Early the next morning Jesus was returning to the city. He was hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree alongside the road, he approached it anticipating a breakfast of figs. When he got to the tree, there was nothing but fig leaves. He said, “No more figs from this tree—ever!” The fig tree withered on the spot, a dry stick. The disciples saw it happen. They rubbed their eyes, saying, “Did we really see this? A leafy tree one minute, a dry stick the next?”
-Matthew 21:18-20 (MSG)
At first glance this story seems rather random and bizarre.
To start, there’s more to figs than just Fig Newtons. Fig trees were very common in Jesus’ time because they were an inexpensive source of food. It takes a fig tree about 3 years from the time that it is planted to bear fruit. Once fully able, the tree will turn out a huge amount of fruit twice a year, in late spring and early autumn. Generally, when the leaves start to bud that’s a sign that the fig fruit will appear as well.
Now with that said, back to the story. It’s morning, and Jesus wants some breakfast. He sees a fig tree in the distance and makes his way toward it. I think it’s safe to say that from afar Jesus probably saw the leaf buds on the tree and thus assumed that there would be fruit to eat as well. But alas, there were no figs so Jesus dries the tree up, killing it instantly.
So why did he do this? Why was Jesus picking on this innocent fig tree?
I think he was making a point. Whether he was referring to the Temple, the disciples, Israel… I don’t know.
The point, however, was that from far off a lot of things look great and promising on the surface. But upon further examination, they are ultimately hollow and without substance, bearing no good fruit.
I wonder how many times that has described me — a person only concerned about how he looks from the outside, only putting on the appearance of faith. A “Christian” who bears no fruit of Christ. And if I’m only pretending and not producing, I’m better off withered and dead.
