The Cursing of the Fig Tree There is a parable from Jesus which turned into a literal event in the Gospels: This is the incident of the cursing of the fig tree [Mat. 21:19 ff. // Mark 11:13] You know the story...Jesus saw a fig tree with no fruit, cursed it, and the tree was withered. It only looks literal in a narrow context. The parable appears 3 times in the Gospels: Matthew 21:19, Mark 11:13 and Luke 13:6. Now I know that the Luke story starts then he told them a parable while the others say Jesus did.... And I add here that fig trees generally are symbolic of the spiritual health of Israel, and for us here, Spiritual Israel. Jesus sometimes used fig trees to make his points, so the careful reader should expect to find some lesson from the event. The disappointment of Jesus with the fig tree is an extremely significant event. At first glance, one might think Jesus is merely upset with an actual tree that failed to feed Him when He was hungry. But the fig tree and its fruit play a much larger role. They are symbols of the people of God, and its faith. As I said previously, the Old Testament often uses the fig tree as a symbol of national Israel and in the New Testament, it turns to be a symbol of the Church: “I will take away their harvest, declares the Lord, There will be no grapes on the vine. There will be no figs on the tree, AND THEIR LEAVES WILL WITHER. What I have given them will be taken from them.” Jeremiah 8:13 “When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your fathers, IT WAS LIKE SEEING THE EARLY FRUIT ON THE FIG TREE. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved. Ephraim is blighted, their root is withered, they yield no fruit. Even if they bear children, I will slay their cherished offspring.” Hosea 9:10,16 “All your fortresses are like fig trees with their first ripe fruit;’ when they are shaken, the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.” Nahum 3:12 Now look at the stories. First, Matthew and Mark differ. Heres Matthew 21:19 And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing on it but leaves. Then he said to it May no fruit ever come from you again! And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, How did the fig tree wither at once? Then Jesus goes to the temple in Jerusalem. And from the narrative in Mark: 11:12-14, 19-25 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. When evening came, they went out of the city. In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered! Have faith in God, Jesus answered. I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. The term “cursed” is used only once in the two New Testament records of this incident. It should be noted that the term “curse” is not used in biblical parlance in the modern sense of profanity. Rather, a “curse” was a pronouncement of judgment upon a person or object (Matt. 25:41). Christ’s curse of the fig tree was not a purposeless act of intemperance. It represented a strong object lesson that the disciples needed to learn. So you too, need to ponder about it. If Jesus literally cursed a fig tree, then why? Was Jesus really irritable when he hasnt had breakfast? One possible explanation has to do with the Jesus understanding of his messianic role, as described by the prophet Zechariah. All of the signs where coming together for the arrival of the Messiah except for this one fig tree that was not with the program. (Of course, many among you noticed that what I preach doesnt fit with most of the programs found in the churches.) (Zec 8:12 NASB) For there will be peace for the seed: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce, and the heavens will give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things. “The cursing of the fig tree symbolizes God’s judgment on Israel for not bearing the fruit He wanted from the temple. It foreshadows the cleansing of the temple and ultimately the prophecy of its destruction.” In a general sense, Jesus often insisted that trees that do not bear good fruit will be cut down (Matthew 7:19; Luke 13:6-9). The fig tree did not bear fruit, was useless, and deserved to be destroyed: the spiritual application being that any human who does not bear fruit for God will be “destroyed” for his or her failure to produce. He will be thrown in the “fire” – God’s fiery trials – to reap what He has sown in order to become a “NEW Creature in Christ.” 2 Cor 5:17. “Behold, I make ALL new.” Revelation 21:5 Jesus did not become angry and curse the fig tree even though it was incapable of producing fruit. He cursed the tree because it should have been growing fruit since it had the outward signs of productivity. As Jesus said of the Israelites who claimed to be worshipers of the true God,. So it is today with those who claim to be spiritual Israelites in these days! “You hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you saying, “These people draw near Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips; but their hearts are far from Me. “In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:7-9 The same is true of the Organized “Christian Church” today. The so-called spiritual Israelites – the Organized “Churches” in Christ’s time - had a form of religion, without any personal relationship with the Lord. Now a word about the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree - Luke 13:6-9 Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’” Now, you all, you fig trees! Listen.... I have been preaching the pure Gospel of Christ for more than two years now, on several social networks. Like a farmer, and like a sower, I have sown the pure Word of God, I have sown Holiness and Perfection by the blood of Jesus. I taught what I have received by revelation from the Lord, about the tree of knowledge of good and evil, about the devil, about the Godhead.... I have done my best, I was zealous... I made myself all the pics and graphics... and now, Christ wants to harvest.... But, there is little to harvest... few like and amen, and so few testimonies! I can count them on the fingers of one hand....but I remembered that it was written: When (Christ) will be back on earth, shall He find faith? In the story of the fig tree, Jesus was not so patient... How long shall I wait before seeing the trees bearing fruits? Someday, Ill speak to all those fruitless trees, and they will become withered trees, for ever. Then, I will shout NO MORE TIME and the mystery of God will be finished... Be blessed
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 19:10:02 +0000
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