Israel was just like this fruitless fig tree. They were human, with weaknesses and strengths like everyone else. Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: Nathanael said to him, From where know you me? What happens when Jesus shows up to people like that? We have no control over our circumstances, but we do have control over how we respond. Repentance is necessary, and it is possible with God's help. Its about Gods heart for all peoplethe Jews and the Gentiles. Bethphage, which adjoined Bethany, derives its name from its being a fig region"House of figs." afar off having leavesand therefore promising fruit, which in the case of figs come before the leaves. But it is. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It was like the Pharisees who professed to be very religious, but whose lives were fruitless. In this story we see stubborn hearts riddled with pride. Add in the fact that Mark said it wasnt the time for figs, and it does seem a bit out of character, doesnt it? We just have to fail to welcome people, fail to make it easy to find Jesus. Showy religion is so boring. I think many people wonder that; maybe you are one of them. It did not fulfill its purpose, and as any diligent orchardist would do, Jesus simply eliminated an unproductive tree, not with an ax or a saw, but by faith. It proves once again that Jesus is God. Clearly, Jesus is trying to teach his close followers and us in the process something very important. Spiritually the Jews would be dead for almost 1900 years until they regained a small portion of their homeland in 1948. It doesnt even seem to make sense, does it? Luke 21:31 says when you see all these things happening (in the . Our time to choose Him and bear fruit is running out. God is full of mercy and compassion. That He is aware and inspecting His "vineyard" to know the condition of each of His trees is a comfort. Jesus wants us to live our lives for God. Thats why Im thankful for a song like Andy Gullhorns I Havent Either. C.S. Who can stand? Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts 12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Its about how open we are to God, and how open were making things for others. While there are slight differences between the two accounts, they are easily reconciled by studying the passages. (John 1:48) What mountain is that? What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree. In the next verses Jesus referred to another well-known recent event, the collapse of a building on unsuspecting bystanders: "Or those eighteen on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwell in Jerusalem? Thats the heart of Jesus. It means to stop doing something thats not productive or taking you in a wrong direction. (12-14) Jesus curses a fig tree. Please compare Luke 13:6-9. First of all, we see the figs in the garden of Eden covering up the shame of Adam and Eve. Lets pick it up in verse 12. Gullahorns song ends like this, showing just how foolish our self-deception is. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Upon reaching the tree, all He finds are leaves; the tree had produced no fruit. Chuck Smith was a pastor of a little church in Costa Mesa, California. As followers of Christ, we have to make a decision: live for ourselves or live on in the vine in Christ. Jesus cared so much about removing barriers to worship that he lost his life over it. God loves to bring sinners to himself. 25And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.. Shirts and shoes please. He took it down, and after church met with the church leaders. Thats what Jesus wants for his disciples. We don't always control the events that can happen to us with the rush of events and everyday life. We need intimacy. "The future church is the ladder of ascent to God". 2 Why did Jesus curse the fig tree when it was not the season for figs? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The "Fig-tree" is a New Testament symbol or figure of Israel and was used by Jesus Himself. This is a hard solution, and a final one. This is something Jesus is willing to fight for, and ultimately, die for. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. They chose not to put up a barrier and God brought the people. Cresting the Mount of Olives in Bethany, they saw a citadel built by Herod the Great for refuge in case of war. The temple was defiled, but Jesus cant be defiled. They didnt know any better. The temple in Jerusalem was much the same. Is it cheaper to drive or fly to New York? California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The good news is that God is merciful and willing to forgive. Some scholars suspect that verse 26 was added at a later time in order make the connection even more explicit most translations omit it entirely. The temple was the center of life and worship. The fig tree represented the temple, especially her leaders. Who of us hasnt? It looked okay from a distance. When you come to God, you dont get everything you deserve. Mark 11:13-15 "On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. Its an offer to find total cleansing before God, in him alone. It wasnt a big thing, right? The vineyard owner's solution to this unproductive fig tree was blunt: "Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?" But it wasnt, at least not alive to God. These first couple of verses serve as the opening illustration into the main point later on. If not, then cut it down.. On His morning walk to Jerusalem, Jesus has approached a fig tree to see if it has any fruit available to eat. He had something better. From the very beginning in the first few passages of Genesis, to the first psalm, to the first pages of the New Testament, and even when Christ returns, theres a reference of a tree. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. The answer isquite a bit! It did not fulfill its purpose, and as any diligent orchardist would do, Jesus simply eliminated an unproductive tree, not with an ax or a saw, but by faith. With Jesus as our access point to God, we can be sure it will never be compromised. 25:41). But it was said of this fig tree which Jesus and His disciples saw on the Mount of Olives, " for the time of figs was not yet," Mark 11:13. A tree that doesn't grow those buds won't later produce full fruit. Show me the verse about shoes! Neither you nor I want to be on the receiving end of the ax. It wasnt just about making a quick buck. However, Christ used it to teach a profound lesson, and as He often did, He moved right into a parable to drive home the point. The amazing deep colours, the distinctive shape and glorious gentle smell. He is patient and loving. American King James Version). The remainder of the parable shows us the way out! Heres the point. INT: moreover the fig tree learn the. Marks presentation makes the connection between the incident with the fig tree and the cleansing of the Temple more explicit. There has been a wave of serious terror attacks in the wake, Is revival breaking out? Why not earlier? We will have to let Jesus rule in our church. At this point, though, we receive exegesis that goes beyond anything warranted by the previous text alone. Darris is the Associate Media Producer for the Church. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. To go into your backyard and pick your own fruit you watched develop and ripen is both instructive and rewarding. He can now tell you, though, that no matter how good they look, theyre fake. They made it a den of robbers by establishing costly buying and selling and money-changing procedures for the sacrifices. However, this tree had no fruit. If you don't know, or if your answer is pretty weak and unsure, then just consider for a brief moment that this unproductive fig tree could be a symbol of your life. When He talks about each us of us, His eyes shine as He takes pride in the work of our lives even when the work He is doing feels more like loss of life than actual living. The man who checks bags for bombs on our transport system was eating juicy figs and gave one to me with a smile. So lets look at each part, and notice how to spot the real thinghow to spot true worship of God. It isn't that the tree is dead and incapable of producing. They started coming to church. Craig S. Keener, Inter-Varsity Press, 1993, Matthew 21:18-20 & Mark 11:12-14.. ..with the fig tree representing Israel; A tree full of leaves normally should . The parable of the barren fig tree is a parable of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Luke 13:69. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. The story of the fig tree begins in the Garden of Eden, where YEHOVAH God had placed in the midst of the Garden two special trees: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Fruit trees require lot of care and proper handling to continue producing luscious fruit year in and year out. How could Jesus raise it up again in three days? He wont reject an open heart. And though we can see that clearly now, it wasnt so easy to see in Jesus day. We will have to open our hearts to those not like us. There are many more interesting references not mentioned here which are also worth exploring in Judges, Song of Songs, and parables of Yeshua. Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. As Jesus body was torn on the cross, the temple curtain was also torn, as Matthew tells us from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), meaning, God tore it. It shows us a truth about God. As Jesus stated in parable: Faith and the Fig Tree. It was the place to worship. The apostle Paul explains here that these qualities are the fruit of God's Spirit. (Joel, Habakkuk and Haggai) As the leaves came in, the tree would grow little nubs. All rights reserved. Fig tree is a symbol of safety and independence. We have a hunger for true worship, but a dead tree doesnt bear fruit. The GOOD Olive Tree represents Israel, the WILD Olive Tree the Gentiles. This parable, about the Kingdom of God, involves a fig tree, as does the equally brief parable of the barren fig tree. 33Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it e is near, right at the door. The fig tree could be understood as symbolic of Israel Joel 2:2125. What I have given them will be taken from them.'" Jeremiah 8:13 Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. God loves to revive his people. And in Jesus, it could not be easier. Yet at the same time, none of us knows how much time we have leftso we'd better get moving! 24:32; Mark 13:28; Luke 21:29). It is no wonder that this feature of Gods creation crops up repeatedly in the Bible in wonderfully symbollic ways. John the Baptist warned the people about the coming Messiah. The temple was an amazing place. Why did God send Jesus when He did? But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. Do you understand your life? Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Parable of the Lost SheepParable of the TalentsParable of the Good SamaritanParable of Wheat and Tares, 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Ways Anxiety Dominates the Christian Mind. Jesus is not cursing the fig tree. Jesus' miracle involving the fig tree ( Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-24) is the only one in which He brings judgment by a miracle. Your sin isnt too big for him. It withers. Many tiny flowers produce the crunchy little edible seeds that give figs their unique texture. The next morning, Jesus returns to Jerusalem. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. And his disciples heard it. But if not, after that you can cut it down'" (Luke 13:6-9 Luke 13:6-9 [6] He spoke also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. This can happen inside a church too. It also symbolizes fruitfulness. 19And when evening came they went out of the city. Its not enough, however, for someone to simply pray in order to receive things. 1. Jews who were whole-hearted followers of God were likened to 'good figs', and rebellious Jews were likened to 'bad figs'. Why did Jesus take out his anger on the poor fig tree? But if they leave the church because we make it hard for them to worship God, thats between God and us. Well, no, but its also not necessary. 20As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Feb 11, 2019 at 16:54. He can bring you too, no matter how far you are from true worship right now. 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