The Cursed Fig Tree
- Apr 15
- 4 min read
Happy 15th and happy Holy Week, everyone! As I come to you today, we are in the midst of commemorating the most significant week in all of history. I hope each of you are soaking in the days leading up to the celebration of the pinnacle of our faith: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This issue is going to be a quick hit. Admittedly, I've been caught up in some life stuff and overall busyness that has left me feeling ill-prepared for this month's issue – which came on top of already missing March. However, I don't want to make skipping a habit, even if it's just for the sake of self-discipline. So, despite the whirlwind, a good friend encouraged me to get something out today, even if it’s short – so here ya go, folks:
One thing that stuck out to me recently, which is timely as the story actually takes place during Holy Week – the week leading up to when Jesus changed everything. The story can be found in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, taking place after Jesus's grand entrance into Jerusalem in preparation for Passover, but before He overturns the tables in the temple. Right in the middle is the story we are going to look at –where Jesus curses the fig tree.
In the story, (Mark 11:12-25 & Matt 21:18-22) Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree along His path, so he went to check it for fruit. While He found plenty of leaves, there were no figs present. We then see Him react by cursing the tree, saying no one would ever eat fruit from it again. His disciples heard Him and then later noticed that the fig tree withered from the roots.
Why does this matter?
Jesus is so intentional, so He knew His disciples would catch this. In the Old Testament, the fig tree was often used to represent Israel, and fruit is consistently used throughout the Bible as an outward sign of inner health (where good fruit indicates a good tree).
Jesus spends a lot of time in His last week before crucifixion challenging Israel’s religious leaders and trying to get them to see the error of their ways. But broadly, this is a lesson for all of us – how can we be sure that we don’t look healthy from afar, but find that there is no real fruit coming from us?
In Mark’s account, in verse 20, the disciples saw the fig tree was withered from the roots. This is significant – the roots are the source of where the plant gets its nutrients. If our proverbial roots aren’t anchored to Jesus as our life source, we also won’t be able to bear fruit (hello, FOTV founding verses in John 15!).
To the naked eye, it seemed like the plant which was full of leaves should have had fruit. Nothing gets past Jesus, however – He is all-knowing and would have already known the tree didn’t have fruit… but He wanted to make a point.
Similarly, He also knows the true condition of our hearts; there is no hiding from Him. It doesn’t matter if we look the part – attending church, saying the right Christian words, finding ourselves busy with ministry related activities – if there isn’t actual intimacy with God, we are no better than the fig tree that was cursed.
Like the bustling temple courts during Passover (which Jesus publicly rebuked in the next part of the story), the fig tree put on a good show to the quick eye. But in the end, it was inspected and judged for its lack of fruit and died. May that not be the case with us!
What will the Lord find upon close inspection of your own life? Will He find only leaves – or will He find figs too?
I pray He finds people filling His church this weekend that aren’t there just to go through the motion for Easter’s sake, but that He finds people who love and worship Him wholly. And for those that don’t yet know what it means to bear fruit, let’s love them, invite them, and show them!
Lastly as I wrap, here’s some additional content that has recently benefited me – oh, and because I missed last month, you get a double portion!
• To Sharpen (#2): I Was Slipping. Fasting Was the Answer. - Whoa That's Good Podcast with Sadie Robertson Huff & Jen Johnson
• To Worship: Abandoned - Benjamin William Hastings & Brandon Lake
• To Worship (#2): I Looked Up | Sons of Sunday
• To Soak (#2): PEACE | IN HIS PRESENCE | Soaking worship instrumental
• To Ponder: Romans 11:6
• To Ponder (#2): Proverbs 14:15
May you have a reflective and heartfelt Good Friday, followed by a joyful and celebratory Resurrection Sunday! And as always, I ask you to remember this truth: your life and what you do with it matters. The world needs you, and as you follow and remain in Jesus, you WILL bear fruit!
Much Love,
Kellie
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