Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

Matthew 21:19

What a joyful celebration it was. The crowd, the palm branches and cloaks spread on the road, the singing, and Jesus riding on the colt. The cloud of dust from the stomping of the multitudes feet, hang over the city like mushroom. Jerusalem was in uproar.

“Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!”

Three key groups surrounded Jesus on His triumphal entry into Jerusalem with different expectations. There was the crowd that followed Him from Galilee. Another group came from the city, curious about the man rumored to have raised Lazarus of Bethany. Then there was the official group comprising the notorious Pharisees, teachers of the law, and chief priests. Now, that was recipe for confused jubilation. Nobody knew exactly why they were celebrating, yet they came, praising God in tumultuous exaltation (Lk. 19:37).

What a day that was! Prophesy has been fulfilled (Zech.9:9), expectation of the ouster of Rome and establishment of a glorious kingdom has been raised (Mk. 11:9-10), and the stage is set for a showdown with the Jewish authorities that would culminate in His crucifixion. Jesus, therefore, leaves the city for the night in Bethany (11).

So, why is He upset this morning? Why is Jesus fussing like a baby that is not getting what it wants? Why didn’t He have breakfast before leaving Bethany, if He was that hungry? Why is He taking His anger on the poor fig tree? Yes, it was in bloom, but it was taking its time to bear fruit. So, why take issue with it, Teacher?

You see, deception is an act God hates to the core (Rev 3:15-17). It is the chief craft of the devil himself. It is everything against Christ (2 Jn. 1:7), who is the Truth (Jn. 14:6). That is what the fig tree had become, and Jesus hated it. It promised fruit by its looks but delivered nothing. Though it wasn’t the season for figs, but why put on the look of it?

The Lord made this as a teachable moment for His disciples. It was a condemnation of Israel, His vineyard. He came for a harvest, but for three years, found nothing (Lk. 13:6-9). The nation put on a show of piety but delivered everything ungodly. Therefore, it was deserving of a curse instead of blessings.

The fig tree revealed the falsehood in the people’s mood the previous day. The celebration was a show and pretentious. Very soon, they would be calling for His life on the cross. Their hearts were far from Him, their Messiah. They had become a fruitless generation, and doom would hang on them shortly. This is a judgment and warning for us today as it was for the Jews of that day.

The church looks nicely adorned with big buildings and carefully choreographed services. But will Jesus find fruit when He comes close for His harvest? We may look good and spiffy as Christians to the outside world, but why are they repelled when they draw close to come to Jesus? If only we will put off the masks and put on Christ!

So, may you be a fruit-bearing Christian, as you celebrate the Lord’s Triumphal Entry today, and may the Lord find delight in you and bless you (Jn. 15:8).

Shalom