A few years ago, Brooke and I moved into a new house that needed some serious TLC to say the least. One of the areas that needed attention quickly was a fig tree in the backyard. Not only was it planted in an unmanageable spot, but it also had been so neglected that it was going to take over the whole neighborhood without some serious pruning. So, considering we are non-fig eaters, it was an easy decision just to cut the tree down and recapture the yard space. That’s a lot easier said than done! Every year, I would cut the tree back to the ground, and every year it would spring up new growth overnight.

I aimed plenty of curses toward that fig tree, but none landed like Jesus’ in Matthew 21. Admittedly, Matthew 21:18-22 isn’t a parable in the traditional sense. Maybe we can think of it more as an enacted parable. In this brief moment that seems somewhat out of character for Jesus, we find both a warning in action and a hope promised.

The appearance of leaves on the tree promised nourishing fruit, and yet there was nothing sweet or satisfying to be found. With a simple but strong word, Jesus causes this fruitless fig tree to wither and die because of the unmet expectations. It seems a little harsh to me to be honest. But I can’t help but think about God’s Word to the Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:15-16:

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”

God has always been serious about those who pretend but don’t produce life. At one point Jesus called a group of religious leaders “whitewashed tombs” because they looked good on the outside but could not offer life, just like the tree with no fruit. Don’t miss what is happening here. Jesus is not concerned with the appearance you give off but with the fruit that is produced.

Now, the plot twist: the fruit found in your life isn’t produced BY you but THROUGH you. Not long ago, we read in Galatians 5 where Paul explains the fruit that the Spirit of God produces in us - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. That is what Jesus longs to see produced in your life through the Holy Spirit at work in you.

Reflections:

• Read Galatians 5:22-23 slowly. Meditate on what those characteristics look like in your life. Are there any areas you need to pay careful attention to?

Family Application: The Barren Fig Tree

Author: Amy Stampley

• This is another parable that God uses to teach a story. Trees are often used in the Bible to show us how things grow, and fruits are used to symbolize usefulness. In this story, Jesus sees a fig tree with no fruit. Jesus is angry that the tree has leaves and no fruit, so it is not fulfilling its purpose. He tells the tree to wither up and die. When the disciples ask how this happened, He compares the command to the fig tree to wither and die to His followers asking for something in prayer and believing it will be done. He tells the disciples that if they have faith, they can tell the mountain to move, and it will move. If you ask these things and believe, He will give His believers power through prayer according to His will.
• Many things can make our hearts feel heavy, and Jesus teaches us to pray about those things. He says that if you believe in what you pray for, God will answer that prayer. It is important that if we have faith and we believe in Him, we believe that He will answer us.
• Do you need Jesus to help you with something? If you have faith that God will help you and you pray believing that He will, you will see Him move in your life. His answer is not always yes, but He will answer you.
• Prayer: Dear God, help us to live out our faith by praying and believing in You. Help us to see the ways that You answer our prayers. Help us to boldly share our faith with others as we grow stronger in You. Amen.