Wednesday, March 27, 2013

NOTHING BUT LEAVES...

During the week between the "triumphant entry" into Jerusalem and His crucifixion, Jesus never stopped teaching.  He taught me a lesson this week from the Scripture in Mark 11:12-26, where He placed a curse on a fig tree.

I must admit that, after having read this same passage scores of times in my life, my perception has almost always been the same.  Understandably, since Jesus was hungry (verse 12), He would want to satisfy that natural feeling by having a few figs for His early morning breakfast.  In the distance ahead, He saw a fig tree already in leaf and "went to find out if it had any fruit" (verse 13a).

It always puzzled me, however, that He looked for figs although "it wasn't the season for figs" (verse 13b).  Jesus well knew it wasn't the time for harvesting figs, both, because fig trees were very common in His homeland, and, because He made fig trees to begin with (John 1:1-3).  Why, then, did Jesus hope to find figs on the tree to eat?

In my yard I have several fig trees that are between three to twelve years old.  We have a long growing season here in the southeastern United States.  Naturally, those trees have started the "leafing" process this year.  Over the years I have observed that, occasionally, on one or two of the trees a fig or two may start early growth and ripen by the time the leaves have filled out.  Therefore, Jesus may very well have expected to find a fig to eat.

In addition to finding something to eat, it is a normal thing to expect, at this point of early Spring growth, several tiny figs will have appeared already.  A healthy fig tree will start showing the prospects of fruit early on.  There are still figs in my freezer from last year's picking.  By now, if there aren't any tiny figs appearing on my trees, I don't need to expect any harvest this year.

But, what about my lesson?  Actually, this full passage of Scripture has a long list that will do me for many years to come.  Some of those are


  • By their fruit you will know them  (See Matthew 7:15-21)  Jesus wasn't looking for grapes on the fig tree.
  • His house is to be a house of prayer, not a habitat for profit or show (verse 17).
  • Faith in God to answer us when we pray (verses 22-24).
  • Forgiveness from us to others (verse 25).
  • Forgiveness from God to us (verses 25-26).
Again, what about my lesson this week?  In the latter part of verse 13, Mark wrote, "When He reached it (the fig tree), He found nothing but leaves..."  May God help me!  This is why Jesus cursed the fig tree with these words, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again."  Jesus was teaching His disciples, "and His disciples heard Him say it." (verse 14b).

It was "the chief priests and the teachers of the law" (verse 17) that Jesus spoke about, but it was to the disciples that He taught.

  • Don't make "just a show of being fruit bearers."  Nothing but leaves..
  • Do something for God.  Even a few figs would have satisfied His hunger.  (verse 12).  Offer your lunch like the lad with the "loaves and fishes" in John 6:1-15.
May my prayer today sincerely not be, "I thank You that I am not like 'the chief priests and the teachers of the law' "  (See Luke 18:11)  May my prayer be, "Lord, let me feed someone today with the "fruit of the Spirit"  (Galatians 5:22-23).  May I be more than a showing of leaves with no fruit.

Join me today in praying that we bear fruit for Jesus' sake.  Join me in witnessing to the lost about a saving Savior.  Join me in sharing His wonderful love and grace--not just this week, but for a lifetime.

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