The Parables of the Lord Jesus Christ
11 - The Withering of the Fig Tree
This time we are looking at what we might call a visible parable of the Lord Jesus Christ. You will find the account of this in the Gospel according to Matthew chapter 21 and verses 18 to 22. This was a parable that had a twofold message for the disciples. It was a visible parable, rather than a story, because the followers of Jesus saw it for themselves and they were surprised by what they saw. Here is Matthew's record:
"Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig-tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then He said to it, 'May you never bear fruit again!' Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this they were amazed. They asked, 'How did the fig-tree wither so quickly?' Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig-tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer."
Jesus was returning to Jerusalem after spending the night in nearby Bethany, almost certainly in the home of Mary and Martha his close friends. It was about a two mile walk back to the city and we read that on the way Jesus became hungry. Here we have a glimpse of the humanity of the Saviour. Although all the fullness of God is in Him, for He is the Son of God, He is also the "Son of Man" - truly human; one of us; able to understand us. He knew what it was to be hungry and thirsty, to be homeless and hunted. He knew sadness and joy, friendship and hostility.
It was about the month of April and the time of the Passover was very near. This was the time of year when neither the earlier nor the later figs would be ripe for eating. Mark tells us that it was not the season for figs. But Jesus saw, even from a distance, that this particular fig-tree was very unusual. It had leaves on it, possibly it was in full foliage. Therefore there should have been green figs on it. So Jesus went up to it, but He found that there was nothing but leaves, no fruit at all. It had nothing to offer Him to satisfy his hunger. What followed may seem strange, but Christ never did anything without purpose or meaning, as we shall see. He said to the fruitless tree: "May you never bear fruit again!" This is the Creator Himself speaking, the one who, with a word, made the storm cease, and immediately the fig-tree begins to wither, to shrivel and dry up.
So we have to ask the question, "Why did our Lord do this to the tree?" In the answer to this we have the first part of the object lesson that Jesus was teaching by this action. The fig-tree was an emblem of Israel. On the previous day, as recorded in Matthew chapter 21 verses 12 and 13, Jesus had driven the money-changers and merchants out of the Temple courts with the words: "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. But you have made it a den of robbers!" He was righteously angered that his Father's house could be so defiled by those who were God's own privileged people. They were so very busy making preparations for their feasts and sacrifices, but their hearts were far away from the Lord. At the same time the priests and religious leaders were plotting to put to death the very one of whom their sacrifices spoke. The nation of Israel had plenty of leaves, as it were, but no fruit. They had much religious activity, but it had become just ritual without meaning or true significance for the majority. They were about to reject the very Messiah for whom they had waited for so long. When the Lord Jesus cleansed the Temple and cursed the fig-tree, He did two symbolic and prophetic acts with one meaning. He was actually predicting the downfall of unfruitful Israel, but He was also teaching his disciples a lesson about faith.
As the Lord passed that way the following day the disciples were astonished to see that the tree had withered and died. That which had appeared to be so healthy was now lifeless. The disciples asked Jesus: "How did the fig-tree wither so quickly?" Jesus replied: "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig-tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Now Jesus was not suggesting that the Mount of Olives, which was four thousand feet above sea level, could be thrown into the Dead Sea. No - He was talking about the mountains of human impossibility. You only have to read the Acts of the Apostles to see God at work doing miraculous things because the early Christians prayed earnestly and believingly. Things which are impossible with man are possible with God, and they are claimed when we come to Him in confident, believing prayer. In John chapter fifteen the Lord Jesus said to his disciples: "You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." Fruit-bearing, in lives that show the love of God and are obedient to Him, and answered prayer go together.
Jesus wants his disciples to pray, but He also wants them to bear fruit. Perhaps this fig-tree, before it withered, is a picture of your life, or of your church. You might ask, 'In what way is this possible?' There have been many churches which in the past stood out and had great influence. The truth of God's word was faithfully preached, the members were very committed to Christ, there was love among them, they cared about the lost and they prayed together. They were careful about the way they lived as believers and sought to be obedient to the Scriptures in all they did. But, over time, these things were not maintained although all the activities continued and few if any realised that something was badly wrong. The branches were withering and dying. The Lord was not able to bless, they had become unfruitful and their life gone. A church may have a great profession of godliness, an outward appearance of health, and yet be fruitless, like the fig-tree in this parable. What may be true of a church may also be true in individual Christian lives. We can be very busy with religious activity and give the appearance of being spiritually healthy, when all the time we are empty within and their is no real fruit in our lives. Our Lord Jesus Christ walks among his people and He looks for fruit. He has a right to expect it! Sometimes He finds none.
So what would we say makes for a fruitful church or individual Christian? The evidence of true faith is seen in the life. As James puts it in his letter: "Faith without works is dead." Being fruitful is having a real love and commitment to our Saviour and a deep love for his people. Being fruitful is having a real concern for the spiritual health of others. A fruitful Christian will be one who is keen to tell others about Christ and who by his or her life commends the Gospel. A fruitful life is built on the Word of God and prayer and remaining close to the Lord.
Only those who truly belong to Christ can produce this kind of fruit. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour a change takes place in our lives. By nature we are all spiritually dead and fruitless towards God because of our sin. But when we turn to the Lord Jesus for salvation and fully trust in Him, we become sons and daughters of the living God. The One who cursed that fig-tree bore the curse and judgement of Almighty God for us at the cross. He whose life was so fruitful and so blessed went through death for us so that we might be forgiven and brought back to God. He who conquered death is now alive, and is by his Spirit in his people to change them into those whose lives are a reflection of his life.
If you have never done so trust Him now to forgive your sins and to transform your whole life into one that is spiritually fruitful.