Matthew 21:19

New King James Version

And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.

For Encouragement

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 stumping of the multitude’s feet hangs over the city like a mushroom. Jerusalem was in an 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 a recipe for confused jubilation. Nobody knew why they were celebrating, yet they came, praising God in tumultuous exaltation (Lk. 19:37).

What a day that was! Jesus has fulfilled Prophesy (Zech.9:9). His entry has raised expectations for the ouster of Rome and the establishment of a glorious kingdom (Mk. 11:9-10). All that sets the stage 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 Jesus upset this morning? Why is He fussing like a baby not getting what it wants? Didn’t the Son of Man have breakfast before leaving Bethany? 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?

Deception is something 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, why put on the look of it?

The Lord made this a teachable moment for His disciples. The fig is a metaphor for the Jewish people (Hosea 9:10). The image of the withered fig tree represented God’s judgment (12:2). Jesus looked for righteous living in Israel but, for three years, found nothing to show that they were God’s special possession (Luke 13:6-9; cf. Deut. 4:20). The nation put on a show of piety but delivered everything ungodly. Therefore, it deserved judgment instead of a blessing.

The fig tree revealed the people’s false mood the previous day. The celebration was a pretentious show. Soon, they will call for His life on the cross. Their hearts were far from Him, their Messiah. They have 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 stately buildings and carefully choreographed services. But will Jesus find fruit when He comes close to His harvest? We may look excellent and spiffy as Christians to the outside world, but why are they repelled when they draw close to coming to Jesus? If only we would put off the masks and put on Christ!

So, may you be a fruit-bearing Christian and not a fruitless one, and may the Lord find delight in you and bless you (Jn. 15:8).

Prayer

Father, help us eschew hypocrisy in our walk with Jesus, but produce fruit in keeping with repentance, as John the Baptist told the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 3:7-8). Thank you, in the Matchless name of Jesus. Amen.

Shalom