‘And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once’ (Matthew 21:19 ESV).
The morning after Jesus had overturned the tables of the money changers in the Temple, reminding them that God’s house was to be a house of prayer, he was hungry and saw a fig tree along the way. Yet, even though it was green with leaves, it had no fruit. So, Jesus cursed the tree because of its lack of fruit.
Was this the action of impatience or frustration because of His hunger? No. The fig tree was a symbol of fruitless Israel. They had the Law and the Prophets and the beautiful Temple with all of its sacrifices, yet they had filled the outer court, which was meant for the Gentiles’ prayer, with booths for commerce. And more than that, they had rejected the very Messiah for Whom all of these were given. Their leaves were green, but they did not bear fruit. By the end of the week, they would crucify Jesus. And before that generation passed, the Temple would be destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
Yet Jesus was raised and the gospel has gone out to the nations. One day, the fig tree, which is Israel, will recognize Christ as Lord and will be withered and fruitless no more.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we want to always abide in Jesus and He in us, so that we bear fruit. We want our lives to glorify Jesus in every way. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to live for You this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.