S) "18 Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. 19 Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He *said to it, 'No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.' And at once the fig tree withered."
Matthew 21:18-19 (NASB)
O) Let me preface by saying, I don't know this to be true, but the thoughts occurred to me today while reading this chapter, and I will explore this a little. Jesus used many, many parables. No small number of those parables had to do with trees bearing fruit. Farming was certainly a large industry during the first century, and the people would have had an easy time relating to parables about farming. The same is true for shepherding, which Jesus used a lot as well. In this particular passage, the actions of Jesus, followed by the words in vv. 21-22, appear to be about faith. So again, I don't want to take things out of context, but this makes for an interesting thought, I think... there were a great many physical miracles Jesus could point to, revealing the power of faith in His name. So, why would He curse the fig tree? The words say it: He was looking for fruit and found none. This tree had no fruit, Jesus spoke His judgment, His righteous judgment, and the tree was immediately dead. Is it possible, given the way Jesus spoke about bearing fruit, and judgment, that this was not only an example of faith in His name, but also a parable about bearing fruit? Reading Matthew 3:10, 7:19, and Luke 3:9; there will be a judgment for unfruitful trees.
A) The thing that alarmed me the most about this passage, was the suddenness of the approach, judgment, and execution. Jesus made it clear in several places, that His coming judgment would be swift. Somehow, seeing Him judge this fig tree so quickly, so decisively, really drove the point home. Just as the fig tree had no more opportunity to plead its case, I must understand that on judgment day, I will have no argument. There will be no excuses. I don't think God requires a full harvest of fruit. I also don't think that it's possible to not bear fruit, so long as Jesus is my vine, and I am His branches. Even small or sparse fruit, is better than bad or no fruit at all. Jesus is the source. I cannot have a fruitful life apart from Him. I have no fear, as long as I am with Him, and He with me. I am assured of that. Nevertheless, this verse is a good reminder, a good picture, of just how swift His righteous judgment is.
P) Father, You are holy, righteous, and just. Apart from You I was wretched, guilty, and just plain evil. In Your grace, You have uprooted me, and replanted me in Your kingdom. I know that You are not done pruning my branches, Lord. I know that it is sometimes painful. But God, when Jesus approaches me, I pray He finds all the fruit He could ever want! Help me to be obedient, and diligent. I want to be a good steward of every branch You have given me. Let Your will be done, Father. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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