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The Withered Fig Tree
Have you ever seen someone lose their cool over something that, to you, feels pretty small? Maybe it happened in class. Someone gets fed up and lashes out and no one knows why. Maybe you’ve seen your parents do it, and all of a sudden, you’re in trouble, and you don’t know why. Maybe you’ve seen someone lose it in a restaurant or in traffic.
I think, had we been one of the disciples, we might have felt that way about Jesus on the day He was leading them back into the city. in Matthew 21 Jesus walks up to a fig tree to get some figs because he’s hungry. But this fig tree didn’t have fruit, so Jesus curses it, and it withers and dies! What?!
I think, had we been one of the disciples, we might have felt that way about Jesus on the day He was leading them back into the city. in Matthew 21 Jesus walks up to a fig tree to get some figs because he’s hungry. But this fig tree didn’t have fruit, so Jesus curses it, and it withers and dies! What?!
When He was tempted in the desert after fasting for 40 days the devil tried to get Him to turn rocks to bread so He could eat and He was like, “Nah, I’m good.” But now he needs a snack and because this poor fig tree doesn’t have any figs it gets zapped. Seems a little extra, right?
What’s the big deal about a fig tree that doesn’t produce fruit, anyway? Well, just like with your classmate, and your parents, and the person at the restaurant and in traffic, there’s probably more to the story.
There is! In Scripture, Israel, the people of God, are represented using the symbol of figs on a fig tree. Consider Hosea 9:10, “When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved.” Do you see it? Jesus, in His actions, was referencing this well-known prophecy from Hosea. In this passage it’s prophesied that the curse of Israel’s disobedience will be to wither. In verse 16 of the same chapter, Hosea goes on to say as much, “Ephraim is blighted, their root is withered, they yield no fruit.”
Jesus went on from the withered fig tree and was subjected to hours of questioning by religious leaders who were trying to trap him. Jesus handled Himself perfectly, and at the end of their failed mock trial, the religious leaders “assembled in the palace of the high priest and plotted to arrest Jesus and kill him.” (Matthew 26:3-4). Jesus anticipated the whole thing when He withered the fig tree.
What about us?
I had a conversation with a student the other day who was struggling watching a friend make decisions that were hurting himself and others. He felt trapped, and told me, “I want to confront him and help, but I’m not supposed to judge him.” We talked about the difference between judgement and discernment.
We cannot “judge” our friends for the things they do that go against God because we don’t have that authority. We can’t know the full story, and we are sinners ourselves. How can we judge our friends when we’re guilty. On the other hand, if you know the truth, you can spot a lie, i.e. you can discern where someone may be struggling with a blind spot or being deceived. The loving thing to do for your friend in that situation is to humbly tell them the truth. Perhaps you’ll spare them from needless pain and sorrow. If someone you know is pursuing a fruitless goal, don’t just leave them barren, call them on it.
We, as believers in Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, are called to be like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season. We are called to bear fruit. We are called to love each other well by bearing each other’s burden spurring each other on toward love and good deeds (Galatians 6 & Hebrews 10).
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What’s the big deal about a fig tree that doesn’t produce fruit, anyway? Well, just like with your classmate, and your parents, and the person at the restaurant and in traffic, there’s probably more to the story.
There is! In Scripture, Israel, the people of God, are represented using the symbol of figs on a fig tree. Consider Hosea 9:10, “When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved.” Do you see it? Jesus, in His actions, was referencing this well-known prophecy from Hosea. In this passage it’s prophesied that the curse of Israel’s disobedience will be to wither. In verse 16 of the same chapter, Hosea goes on to say as much, “Ephraim is blighted, their root is withered, they yield no fruit.”
Jesus went on from the withered fig tree and was subjected to hours of questioning by religious leaders who were trying to trap him. Jesus handled Himself perfectly, and at the end of their failed mock trial, the religious leaders “assembled in the palace of the high priest and plotted to arrest Jesus and kill him.” (Matthew 26:3-4). Jesus anticipated the whole thing when He withered the fig tree.
What about us?
I had a conversation with a student the other day who was struggling watching a friend make decisions that were hurting himself and others. He felt trapped, and told me, “I want to confront him and help, but I’m not supposed to judge him.” We talked about the difference between judgement and discernment.
We cannot “judge” our friends for the things they do that go against God because we don’t have that authority. We can’t know the full story, and we are sinners ourselves. How can we judge our friends when we’re guilty. On the other hand, if you know the truth, you can spot a lie, i.e. you can discern where someone may be struggling with a blind spot or being deceived. The loving thing to do for your friend in that situation is to humbly tell them the truth. Perhaps you’ll spare them from needless pain and sorrow. If someone you know is pursuing a fruitless goal, don’t just leave them barren, call them on it.
We, as believers in Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, are called to be like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season. We are called to bear fruit. We are called to love each other well by bearing each other’s burden spurring each other on toward love and good deeds (Galatians 6 & Hebrews 10).
Westminster Christian School, located in Palmetto Bay, Florida, is a private, college-preparatory school for children from preschool through twelfth grade.