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JESUS AND THE LESSON OF THE CURSED FIG TREE



We've seen multiple cases in the Bible we just couldn't help but wonder what was truly going on, and wonder at the reasons Jesus did some of the things he did.

One such case is the example of Jesus cursing the fig tree.

Jesus and a Fruitless Fig Tree

(Mark 11:12-14 - Passion Translation)

12 The next day, as he left Bethany, Jesus was feeling hungry. 

13 He noticed a leafy fig tree in the distance, so he walked over to see if there was any fruit on it, but there was none—only leaves (for it wasn’t yet the season for bearing figs). 

14 Jesus spoke to the fig tree, saying, “No one will ever eat fruit from you again!” And the disciples overheard him.

Why The Curse?

This verse, along quite a few others, has always left me wondering. Why would Jesus curse the fig tree that wasn't ripe, and verse 13 even tells us that it wasn't the time yet for figs.

Is this the classic case of a hungry man is an angry man, or is there a lesson embedded within?

Lessons of Faith  (Mark 11:20-24)

20 In the morning, they passed by the fig tree that Jesus spoke to and it was completely withered from the roots up. 

21 Peter remembered and said to him, “Teacher, look! That’s the fig tree you cursed. It’s now all shriveled up and dead.”

22 Jesus replied, “Let the faith of God be in you! 

23 Listen to the truth I speak to you: If someone says to this mountain with great faith and having no doubt, ‘Mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the midst of the sea,’ and believes that what he says will happen, it will be done. 

24 This is the reason I urge you to boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer—believe that you have received it and it will be yours. 

Conviction 

One lesson that has always stood out despite the confusing nature of the passage is the message of faith. A real demonstration really, in the sense that, even if the fig tree deserved not to be cursed, the lesson of faith to the disciples was more important than having a fig tree in existence. 

A lesson that the price of faith was more important than anything else. As in the case of the man Jesus delivered by casting the evil spirits out of him and into a herd of 2000 pigs who drowned as a result of that action.

A Warning Perhaps?

A lesson we could also pick up from there is to consider the end of age, how the Master comes at a time we may not expect, that we should stand ready with our fruits (ripening), as there would be no excuses on the last day.

Always standing ready to do good deeds. It wasn't time for Jesus at the wedding at Cana, but there he was, turning water to wine. And perhaps, this passage calls us to do the same, always standing ready, whether it is time or not.


Personally, the case of Jesus driving out the merchants from the temple is another of those curious cases worth considering and the story actually happens within the highlighted verse, but we can consider that worthy of examination some other day. But the lesson for us today remains,

1. Have faith in God, 

2. Believe your prayers have been answered, and

3. Stand ready, today could just be that day.


May the Good Lord bless his words in our heart. Amen.

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