He is available to us all, right now, and every moment from now until we stand before him in heaven. And you know what that makes you? What to know before you start working at Starbucks? Fruit doesn't just appear in the grocery store; it's not grown on a delivery truck. But they came straight from the beach, without shoes and without shirts. It's not even the season for figs, and yet Jesus curses the tree because it is fruitless. Why should it use up the soil?, Sir, the man replied, leave it alone for one more year, and Ill dig around it and fertilize it. It means to stop going in one direction of life, a direction that can be self-destructive, and to turn around and go anotherin a way that's productive and even godly. His point was that we understand this and do what we can and should do, realizing that time and chance could unexpectedly strike at any time. Satisfaction is so important in this process that when there is no fruit you stand looking at the tree trying to understand why it has borne no fruit. Our human viewpoint looks on this curse as capricious and unfair. He is where sinful men and women meet with the Holy God. It was time to act. Its basic meaning is to change. At the beginning of Luke 13 we see where Christ had been informed about some "Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices" (Luke 13:1 Luke 13:1There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.American King James Version). We dont have to set up elaborate trading floors with international exchange rates. But you have made it a den of robbers. Where was it written that it should be a house of prayer? For Israel, exile and wandering has been a byword for punishment and so sitting under your own vine and fig tree is a sign of blessing and security. Jesus was saying that these poor people were just like everyone else. Hosea 9:10 says, When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree., Later, the Bible tells us of the glorious time when, Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. (1 Kings 4:25). Why did Jesus curse the city of Bethsaida? Repentance is not a fashionable word today. Jesus replaced the temple as the object of faith in God. In fact, the OT often uses the fig tree as a symbol of national Israel: "I will take away their harvest, declares the LORD. The next morning, Jesus returns to Jerusalem. This is critical to understand, before a fig tree puts forward leaves in Spring, it produces a small crop of figs called Breba Figs. If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you. How could Jesus raise it up again in three days? Right now, because of the word which I have spoken to you, you are pruned. God gives good gifts. The day before He told this parable, He had entered the temple courts to find His Fathers house turned into a market filled with people who didnt care about God but were taking advantage of those hearts who wanted to honor Him. They chose not to put up a barrier and God brought the people. We just have to let our preferences set the agenda, let our feelings rule our interactions, let Gods word about loving one another for Jesus sake become mild suggestions rather than holy commands. American King James Version). Before delving further into the parable, we need to look at what Christ was saying before He gave it. We have two options: we can make rules to exclude or remove barriers to include. If Gods church is a house of prayera house of worshipthen everyone is welcome. You could eat these, and travelers often did. The good news is that God is merciful and willing to forgive. Every one of them. MARK 11:12-14 AND 20-22 This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It means that through this announcement a new order of life is at hand and we need to obtain a mind-set that fits. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Heres the point. Mt. View More Bible Stories View Mark Chapter 11 Jews who were whole-hearted followers of God were likened to 'good figs', and rebellious Jews were likened to 'bad figs'. As He tends to our branches, He expects a fruitful return of His investment because He willingly paid dearly through the death on the cross. 17:2-10; 19:10-14 ). After reading about it in her Bible, my daughter-in-law once asked me why Jesus cursed a fig tree. Let me propose something for us here at Refuge. Give me one reason not to do church his way. The Old Testament said this would happen (Isaiah 34:4, Joel 1:7-12, Amos 4:9). [7] Then said he to the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why encumbers it the ground? And just as it cost Jesus, it might cost us. He witnessed it so often, He used the tree in this story as a vivid depiction of it. When Jesus told the parable of the fig tree, He was trying to get our attention because He is the master gardener. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/jesus-lesson-of-the-withered-fig-tree-248733. Its a reward to see an apple tree or fig tree weighed down with its luscious fruit ripe for the picking even through lifes storms. These plants dont grow overnight, and it takes time to culture and nurture them their maturity indicates that the gardener has been continuously and steadfastly there, tending to their growth over the years. Darris is the Associate Media Producer for the Church. God has come. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, For three years now Ive been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and havent found any. Do you know what happened to that little church? 12On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. [9] And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that you shall cut it down. 12:10; Ezek. Why? Some varieties (like Black Mission) actually have two seasons: the early summer season produces fruit on old tree branches, and the late-summer/fall season produces fruit on new branches. First, it is seen in Matthew 21:18-22, and then also in Mark 11:12-14. The tree hasn't had the proper care and feeding and is just there, marking time. Why not earlier? He poured out his Spirit. (Mark 11:20-22) Now it probably seems strange that Jesus cursed a tree just because he was hungry and was disappointed, but we'd be missing out on what Jesus was teaching His disciples if we didn't look closer. From Adam and Eve fashioning clothes from the leaves of the fig tree, to Jesus cursing the fig tree; the biblical symbolism of the fig tree has fairly negative connotations, some might even say the fig tree means judgement. A thick, reddish skin covers these large figs that usually weigh in around 80 grams. Parable of the Lost SheepParable of the TalentsParable of the Good SamaritanParable of Wheat and Tares, 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Ways Anxiety Dominates the Christian Mind. Like the fake pears for my son, this passage is a lesson in how to spot the real thing. The answer isquite a bit! We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. This shows us that God both owns us and gives us room to grow spiritually, but He also expects us to produce "fruit"the product of a life of good works of righteousness. A number of examples indicate that the Lord uses a fig tree to represent Israel. American King James Version). The fig tree which you cursed has withered." (v. 21). Forget for a moment the bigger question of "the meaning of life" and just focus on you. This falseness is the essence of hypocrisy. Do you understand your life? When He talks about each us of us, His eyes shine as He takes pride in the work of our lives even when the work He is doing feels more like loss of life than actual living. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". While it is not the season for figs, fig trees would produce small, edible buds before beginning to grow actual figs. About ten years ago, he released a song called I Havent Either. It starts off lighthearted, but the point it makes is profound. And since were already talking about food, this passage comes at us like f a sandwich in three parts: fig tree/temple/fig tree. A The fig tree is often used to represent Israel in the Bible. And there was a curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, representing the distance between the Holy God and sinful man. It was the place to worship. In Luke 13:6-9, we hear Jesus tell a parable about a barren fig tree that should make us pause. Jesus doesnt love hollow religiosity. The cursing and withering of the fig tree are interpreted in the Byzantine tradition as an expression of "foolishness." Of a "shady understanding of Scripture which does not bear good fruit." The fig tree is a shrub of the Moraceae family, one of the many species of the genus Ficus. You can find the answers to these questions. Thats what he wants for you. You can do a whole study of the meaning of Israel as the fig tree and the purpose of the temple. We begin with - Jesus' prophetic act in the temple They made it a den of robbers by establishing costly buying and selling and money-changing procedures for the sacrifices. When there is sufficient faith on the part of someone petitioning him, Jesus is able to heal; when there is a definite lack of faith on the part of those around him, Jesus is unable to heal. The temple was the center of life and worship. The first figs normally begin to appear before the leaves, but as the foliage increases, the . The keeper asks for one more year in which to work with the treeto turn it around and make it useful and productive. In this case, there was a command miracle by which Christ spoke words that would . Maybe hes cleaning some of us out right now. After the worshipful coronation, that triumphal entry, Jesus went into the temple. But its up to us to rely on Jesus for the strength and wisdom to navigate what comes our way. Pre-figs, as it were. Why did God send Jesus when He did? Bethphage, which adjoined Bethany, derives its name from its being a fig region"House of figs." afar off having leavesand therefore promising fruit, which in the case of figs come before the leaves. He enjoys hunting, travel and reading and spending time with his grandchildren. Throughout the Old Testament, the fig tree held spiritual value as a symbol for Israel, serving as a metaphor for their standing with God. Like a tree! I've stood looking at barren trees and asked myself the same questions. 13And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. The fig tree represented the nation of Israel. All the other miracles are acts of goodness and mercy. What is the purpose for you drawing breath, eating food and taking up space on this planet? The reign of sin and death is quickly coming to death as Jesus approaches the fig tree. Faith is the sine qua non for Jesus and would become a defining characteristic of Christianity. Im not saying this is easy. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Add in the fact that Mark said it wasnt the time for figs, and it does seem a bit out of character, doesnt it? This is something Jesus is willing to fight for, and ultimately, die for. We just have to fail to welcome people, fail to make it easy to find Jesus. Christ's cursing of the fig tree is recorded in Matthew 21:17-22 and Mark 11:12-24. God did something powerful. It's better to repent while we have the opportunity! C.S. And now Jesus has shown up. Jesus wants his disciples to see this. Israel was just like this fruitless fig tree. It will take some heart-searching for us to get to Jesus. 24:32-34 Mark 13:28-32; Luke 21:29-33) The Parameters: Matt 24:29-31 says that the events occur "after the tribulation" or "at the end of the tribulation" so we are in a post-tribulation time frame. The harvest of ripened fruit is the reason the tree is taking up valuable real estate. The parable of the barren fig tree offers both good news and bad news. What is the significance of fig trees in the bible? What does a parable about an unproductive fig tree have to do with how you're going about your life? The unlimited power of prayer comes up in other gospels as well, but every time it is always in the context of faith. The temple was defiled, but Jesus cant be defiled. 19And when evening came they went out of the city. Time and chance happen to everyone, Solomon once wrote (Ecclesiastes 9:11 Ecclesiastes 9:11I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all.American King James Version). 24:32; Mark 13:28; Luke 21:29). The Case for Messiah. But those usually arent our biggest problem. First, Jesus explains the power and importance of faith it is faith in God that gave him the power to curse the fig tree and make it wither overnight and similar faith on the disciples' part will give them the power to work other wonders. What does the Bible say about the parable of the fig tree? Then said he to the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why encumbers it the ground? 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