The Fig Tree
Here is something that the Holy Spirit has taught me and I trust that you will be blessed from this as well. It all comes from an event that transpired as Jesus was just a few days out from Calvary, and the tree probably grew on the other side of the Mount of Olives as Jesus had just left Bethany which is a village very close to Jerusalem and in the next valley, just up and over the Mount of Olives, when this event transpired.
Matthew 21:18-21 “Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw [it], they marvelled, saying, how soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, if ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.”
Quote; “It was not a common thing for a fig tree to present full foliage at that early period of the season. The fruit of the fig tree makes its appearance before the leaves; therefore a fig tree in full leaf might be expected to have fruit upon it. Christ approached the tree, expecting to find fruit there, but searching from the lowest bough to the topmost branch, He found nothing but leaves, and His curse fell upon it.
This instance in the ministry of Christ is a singular one. It was unlike the ways and works of Christ. . . . Wherever He went He scattered mercy in words of counsel and deeds of goodness. He was the Restorer, the Healer. He came not to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. The disciples could not understand the action of Christ in punishing a tree for its barrenness, and they said unto Him, “How soon is the fig tree withered away!”
Just before this Christ had made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. For the second time He had cleansed the temple and had driven out from its courts the traffickers. . . . Dishonest dealing was practiced by the people who brought cattle to sell in the temple courts, but the word of command was given; divinity flashed through humanity, and no priest in his gorgeous dress, or trafficker looking on that countenance, dared to remain. . .
This was a parable of the dispersion of the Jews. Now Christ, under the symbol of the blighted tree, presents before His disciples the righteous anger of God as He sees the temple courts desecrated to obtain unlawful gain, and the destruction of the Jewish nation. That tree, flaunting its pretentious foliage in the very face of Christ, was a symbol of the Jewish nation, which had been separating from God until, in their pride and apostasy, they had lost their power of discernment and knew not their Redeemer. . . .
This blighted fig tree with its pretentious branches is to repeat its lesson in every age to the close of this earth’s history. . . . If the spirit of Satan entered unto unsanctified hearts in the days of Christ to counterwork the requirements of God in that generation, it will surely enter into the professed Christian churches in [our day]. History will repeat itself. . . . But the people who obey the commandments of God have no controversy. They take the Word of God for their guide. {CTr 256}
Quote; “Those who thus live for self are like the fig tree, which made every pretension, but was fruitless. When Christ came to it, seeking fruit because He was hungry, no fruit rewarded His search. He pronounced a withering curse on this tree. “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth forever,” He said; and presently the fig tree withered away. This fruitless tree symbolized the condition of the Jewish nation at that time. Every opportunity and privilege were granted them. Christ came to show them the way of life, but they were determined to walk in their own selfish way, and the Lord gave them up as joined to their idols. He left them to perish in the destruction of Jerusalem. Had they kept the law of God, they would have done the same unselfish work that Christ did, and would thus have fulfilled God’s purpose for them. {ST 23/5/1900}
Quote; “The church without living godliness is like the fig tree, to which Christ, hungering for food, came and searched for fruit, and found nothing but leaves. This is as it is with many who profess religion; and our position, having as we have, great light, great opportunities, great privileges, will bring the curse that came upon the fig tree, upon all who have a name to live, and are fruitless. When Christ uttered the words, “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth forever,” presently “the fig tree withered away.” {SpTA10 20}
Dear Reader; Are you, like me, seriously challenged about the abundance of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, or the lack thereof. Are we feeding those who need spiritual food, or do we have a form of Godliness and no power, no fruit, just pretentious leaves? Now is the time for us to repent and to become fruitful and a blessing to all those about us, so let us all be full leafed and bountifully fruitful in season and out of season, providing bountifully spiritual food to all who come starving to us for nourishment and Salvation.
