“But early in the morning, as he came back into the city, he hungered. And seeing one fig-tree in the way, he came to it and found on it nothing but leaves only. And he says to it, ‘Let there be never more fruit of thee for ever.’ And the fig-tree was immediately dried up. And when the disciples saw it, they wondered, saying, ‘How immediately is the fig-tree dried up!’ And Jesus answering said to them, ‘Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and do not doubt, not only shall ye do what is done to the fig-tree, but even if ye should say to this mountain, Be thou taken away and be thou cast into the sea, it shall come to pass. And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.’” Matthew 21:18-22 (DBY)
There is nothing like being hungry, coming to the kitchen, and finding that there’s nothing there to eat. Of course, we would never ‘curse’ the kitchen nor the cupboard. Something must be going on with the Jerusalem fig tree that needs clarification. Is this a figurative curse against Israel as some scholars propose? Is it a lesson in faith, an example of faith’s power as other scholars propose? Is it a key that one can use to change undesirable circumstances through prayer and belief as some pop-psychologists claim?
Robertson says that it is not a curse but “the strongest kind of negative prediction.” He also claims, “it was a vivid object lesson.” It certainly is true that due to the season, Jesus was justified in expecting fruit on the tree. It should have had more than leaves. Traditionally, Christianity has interpreted this fig tree as symbolic of Israel’s great expressions of faith but no real fruit in terms of life-changing power or godliness.
There is a measure of truth in this interpretation but I think it bypasses the point. If all this story does is relate Israel’s failure and the consequences of that failure, it really doesn’t move Christianity forward. However, if this story speaks to my life and says, ‘you must go beyond an external show,’ then it challenges me to move. If this story says, ‘when you exercise faith instead of doubt, no mountain-sized obstacle is too difficult,’ then it challenges me to move. If this story says, ‘prayer + belief = answered prayer,’ then it challenges me to move. Israel’s failures do not move me, but God’s challenges do.
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Forgive us our faults, failures, and sin that so easily entraps us. Lead us so that we may overcome every temptation and deliver us from every evil. Enable us pray in faith and receive our requests. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his challenges and live to his glory,