Matthew 21:18-22 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.
When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Many people read this and have to take pause. "Wow! This sure does not fit the mold of Jesus being the loving savior of the world!" And of course, they are right. It does not fit that mold of Jesus. But the problem is not with Jesus ... but the mold in which we have cast him. And that mold is plainly wrong!
So ... what is going on in this passage? The MacArthur Study Bible offers up this insightful explanation:
"Jesus’ cursing of the tree was a purposeful divine object lesson, not an impetuous act of frustration. The fig tree is often employed in Scripture as a symbol of Israel (Hos. 9:10; Joel 1:7)—and the barren fig tree often symbolizes divine judgment on Israel because of her spiritual fruitlessness despite an abundance of spiritual advantages (Jer. 8:13; Joel 1:12). Jesus’ act therefore illustrates God’s judgment against earthly Israel for shameful fruitlessness, exemplified in the rejection of their Messiah. One of Christ’s parables taught a similar lesson (Luke 13:6–9)."
Wow! This passage should cause every single one of us to pause and take a long, hard look at ourselves. Are we bearing fruit for God? Do we live in such a way that people see and hear Jesus in us? Can I point to a difference I have made in another's life? Hard questions to ask ... but necessary ones to answer!
Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj
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