Saturday, January 13, 2007
The Unfruitful Tree
Jesus knew how to turn any situation into a teachable moment. During the last week of His life, Jesus did this with a simple fig tree. While going from Bethany to Jerusalem, Jesus was hungry. He spotted a fig tree with leaves on it. He approached the tree as if He expected to find something to eat on it. But Jesus was surprised to find the tree full of leaves with no fruit.
Fig trees are known to always produce fruit before leaves appear. Even though it was not yet the season for figs, this tree appeared to be in full bloom. But there was no fruit to be found. There was neither old nor new fruit.
At the very least, Jesus should have expected to see a small crop of knobs that were not real figs but forerunners that grew to the size of green almonds. These tend to be eaten by hungry peasants. Called taqsh, these are a sign of the fully formed appearance of true figs some six weeks later. If leaves appear without any taqsh, that is a sign the tree will not produce any fruit later in the season.
Jesus recognized that this tree was not living up to its purpose. Even though it looked healthy, it was not. A tree that does not bear fruit goes against the design of nature. In Genesis, the Scriptures indicate that God instructed trees to bring forth fruit after its kind. Fruit is necessary for new life and the natural process.
This unfruitful tree was a lesson to the disciples and to us today. Trees that do not bear fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire. These trees are in rebellion against God's design and His plan. These are not good trees.
Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, the fig tree stands as a symbol of Israel and in some cases Jerusalem itself. God had intended the Jews and His temple to be a light to the world. They were supposed to declare God's glory among the nations and draw all men to repentance. Instead, they had become unfruitful like the fig tree in this story. They missed the time of God's coming. The Temple had been corrupted and needed to be cleansed. Obviously, this must have been on Jesus' mind as He approached Jerusalem. Late that day, Jesus overturned the tables and cast the money changers out of the Temple.
The fig tree offered more than just a civics lesson on Israel. It provided a faith lesson for Jesus' disciples. Jesus spoke to the tree and put a curse on it. The tree withered and died. The next time they passed that way, Simon noticed the tree. He pointed out that it had withered away. They were amazed at how quickly the tree had died.
Jesus said, "Verily, I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this, which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer,
believing, ye shall receive."
On the surface, the lesson seems hard to believe. Jesus beckoned the disciples to accept a reality beyond what they could see. He called them to accept something far greater than what they can do on their own. The key is to believe.
Since their initial interactions, Jesus has dared the disciples to believe in the power of God within them. Jesus had great faith in His disciples because He trusted the Father. More than simply trust God, Jesus called the disciples to trust God in them, the hope of glory.
When you understand the culture of Simon's day, the words of Jesus take on a political reality that would have seemed impossible. Jesus spoke about the ability to move mountains. What if he was talking about a literal mountain not just some theoretical concept? Beyond the shear physical size of the task, what if the mountain Jesus spoke about was a sign of worldly power?
Pilgrims going to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday from Bethany would have walked over the Mount of Olives. On a clear day, you can see both the Herodian to the south and the Dead Sea to the east.
The Herodion, a man-made mountain fortress built by Herod the Great, was built on the location where he won a decisive battle over the Hasmonaeans to become the king of the Jews. The huge fortress was built by excavating one mountain and using the material to build another. It was such a great feat of engineering that it was said of Herod that he could literally "move mountains."
The entire palace complex covered nearly fifty acres, making it one of the largest palace complexes in the ancient world. Originally, it was seven stories high, with an eastern tower that stood more than 40 feet higher.
Jesus standing on the Mount of Olives used Herod's mountain to make a point. The kingdom of God is stronger than the kingdom's of men. It's as if Jesus looked at the fig tree and said, "That's nothing. You have the power to stand up to evil rulers, even cruel Herod." Jesus was teaching them about their authority and His power.
At first Jesus' statement about moving a mountain may not make sense. But when you understand the political reality behind what He said, the true message becomes clear. Jesus knew Him time was short, and His disciples would need encouragement to stand up against the religious leader, Herod and even Rome.
Fig trees are known to always produce fruit before leaves appear. Even though it was not yet the season for figs, this tree appeared to be in full bloom. But there was no fruit to be found. There was neither old nor new fruit.
At the very least, Jesus should have expected to see a small crop of knobs that were not real figs but forerunners that grew to the size of green almonds. These tend to be eaten by hungry peasants. Called taqsh, these are a sign of the fully formed appearance of true figs some six weeks later. If leaves appear without any taqsh, that is a sign the tree will not produce any fruit later in the season.
Jesus recognized that this tree was not living up to its purpose. Even though it looked healthy, it was not. A tree that does not bear fruit goes against the design of nature. In Genesis, the Scriptures indicate that God instructed trees to bring forth fruit after its kind. Fruit is necessary for new life and the natural process.
This unfruitful tree was a lesson to the disciples and to us today. Trees that do not bear fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire. These trees are in rebellion against God's design and His plan. These are not good trees.
Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, the fig tree stands as a symbol of Israel and in some cases Jerusalem itself. God had intended the Jews and His temple to be a light to the world. They were supposed to declare God's glory among the nations and draw all men to repentance. Instead, they had become unfruitful like the fig tree in this story. They missed the time of God's coming. The Temple had been corrupted and needed to be cleansed. Obviously, this must have been on Jesus' mind as He approached Jerusalem. Late that day, Jesus overturned the tables and cast the money changers out of the Temple.
The fig tree offered more than just a civics lesson on Israel. It provided a faith lesson for Jesus' disciples. Jesus spoke to the tree and put a curse on it. The tree withered and died. The next time they passed that way, Simon noticed the tree. He pointed out that it had withered away. They were amazed at how quickly the tree had died.
Jesus said, "Verily, I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this, which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer,
believing, ye shall receive."
On the surface, the lesson seems hard to believe. Jesus beckoned the disciples to accept a reality beyond what they could see. He called them to accept something far greater than what they can do on their own. The key is to believe.
Since their initial interactions, Jesus has dared the disciples to believe in the power of God within them. Jesus had great faith in His disciples because He trusted the Father. More than simply trust God, Jesus called the disciples to trust God in them, the hope of glory.
When you understand the culture of Simon's day, the words of Jesus take on a political reality that would have seemed impossible. Jesus spoke about the ability to move mountains. What if he was talking about a literal mountain not just some theoretical concept? Beyond the shear physical size of the task, what if the mountain Jesus spoke about was a sign of worldly power?
Pilgrims going to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday from Bethany would have walked over the Mount of Olives. On a clear day, you can see both the Herodian to the south and the Dead Sea to the east.
The Herodion, a man-made mountain fortress built by Herod the Great, was built on the location where he won a decisive battle over the Hasmonaeans to become the king of the Jews. The huge fortress was built by excavating one mountain and using the material to build another. It was such a great feat of engineering that it was said of Herod that he could literally "move mountains."
The entire palace complex covered nearly fifty acres, making it one of the largest palace complexes in the ancient world. Originally, it was seven stories high, with an eastern tower that stood more than 40 feet higher.
Jesus standing on the Mount of Olives used Herod's mountain to make a point. The kingdom of God is stronger than the kingdom's of men. It's as if Jesus looked at the fig tree and said, "That's nothing. You have the power to stand up to evil rulers, even cruel Herod." Jesus was teaching them about their authority and His power.
At first Jesus' statement about moving a mountain may not make sense. But when you understand the political reality behind what He said, the true message becomes clear. Jesus knew Him time was short, and His disciples would need encouragement to stand up against the religious leader, Herod and even Rome.
