On Monday of Passover Week, Jesus cursed the fig tree. Why?
In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Matthew 21:18-22 (NLT)
Figs are the fruit of the fig tree. According to the Bible Background Commentary, figs appear first, then the leaves or at least, the figs and leaves will appear about the same time. The fact that there were leaves indicated there should have been figs; even though they might have been green, they would have been there.
The lesson for Jesus' disciples is simply this: Figs should be on fig trees. Leaves alone are like saying, I have fruit, but yet none appears. Certainly Israel professed religion, but there was no true fruit for they had rejected Christ, the Messiah. Faith for the Christian means a fruitful life. Jesus is teaching his disciples, then and now, that a life that professes Christ (leaves on the tree) will be marked by faith (figs-fruit) as proof of it.
Who are you praying for and inviting to Easter services and to Christ? May God give you figs (fruit) for your faithfulness.
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