Thursday Matters

Everyday Fig Tree

Jesus enters Jerusalem and from the masses gathered for Passover he’s met with cheering and excitement. As he travels, he spots a fig tree “in leaf.” (Mark 11:13)

Jesus inspects the tree and is immediately disappointed. All leaves, no fruit. So, Jesus curses the tree and makes it wither from the roots, never to yield fruit again. This seems out of character for Jesus, but the fig tree cursing is not just about historical Israel. It’s about us and the people of God throughout time. The fig tree, like the bustling temple courts during Passover, was putting on a good show. It’s one thing to lack fruit out of season. It’s another thing to lack it while pretending you have it.

Our personal lives can look like we’re “in leaf.” Our leaves may look like those of a supermom, winning with a successful job, or we have an overstuffed schedule of ministry activities. But the root may be withered. There may be no fruit of holiness and no intimacy with God. What’s worse, our leaves may even fool us. In being a genuine Christian, you develop real and ripe fruit by the Holy Spirit…everyday.