Lessons Of The Fig Tree

"Today's Devotion" For April 10, 2006

Read: Mark 11:12-14, 20-25; Matthew 21:18-21; Acts 5:1-11

LESSONS OF THE FIG TREE

"The Lord says, 'These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men.'" (Isaiah 29:13)

There are two events that immediately (within the same or the next day) follow Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. One of them is the cleansing of the Temple, the other, the focus of our thoughts today, Jesus' cursing of the fig tree. Both of them are intricately and intimately tied to Jesus' purpose for entering Jerusalem and beginning His final steps to the Cross. Tomorrow we'll talk about the meaning and importance of the cleansing of the Temple. Today let's take a look at "The Lessons of the Fig Tree."

Depending on one's perspective, Jesus' cursing the fig tree, causing it to wither and die, can seem to be either the petulant act of a spoiled child, or the act of an all-powerful, vengeful God whose wrath is absolute, final, and without mercy. Yet, as we look closely at this event through the eyes of faith, we come to an entirely different conclusion. While on the surface this event seems "out of whack," the details tell us that this is an event full of powerful symbolism and makes a statement about our own life of faith and trust in God.

In the area around Jerusalem and Bethany, the fig trees normally begin to get their leaves in March or April, or just about the time of the celebration of Passover. Since they only produce fruit when they're in full leaf, June is generally the first month they will produce fruit. Yet, the fig tree in question was in full leaf bloom. It gave the false impression that it was bearing fruit, a false impression which could be correlated to the people of Israel as they went about the motions of worshiping God. God notes through the Prophet Isaiah that while they're going through the motions, "their hearts are far from Me" (Is. 29:13). It's a picture in that also includes us, as all to often we too make confession of our faith in Jesus and then turn right around and present a different picture to the world.

When it comes to Sin and disobedience to God, God's judgment can be swift. The terrible immediacy of God's judgment toward Sin is very real and not to be ignored, as the immediate withering and dying of the fig tree shows. God doesn't have to give anyone a second chance. God is totally and completely righteous and just. His justice is perfect. Living in obedience to Him isn't optional to a relationship with Him - it's necessary and required. Those who don't produce the "fruits" of righteousness before God are subject to His swift, terrible, perfect, and just judgment.

But this is also a lesson about God's mercy and patience toward us. Unlike with the fig tree, God had continued to be patient with Israel, as He also is with us. God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness toward humanity stands in stark contrast to what happened to the fig tree, and, by rights, should be our lot as well. In fact, as the disciples wondered about the immediate response of the fig tree to Jesus' curse, Jesus teaches them, and us, another lesson.

"How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" the disciples asked. Jesus' response wasn't about the power and majesty of God - and His own position as the Son of God. Rather, His response was to lead the disciples to know and believe that by faith, they, too, would receive God's power to overcome the world and do great things in Jesus' name. He encouraged them to take everything to God in prayer, believing that God will answer their prayer and lift them up to serve Him faithfully and others in His name. Mark tells us that Jesus didn't stop with this point, however. He also tells us to remember that our relationship with God, who forgives us of all our sins, requires that we share that same forgiveness with other.

By faith, according to Jesus, we can "move mountains." By faith, according to Jesus, we receive God's forgiveness and are empowered to share that same forgiveness with others. By God's grace and mercy we have received the gift of His Son, Jesus the Christ, upon whom He has placed His wrath toward Sin. He is the One who grants us faith in Jesus so that we can move those "mountains." Our Father in heaven calls us to come to Him in prayer with our most heartfelt needs and desires, promising that He will hear and answer us. He calls us to experience His mercy and grace as He gives us every opportunity to repent and bring forth much "fruit." These are "the lessons of the fig tree" which give us hope and peace in Jesus.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your great mercy and grace. You put Your wrath toward Sin on Jesus on the Cross. He bore my sins and the sins of all upon Himself so that no one has to suffer the fate of the fig tree. By the power of Your Word and Spirit strengthen my faith in Jesus so that I might fully trust that with You, nothing shall be impossible for me to do in serving You and others in Your name. As You have forgiven me, so also help me to share that forgiveness with others - even when they, like me, are unforgiveable. Let my life be a true reflection of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus so that others might see Jesus through me, believe in Him and be saved. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.