Bearing Fruit

In the Old Testament Israel is often compared to a fig tree or a vine, and judgment on Israel is compared to its destruction (see Psalm 105:33; Jeremiah 8:13; Hosea 2:12; 9: 10-16; Micah 7:11-6). Jesus had used this image himself in a parable recorded in Luke 13:6-9. In that story, at an earlier point in his ministry, Jesus told about a fig tree that was not producing fruit which the owner was therefore going to cut down.

Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree seems entirely out of character at best and petulant or mean at its worst. We must not think that Jesus was simply angry at the tree and struck out against it like a child might throw down a toy and break it just because he can’t make it work. Jesus was not being petulant.

I do not think that Jesus’ disciples got the point of what he was saying at this time, because if they had understood him, it would have been natural for them to have asked something about the failures of the Pharisees or the shallow nature of their religious practices. They didn’t do this. Instead, they were amazed at the speed with which the fig tree withered and asked him to explain it: “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” (v.20).

When Jesus entered the city on what was to be his last full day of unhindered teaching he was approached by the chief priests and elders of the people who demanded of him: “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” (v.23). Mark expands the list to say that Jesus was approached by “the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders” (Mark 11:27).

You have listened to the testimony of John and the claims of Jesus. You have seen the evidence for his claims. Will you acknowledge that he is the Son of God and the Savior and follow him as your Lord? Will you become a Christian? If you are hesitating, let me tell you a little bit more about the authority of Jesus Christ.