, love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-26).  Another thing is you will love God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and you will love His people who are His church, and be faithful in attending a local Body of Christ.

I do not want anyone who comes here to leave this site still in a state of unbelief.  I want you to be saved, and very fruitful for the Lord’s sake,  The alternative is not what you would want.  Remember the fig tree that bore no fruit, even though by having leaves said it did.

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