Im just showing you whats available. . But when He reached it, He found nothing on it except leaves, since it was not the season for figs. Since the fig tree is a characteristic symbol for Israel in the OT, most scholars understand the cursing of the tree in tandem with the "cleansing" of the temple as a declaration of judgment. The only question remaining is simple: do you want to come? The temple was 46 years in the making. It was where God dwelt on Earth with man. The tree's roots spread, thicken and set. Above: Photograph via @ohiotropics. What does the story of the fig tree mean? It was an atrocity committed by the Roman ruler of the province upon the Galileans. How free we are? Thats what Jesus saw when he entered the temple. That matters because as he goes into the temple, its not just another man going there. (Mark 11:20-22) Now it probably seems strange that Jesus cursed a tree just because he was hungry and was disappointed, but we'd be missing out on what Jesus was teaching His disciples if we didn't look closer. The GOOD Olive Tree represents Israel, the WILD Olive Tree the Gentiles. It was like the Pharisees who professed to be very religious, but whose lives were fruitless. Thats why Jesus says in verse 17, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? In Luke 13:6-9, we hear Jesus tell a parable about a barren fig tree that should make us pause. The only thing keeping some us from him right now is our prideful religiosity, our false conception of ourselves, our self-righteousness. And since were already talking about food, this passage comes at us like f a sandwich in three parts: fig tree/temple/fig tree. There are many more interesting references not mentioned here which are also worth exploring in Judges, Song of Songs, and parables of Yeshua. Darris is the Associate Media Producer for the Church. In this story we see stubborn hearts riddled with pride. Here's what He said: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Isaiah 56:7. How much do we care? A thick, reddish skin covers these large figs that usually weigh in around 80 grams. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. By cursing the tree, Jesus simply stated the obvious. It withered. The root of the Good Olive Tree is THREEFOLD. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. All he did was state a truth about it. All you need is honesty and openness to admit that your Christianity has been a show, and ask him for the real thing. It is possible to consider that the flourishing of figs today in Israel is a Messianic sign in itself the people are back in the land, the fig trees are abundant and plentiful, and the nation is now waiting for restoration to come. Fruit doesn't just appear in the grocery store; it's not grown on a delivery truck. For Israel, exile and wandering has been a byword for punishment and so sitting under your own vine and fig tree is a sign of blessing and security. So we need to understand what Jesus was doing. Please compare Luke 13:6-9. Jesus curses the fig tree 24:32ff), etc. It's rewarding to take part in the process by which fruit grows. He is hungry, sees a fig tree in leaf, inspects it, finds nothing but leaves, and curses it, saying, "May no fruit ever come from you again!". Next Jesus curses the fig tree during the final week of his mortal life and at the end of his ministry (Matt. Its an offer to find total cleansing before God, in him alone. And you know what that makes you? But it wasnt Gods final solution for communion with him. Learn Religions. No one eats from it again. All rights reserved. The vineyard owner in this story is God, the One who rightly decides whether or not to uproot the trees that are not. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. One day, Chuck Smith showed up to find a sign hanging on the door. So it was with the nation of Israel. He cleans things out. Look at verse 18. They produce two harvests of fruit a year, the early crop around Passover time in the spring, even before the leaves have unfurled, and the biggest, best, most juicy fruits come into their own in September, close to the Jewish holidays of Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot (Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Feast of Tabernacles respectively). And there was a curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, representing the distance between the Holy God and sinful man. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. It looked okay from a distance. The place that was meant for finding freedom in God became a place where it was hard to find God. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. Clearly, Jesus is trying to teach his close followers and us in the process something very important. When Jesus died, the temple died too. The "Fig-tree" is a New Testament symbol or figure of Israel and was used by Jesus Himself. And God wants you to find the answer! The first figs normally begin to appear before the leaves, but as the foliage increases, the . 15And they came to Jerusalem. Forget for a moment the bigger question of "the meaning of life" and just focus on you. Its basic meaning is to change. But they look real. Along with the vine, to sit under the plentiful shade of your own fig tree is the epitome of safety, peace and wellbeing in many Biblical passages. What appeared full of life was actually lifeless. How did the temple get to this point? Nathanael was without hypocrisy under his fig tree. He brings Gods glory in. 12On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. How about we make a commitment this morning, united together, to never establish any barrier that would keep others from Christ? Faith is the sine qua non for Jesus and would become a defining characteristic of Christianity. 'You Raise Me Up' Duet Earns A Standing Ovation From The Judges, 7 Tests to See if Your Worship Is Truly Christian or Pagan, 3 Bad Church Approaches to Good Money Stewardship, 5 Critical Rules to Teach Your Kids to Help Them Stay Safe, 4 Things You Should Know about Jesus Revolution, Jesus on Adultery: Its More Controversial Than You Think, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. He showed us the kind of forgiving heart God has. You get his resurrection life. Lucky Peepal Tree (Fig Tree): A symbol for happiness, prosperity, longevity, and good luck, this tree is often found around Buddhist shrines. That's sobering. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. Bible > Mark > Chapter 11 > Verse 13 eBibles Free Downloads Audio Mark 11:13 Context Crossref Comment Greek Verse (Click for Chapter) This shows us that God both owns us and gives us room to grow spiritually, but He also expects us to produce "fruit"the product of a life of good works of righteousness. Yes, there are certain biblical commands and requirements we must obey. 24:32-34 Mark 13:28-32; Luke 21:29-33) The Parameters: Matt 24:29-31 says that the events occur "after the tribulation" or "at the end of the tribulation" so we are in a post-tribulation time frame. Throughout the Old Testament, the fig tree held spiritual value as a symbol for Israel, serving as a metaphor for their standing with God. Why Did Jesus Curse a Fig Tree (Mark 11:12-14)? 12:10; Ezek. Jesus answer is to have faith in God. Spiritually the Jews would be dead for almost 1900 years until they regained a small portion of their homeland in 1948. 7 What happened to the fig tree in the Book of Matthew? It withers. But it wasnt his final resting place. He ordered Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree to avoid death, and they disobeyed Him. The Fig tree in this parable represents us and the nation of Israel. Verse 24, Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. This isnt a promise to grant our every wish. At the beginning of Luke 13 we see where Christ had been informed about some "Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices" (Luke 13:1 Luke 13:1There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.American King James Version). This end-times warning system with the fig analogy is picked up again in Revelation 6:13. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Cline, Austin. 6 Why did Jesus curse a fig tree (Mark 11-12-14)? And his disciples heard it. A fig tree produces both good and bad (inedible) fruit. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Thats why he returns to the fig tree, which is our next point. Therefore, the fig tree in this verse does not represent anything, it is a literal fig tree. Instead, the most important things in the nascent Christian community would be faith in God and forgiveness for others. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up. (12-14) Jesus curses a fig tree. He witnessed it so often, He used the tree in this story as a vivid depiction of it. What happens when Jesus shows up to people like that? Jesus uses his miraculous powers to place a curse on the fig tree. I've stood looking at barren trees and asked myself the same questions. Have faith in God. This passage is more meaningful than a random case of tree-killing. And then we will look at prayer in vs. 22-25. Every day we hear news reports of accidents, natural catastrophes and attacks that take innocent lives. 2: Comparisons between current aboveground carbon-density maps and our . The vineyard owner's solution to this unproductive fig tree was blunt: "Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?" They were human, with weaknesses and strengths like everyone else. Now the disciples learn the fate of the fig tree that Jesus cursed and Marks sandwich is complete: two stories, one surrounding the other, with each providing deeper meaning to the other. The mountain of dead worship they saw in the temple. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The good news from this story is God, the Master Gardener is merciful and willing to forgive. While not bad luck by themselves, its considered bad luck to have one planted near a house. About ten years ago, he released a song called I Havent Either. It starts off lighthearted, but the point it makes is profound. God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ by Stephen Wellum. The significance of the Breba crop Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The fig tree was valued first of all for its delicious, sweet fruit (Judges 9:11). Often, he used the tree & # x27 ; s roots spread, thicken and set is merciful willing... Is a literal fig tree having leaves, for it was where dwelt. Hear news reports of accidents, natural catastrophes and attacks that take innocent.. 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