The barren fig tree

Saturday March 12, 2022

The barren fig tree

Seeing from afar a fig tree that had leaves, he (Jesus) went to see if he would find anything there ; and, approaching it, he found only leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Mark 11:13

The fig tree is an image of the people of Israel whom the Lord expected to bear fruit to his glory. For centuries God has nursed his people, cared for them despite growing misunderstanding and rebellion, sending them trials to bring them back, but always exercising grace upon them and delivering them from extermination.

Finally, Jesus presents himself as the Messiah, the one whom the prophets announced as having to take in hand the cause of his people and restore them to unequaled glory. But at the end of his ministry of grace and love, he finds that the fig tree bears leaves but no fruit. The leaves, that is to say the outward appearance of serving God, the Jews willingly displayed and took pride in them. But as to the fruits, the proof was made by the rejection of the Lord that they did not bear any and even that they could not bear any.

Man cannot, in his natural state, bear fruit for God : it was not the season of figs. The Lord draws a definitive conclusion : Never let anyone eat of your fruit ! (v. 14). God no longer expects fruit from the natural man. It is from those who have received new life through faith in Jesus Christ that he can only receive it, from those who have no confidence in the flesh, but are led by the Holy Spirit into every good work, to the glory of God.

This is a lesson we must learn and relearn, for we are always in danger of relying on anything other than the grace of God to bear fruit. Fruit for God is always produced in a life of fellowship with Christ, when we hold fast to him, the true vine : He who abides in me and in whom I abide bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing. (John 15:5).

Source (Pleasing the Lord)