Repentance is necessary, and it is possible with God's help. The account in Matthew 21 is compressed to . The test of true worship is not merely how were feeling about God. At this point, though, we receive exegesis that goes beyond anything warranted by the previous text alone. Every day we hear news reports of accidents, natural catastrophes and attacks that take innocent lives. 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. I wonder if you remember a little interesting thing in verse 11. We've seen that the fig tree represents blessing, well-being, and security. Restoring true worship cost nothing less than the life of Jesus. The fig tree could be understood as symbolic of Israel Joel 2:21-25. The temple in Jerusalem was much the same. This passage is more meaningful than a random case of tree-killing. Fruitlessness leads to judgment. Throughout the scriptures, the plant becomes a symbol of prosperity, wellbeing, and security. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Just like many people today say the right words, but do not live righteously. Thats what Jesus saw when he entered the temple. With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later! Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? He was done looking. Jesus cant be ruined. The fig tree could be understood as symbolic of Israel Joel 2:2125. We have no control over our circumstances, but we do have control over how we respond. Galatians 5:22-23 Galatians 5:22-23 [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 12:10; Ezek. When they were stepped on, they stuck to the bottom of their feet. Like a tree! The implications of all this for Temple-based Judaism would have been obvious to Marks audience. He had something better. He said it shows Jesus as a furious man unable to control his anger, not worthy of the supposed Son of God.. It was definitely identified as Jerusalem in Matt. Mark 11:13 must mean that the particular tree on which Christ expected to find figs was barren, because it had no figs on it at all. So from Genesis to Revelation, the fig features strongly in scriptural symbolism. If not, then cut it down.. In telling them that they could "likewise perish," Jesus was warning that they could be like those who, unexpectedly caught up in circumstances beyond their control, had their lives snuffed out in an instant. Fig. In Luke 13:2 Luke 13:2And Jesus answering said to them, Suppose you that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?American King James VersionJesus responded to the news: "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? It also symbolizes fruitfulness. A tree that doesn't grow those buds won't later produce full fruit. It does not store any personal data. There will be no figs on the tree, AND THEIR LEAVES WILL WITHER. But God is also a God of judgment, and Christ is warning here that a time of final judgment will come on a lifeespecially a life that has had opportunity, warning and the benefit of the doubt. Have faith in God. Yet at the same time, none of us knows how much time we have leftso we'd better get moving! Leaves and fruit also disappear together. Mark 11:13 must mean that the particular tree on which Christ expected to find figs was barren, because it had no figs on it at all. Lets pick it up in verse 12. Sinners couldnt get close to God. Our time to choose Him and bear fruit is running out. But lets take this out of the merely historical realm because this applies to us too. The "Fig-tree" is a New Testament symbol or figure of Israel and was used by Jesus Himself. Notice Jesus doesnt say a mountain. The fig tree bears bountiful figs, ripening principally in the month of August. Stay united with me, as I will with you for just as the branch cant put forth fruit by itself apart from the vine, so you cant bear fruit apart from me. 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. [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? We have an amazing capacity for self-deception and self-justification. Craig Evans, suggests this means that the tree is cursed "forever" although in the light of Romans 11 . In this case, its true worship. And from his purity, he makes us clean. Jesus is hungry, and the tree is not producing fruit as it should. 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). God loves to bring sinners to himself. What did Jesus mean when He spoke of living water? All the other miracles are acts of goodness and mercy. If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you. In the temple, there was no direct access to God for everyone. Next Jesus curses the fig tree during the final week of his mortal life and at the end of his ministry (Matt. Lucky Peepal Tree (Fig Tree): A symbol for happiness, prosperity, longevity, and good luck, this tree is often found around Buddhist shrines. The curse is that the tree will not produce fruit until the end of the age. And now Jesus has shown up. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. He wont reject an open heart. What? Do we blame God, or do we dig our roots in deeper? Israel was just like this fruitless fig tree. Maybe you came here this morning and didnt even know you had this mountain of religiosity blocking your worship. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be taken up and thrown into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 12-14), True worship promotes life with God (vv. He had actually removed a hill in order to build it. Andy Gullahorn is a Nashville songwriter. What Does it Mean That Jesus Was Gods Begotten Son? Why is the Navier-Stokes equation hard to solve? Have you ever felt compelled to get a weight off of your chest. Matthew 24:32-35 32"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. What does Mark 11:13 mean? Right now, because of the word which I have spoken to you, you are pruned. The parable of the barren fig tree offers both good news and bad news. Jesus answered and said to him, Before that Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.American King James Version). 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. Who can stand? When a church becomes a place where its hard to find God, it becomes something other than what God intends. Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love. But its up to us to rely on Jesus for the strength and wisdom to navigate what comes our way. Some take this to mean that Jesus expects the end of the age before the next fig-harvest, but the phrase "end of the age" always has an eschatological sense. Cline, Austin. To go into your backyard and pick your own fruit you watched develop and ripen is both instructive and rewarding. When are figs in season? The Bible is full of verses where Jesus addressed hypocrisy. When he gave Israel to the Jewish people, it was not just any old piece of land God says in Deuteronomy 8. It happens one compromise at a time. The apostle Paul explains here that these qualities are the fruit of God's Spirit. 16And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He witnessed it so often, He used the tree in this story as a vivid depiction of it. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Jesus answered and said to him, Before that Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. And though we can see that clearly now, it wasnt so easy to see in Jesus day. 24:32; Mark 13:28; Luke 21:29). What is so unique special about the fig tree? The Old Testament said this would happen (Isaiah 34:4, Joel 1:7-12, Amos 4:9). Let me propose something for us here at Refuge. It proves once again that Jesus is God. The Case for Messiah. This is the meaning of the fig tree in Luke 13:6-9. There were four layers, each one a step closer to God. The vineyard owner in this story is God, the One who rightly decides whether or not to uproot the trees that are not. On the beach, there were oil deposits. So we need to understand what Jesus was doing. There has been a wave of serious terror attacks in the wake, Is revival breaking out? And when he saves you, he cleanses you, and sends his Spirit to live inside you. According to some researchers, the image is taken from the Old Testament symbol of the fig tree representing Israel, and the cursing of the fig tree in Mark and Matthew and the parallel story in Luke are thus symbolically directed against the Jews, who have not accepted Jesus as king. Who can endure? Gullahorns song ends like this, showing just how foolish our self-deception is. Faith and the Fig Tree. Just looked around. ["Early figs" ripen in June - and a later (second) harvest comes in August and September.] What if they had kept that sign up? Fruit doesn't just appear in the grocery store; it's not grown on a delivery truck. This parable of a barren fig tree is meant to teach us a vital truth. The phrasing in verse 25 is very similar to that in Matthew 6:14, not to mention the Lords Prayer. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Jesus doesnt love hollow religiosity. And Jesus answering said to them, Suppose you that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? God loves to revive his people. 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. The Gospels of Matthew and Mark both tell the story of how Jesus cursed a fig tree which had no fruit just outside of Jerusalem. Throughout the Old Testament, the fig tree held spiritual value as a symbol for Israel, serving as a metaphor for their standing with God. [9] And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that you shall cut it down. In Mark, a day passes between the cursing of the fig tree and the disciples discovery of what happened to it; in Matthew, the effect is immediate. They didnt know any better. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. 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