Today our reading is  Mark 11-12.  I’m calling the episode “The Fig Tree.”

Jesus entered Jerusalem a day earlier to the cries of “Hosanna!” This was his last week on Earth. Near the end of the day, he went to Bethany with his disciples (the twelve).

During his return trip from Bethany to Jerusalem, Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree in the distance with leaves on it. Because fig trees usually have fruit before the leaves appear, Jesus expected there to be fruit on the tree. But when he approached the tree and saw none, he cursed it. It is interesting that fig trees often bear two or three crops of figs in a growing season, and depending on climate and growing conditions, fig trees can bear fruit ten months out of the year. So it was certainly reasonable to expect fruit on a tree that had leaves on it.

Symbolically, fig trees are often used in Scripture to represent Israel. Note that after Jesus cursed the tree, he went directly to the Temple, where he threw out those who were selling and buying. The cursing of the fig tree, and the cleansing of the Temple had great spiritual meaning. It was a criticism of the spiritual condition of Israel and how they were worshipping. This criticism can also be extrapolated to those who profess to be Christians, but who are bearing no fruit. 

A fruitful fig tree was a symbol of blessing and prosperity for the nation of Israel, and a dead fig tree represented judgement. So the fig tree here in Mark 11 showed that Israel was spiritually dead. They had the outward signs of being religious with their sacrifices and such, but their sin revealed the fact that they were, in fact, spiritually dead. By cursing the tree and cleansing the Temple, Jesus showed that He had the authority to bring judgement. 

Having the signs of religion, having leaves as it were, or going through the motions of religion is not sufficient. A religious life cannot save save you. A religious life cannot bring approval from God. Why? Because as the apostle Paul said in Romans 3:23, “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin must be paid for. Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death.” But Jesus came to take that death penalty for you and for me upon Himself. And on the third day after he was buried in a tomb He was resurrected, defeating sin and death. Jesus offers the gift of salvation to anyone who will believe in Him. Jesus said in John 3:16-18, 16“For this is how God loved the world: He gave3:16 Or For God loved the world so much that he gave. his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.18“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.”

If there were any other way to be saved, to have peace with God, Jesus would not have had to die on a cross. But He said,  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” 

Once we accept Jesus, we begin to bear spiritual fruit.  Jesus said in John 15:5-8  

5I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. 6If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us what the fruit of the spirit is.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control.

Notice that these are called the fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is at work, bringing about fruit in the lives of believers. This is not something that is a result of human effort.  An apple tree doesn’t *try* to grow apples. It just grows apples. A Christian in whom dwells the Holy Spirit, just begins to bear the fruit of the Spirit. That is what the Holy Spirit does in the believer. As we yield ourselves to Him, He begins His work in us.

So how are your branches looking? Is there some fruit? 

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Chapter 11-12 CEB

Lifespring! HymnStories 10 “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”

HS20: Lifespring! HymnStories “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

HS56: Lifespring! HymnStories “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”

HS60: Jesus, Lover Of My Soul

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