March 19, 2022 – “The Fruitless Fig Tree”        

“And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.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.” Mark 11:11-14

“The fruitless fig tree” – one of the parables where a fig tree plays a prominent role. For the Prophets, the fruitless fig tree was a metaphor for the people of Israel—like in Joel 1:7: It has laid waste my vines, and splintered my fig trees; it has stripped off their bark and thrown it down; their branches have turned white.

Micah 7:1: Woe is me! For I have become like one who, after the summer fruit has been gathered, after the vintage has been gleaned, finds no cluster to eat; there is no first-ripe fig for which I hunger.

Hosea 9:10: Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree, in its first season, I saw your ancestors.
But they came to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to a thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved.

For Jesus, the fruitless fig tree is the people of Israel. They had become a people whose faith was fruitless – they were going through the motions, but were not impacted in the heart. Jesus wants us to bear good fruit, worthy of repentance. Our faith in G-d should produce fruit – not so that we have salvation, but because Jesus has won that salvation for us. Our fruit instead helps with our Sanctification—our journey with Holiness.

This text can be a frightening text – because it shows the power of G-d to smite – without consideration – and to smite with a mighty hand.

But there is another parable involving a fig tree—in Luke 13. This story talks about the gardener who asks for and is granted more time to fertilize the fig tree. This fig tree story is a story of Grace–the Luke story is a true story of the Grace that Jesus offers us all. Jesus gives us chance after chance after chance to bear fruit worthy of repentance.

Let us pray

Lord Jesus, I know there have been times in my life where I have been fruitless. Give me the power of your holy spirit today so I can bear good fruit. Help me to share out of your abundance. Amen.

Pastor Dave