The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.” – Mark 11:12-14
When we think about many of the human qualities that the Bible talks about in describing Jesus, the ones that leave a lasting impression with us are his kindness, his mercy and love, his patience and forgiveness, and his humility. Occasionally we may sense a little frustration with his disciples. But anger? That’s a challenging one, at least for me.
And yet we find ourselves watching the scene play out as he enters Jerusalem. It’s been a long day and Jesus is tired and hungry. And his eyes latch on to this fig tree in the distance. The leaves are green and it appears to be in full bloom. He goes over to the tree expecting to find some nourishment, turning up a few leaves. Nothing. He then walks to the other side and it too is barren.
Few things are more purposeless than a fruit tree that appears to be in full bloom and yet bears no fruit whatsoever. Jesus agreed, for he ended up cursing the worthless tree. “May no one ever eat fruit from you again! (v.14)
This story may seem trivial. “Jesus curses a barren fig tree. What’s the significance in that?” We must continue reading to discover why, and perhaps in doing so we may see a parable being acted out in real-time.
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers” (vv. 15-17)
Was not God’s temple the holiest place in all Jerusalem? Was it not designed and built for the sole purpose of glorifying and worshipping God? And yet the religious authorities had turned it into a moneymaking operation; a marketplace designed to exploit the poor who came there to pray and bring offerings before God.
Thus, the parallel between the Fig Tree and the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus didn’t curse the tree because of its lack of fruit. The tree was cursed for its pretense of green leaves suggesting it bore fruit. And that’s an important distinction compared with what he had witnessed at the temple.
Jesus? Angry? You bet. And justifiably so.
There was life in the tree, but no fruit. People came to the temple hungry for God but found no help to connect with Him. Jesus cursed the tree, and God would judge the temple and the nation of Israel for spiritual fruitlessness only a few decades later.
Former Blackout Artist 