Jesus and the Fig tree

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it. And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers." And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city. As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered." And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And 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." - Mark 11:12‭-‬25 ESV 

Rev. Dwight Yoo

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

After Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, they left and stayed at Bethany. This was a small place two miles outside of Jerusalem. Jesus was hungry and sees a fig tree full of leaves. But there is no fruit. The author notes that this was not the season of figs. Jesus curses the tree. This is the only miracle where it does not look like an act of restoration. This is the last miracle of Jesus before His death. This was a parable played out. A true faith produces real fruit. This tree has all the leaves but no fruit. Jesus curses the tree loud enough for the disciples to hear. That was the point. Israel was often referred to as a fig tree. Israel had an elaborate ceremonial temple with priests as decked out. But no fruit. The Romans would come and level the temple... much like a withered fig tree.

The Lesson Fleshed Out

Jesus goes into the temple during the time of passover. Many people would be traveling to the temple at this time. Not only that, but temple sacrifices are required. So there were animals for sale there. The offerings at the temple needed to happen in a certain currency. Jesus threw them out. Jesus was not condemning the sale of animals for sacrifice or money changing. This was a needed thing. But the temple complex was not the proper place for it. Imagine shoppers or pedestrians cutting through a church's Sunday service... It is not the place for it. The den of robbers referred to money changers who likely ripped off the travelers. 

"Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, 'We are delivered!'—only to go on doing all these abominations? Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the Lord. " - Jeremiah 7:9‭-‬11 ESV 

What does it mean to be a den of robbers? It is where robbers go to hide... so they can keep on doing what they are doing. So it is with Israel, all the trappings of religious life, but no fruit. So it is with the church, all this religious ritual, but what of the fruit? Do we say the right things, appear generous, and without actively breaking laws... But without leaving our idols behind. Do we find God boring? Or is He wonderous in our eyes?

The Fruit of Faith

What then is authentic faith? It is found in how we pray. We will pray and believe that God will be true to his promise. Our prayers will believe that God can work miracles, the impossible. But this is not a blank check. We cannot use prayer to wield God for our own desires. We aren't to ask for a private jet, tropical island, etc. Our prayer must be in line with God's will be done and kingdom come. 

A heart filled with authentic faith will know forgiveness. It will know how to let go of the wrongs and sins of others. Otherwise, it is the heart of a debt collector.