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. (Joel, Habakkuk and Haggai) Have faith in God. So when they passed by the fig tree again and it had withered away to its roots. Many say, it represents Israel, and her becoming a nation again, others say it has nothing to do with Israel and saying so reads too much into the text. At the beginning of Luke 13 we see where Christ had been informed about some "Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices" (Luke 13:1 Luke 13:1There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.American King James Version). It was an atrocity committed by the Roman ruler of the province upon the Galileans. Thats why he returns to the fig tree, which is our next point. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree when it was not the season for figs? 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. The temple was amazing. And when he saves you, he cleanses you, and sends his Spirit to live inside you. When a church becomes a place where its hard to find God, it becomes something other than what God intends. It did not fulfill its purpose, and as any diligent orchardist would do, Jesus simply eliminated an unproductive tree, not with an ax or a saw, but by faith. View More Bible Stories View Mark Chapter 11 The fig tree represented the nation of Israel. 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. Gods glory was at stake. Jesus cursed the fig tree because it had the appearance of fruitfulness, but it was deceptive. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. He prunes off the dead parts of our lives that wont serve us. It was a gift. Everyone has a chance to meet Jesus. A fig tree produces both good and bad (inedible) fruit. You are alive. A tree that doesn't grow those buds won't later produce full fruit. Trees were the only item mentioned in the Bible as pleasing to the eye in the creation account. It was like the fig treefull of leaf but without fruit. God loves to bring sinners to himself. (12-14) Jesus curses a fig tree. The Case for Messiah. Throughout the Old Testament, the fig tree held spiritual value as a symbol for Israel, serving as a metaphor for their standing with God. The fruit it was not producing was true worship of God as outlined in the Law and the fact they would reject Jesus and arrange His death. Its about Gods heart for all peoplethe Jews and the Gentiles. Jesus is announcing His coming victory over death! But it wasnt, at least not alive to God. The Gentiles could enter the outer court. As followers of Christ, we have to make a decision: live for ourselves or live on in the vine in Christ. 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. So lets look at each part, and notice how to spot the real thinghow to spot true worship of God. There are many more interesting references not mentioned here which are also worth exploring in Judges, Song of Songs, and parables of Yeshua. Andy Gullahorn is a Nashville songwriter. In Luke 13:6-9, we hear Jesus tell a parable about a barren fig tree that should make us pause. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 17And he was teaching them and saying to them, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? This miracle, which can also be classified as a parable, is recorded in more detail in Mark than in Matthew. After reading about it in her Bible, my daughter-in-law once asked me why Jesus cursed a fig tree. Why did God do that? The fig tree is also symbollic of Israel itself It often symbolized the health of the nation both spiritually and physically [1]. It didnt produce fruit. Commentator William Barclay said this story does not seem worthy of Jesus. 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. Heres another object lesson, like the fig tree. Jesus spoke the Parable or the Lesson of the Fig Tree in Matthew 24:32-35 as such: "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out . Where does the Bible say that Jesus cursed the fig tree? He wants us to ensure we stay deeply rooted in His Word, in His Presence in all that we do. In fact, its the only tree specified that we know for sure was in the garden. However, this tree had no fruit. Question: "Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?". Your sin isnt too big for him. What does the fig tree represent in John 1? What does the Bible say about the parable of the fig tree? The place that was meant for finding freedom in God became a place where it was hard to find God. 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. Repentance is not a fashionable word today. God has come. Why should it use up the soil?, Sir, the man replied, leave it alone for one more year, and Ill dig around it and fertilize it. Here are 10 things nobody tells you about the world's most popular houseplant, the fiddle-leaf fig tree: 1. When Jesus told the parable of the fig tree, He was trying to get our attention because He is the master gardener. The apostle Paul explains here that these qualities are the fruit of God's Spirit. He and his wife, Debbie, have served in the ministry for more than 43years. Like a tree! The temple was an amazing place. 15And they came to Jerusalem. Lucky Peepal Tree (Fig Tree): A symbol for happiness, prosperity, longevity, and good luck, this tree is often found around Buddhist shrines. I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:4-5 Luke 13:4-5 [4] Or those eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think you that they were sinners above all men that dwelled in Jerusalem? On the beach, there were oil deposits. That can sound scary, but its really a wonderful thing. In this story we see stubborn hearts riddled with pride. How did the temple get to this point? 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). The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Why not later? Normally, a leafy fig tree would be pleasing, since a fig tree in leaf indicates that it has ripe fruit. (Mark 11:20-22) Now it probably seems strange that Jesus cursed a tree just because he was hungry and was disappointed, but we'd be missing out on what Jesus was teaching His disciples if we didn't look closer. But we know the kind of good King he is, dont we? Those arent up for discussion. 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. There will be no grapes on the vine. 20As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Only the High Priest inside the Most Holy Place, and that was only once a year, on the day of Atonement. . There has been a wave of serious terror attacks in the wake, Is revival breaking out? I 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. If you don't know, or if your answer is pretty weak and unsure, then just consider for a brief moment that this unproductive fig tree could be a symbol of your life. This can happen inside a church too. Give me one reason not to do church his way. (Luke 13:7 Luke 13:7Then 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?American King James Version). And just as it cost Jesus, it might cost us. Jews who were whole-hearted followers of God were likened to 'good figs', and rebellious Jews were likened to 'bad figs'. They started coming to church. This Bible study will examine these passages and provide two reasons why Jesus cursed the fig tree. It doesnt even seem to make sense, does it? We have two options: we can make rules to exclude or remove barriers to include. 6/20/2014. His leaves never whither and his fruit never fades for those who need it. Why not earlier? It is important to note that the fig tree is not used as a figure of speech in this passage. MARK 11:12-14 AND 20-22 "The normal habit of the fig tree is that fruit begins to form on the fig tree as soon as leaves appear. But lets take this out of the merely historical realm because this applies to us too. At a distance, Jesus sees a fig tree with leaves, and being hungry, He approaches it hoping to find some fruit, since a fig tree often produces figs earlier than it produces foliage. What does a parable about an unproductive fig tree have to do with how you're going about your life? You cannot grow a new fiddle-leaf fig tree from a leaf. So God gave us Jesus. 12On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. Look again, beginning with verse 22. It means that through this announcement a new order of life is at hand and we need to obtain a mind-set that fits. And in the morning, after they left Bethany, He (Jesus) became hungry. Jesus's Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree (Mark 11:20-26). What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree. Why is the Navier-Stokes equation hard to solve? Last week, we saw from Mark 11:1-11 the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. How could Jesus raise it up again in three days? Throughout the Old Testament, Israel is described as God's vineyard, tree, or planting ( Judges 9:8-15; Isa. He also is a residentfaculty member at the Ambassador Bible Center teaching Acts, Fundamentals of Belief and World News and Prophecy. 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. It was not the season for figs buds won & # x27 ; t grow those buds &. He also is a residentfaculty member at the Ambassador Bible Center teaching Acts, Fundamentals of Belief World... Mark Chapter 11 the fig tree? & quot ; when it was an atrocity committed the! His Word, in his Word, in his Presence in all that we do is recorded in more in. Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem hear Jesus tell a parable about an unproductive fig tree away... A decision: live for ourselves or live on in the Bible as pleasing to the fig tree withered to. 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