The punishment of fig tree by Jesus is one of the miracles that many people struggle to understand. Mark (11:13) states that “it was not the season for figs”. Therefore, what Jesus did could be argued as against ‘natural justice’, and unrighteous. However, we should be aware that God’s righteousness and the righteousness of this world are different as pointed out by Jesus in Matthew 5:20.

This blog is a meditation on the cursing of fig tree by Jesus as reported in the gospels of Matthew (21:18-22) and Mark (11: 12-20).

Jesus was hungry:

The very thought of hunger connects us to a condition in our stomach as empty or the need for filling. However, we should know that there are two types of hunger, of that of the body called physical hunger, and that of the spirit called the spiritual hunger. In John 4:34, Jesus contrasts the spiritual food against worldly food as ‘fulfilling God’s will and accomplishing God’s work’. Again, in John 6:27, Jesus instructs to ‘work for food that endures to eternal life rather than for food that spoils.

Jesus’ primary mission on earth was to fulfill the will of His Father (John 6:38; 4:34). And, we realise through His words and deeds that Jesus was extremely keen and committed to it, up until the last minute on the cross. As the creation is expected to respond to Jesus’ mission, it is obvious that any non-performers will be removed.  For example, when the bridegroom came only those virgins who were ready went in with him while the rest were ignored (Matthew 25:10). Similarly, the fig tree was a non-performer for it could not produce any fruit when the Lord came. Jesus said, every branch that does not bear fruits will be removed (John 15:2).

Jesus: the lord of seasons

Rather than depending on the seasons, the fig tree should have submitted itself to the Lord of seasons to produce fruits. Moreover, the tree tried to cheat the creator by covering itself with leaves (Mark 11:13). If the season was not for fruits, neither was it for leaves. Reading through Mark 11:13 we can gather that seeing plenty of leaves on the tree Jesus walked towards it hoping to see at least one fruit. This is a lesson for us. At many a times we exhibit ourselves as spiritual outwardly, but in essence we are not.

Jesus may not have approached the fig tree intending to collect a bag full of fruits. Apparently, Jesus, like anyone else should have known that it was not the season of figs. Therefore, in all probability Jesus approached the fig tree hoping to pluck a pre-season first ripe fruit. This argument could be substantiated with references from the Old Testament. For instance, Hosea 9:10 compare Israel to the first fruit on the fig tree, in its first season. Similarly, Micah 7:1 prophetically states that ‘there is no first-ripe fig for which I hunger’.

Jesus: the first fruit

Those who are familiar with farming would know that there appears a fruit before the bulk of them appears at the full season. This first fruit is an excitement to the farmer and a hope towards enjoying more fruits from the tree later. Further, as is mentioned in Isaiah 28:4, this first fruit is an immediate grab. This first fruit is a lead for other fruits to follow. The chosen race of God, Israel was considered as the first fruit as per Jeremiah 2:3. But, we know how Israel drifted away from God. Hence, Jesus Christ became the first fruit for us to follow (1 Corinthians 15:23).

As mentioned above, what happened to Israel as the fruit producing tree, resulting in the imposition of God’s curse?

The fallen trees

In the Garden of Eden we see that instead of behaving like a responsible creation, the tree allowed Satan to succeed in convincing Eve followed by Adam to defy God’s advice (Genesis 3). If an animal (serpent in the Garden of Eden) could speak and convince a human being, the tree as God’s creation could desist Eve from disobeying God’s commandment. This may sound illogical but remember, first of all, trees do have life and they do respond to various environmental effects. Secondly, in the book of Jonah (chapter 4) we see how the plant responded to God’s plan in order to teach a lesson to the prophet. I will explain how trees respond with some examples later in this blog.

In the book of Jeremiah we read that the trees provided shade for the Israelites to commit adultery. The situation became so grave that God tells Jeremiah that every tree has facilitated to Israel’s adultery (Jeremiah 3:6). Israel lay down under every spreading tree as a prostitute (Jeremiah 2:20; 3:13). God charged Israel through Hosea (4:13) of burning incense to idols under oak, poplar and terebinth, as the shades were found pleasant.

In both the above paragraphs we see that instead of producing fruits for God, the trees produced fruits for Satan. Israel ate those fruits and got lost in demonic indulgences. Jesus said, “……a tree is known by its fruit, for men do not gather figs from thorns……” (Luke 6:44). Moreover, it is important that the tree produces the right fruit (see Isaiah 5:2).

Coming back to the focus of this blog, three issues are identified:

1. The tree tried to cheat Jesus by covering itself with leaves and not having the first fruit ready for its creator. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for the sharp contrast between their external and internal self (see Matthew 23:1-39 & Luke 11:37-54). Pharisees tried to command respect for themselves through their dressings (Matthew 23:5) and public display of faith (Luke 20:47). We come across such people and organisations including parishes and congregations where the focus is on the display of faith without essentially containing it. For example, purity is preached but not practiced; faith is blown out without conviction. It is sad to see buildings and mansions as parallels to the tower of Babel replacing pillars of faith. God’s children are distracted and misguided by external glories; and it appears that the age of Pharisees and Scribes have returned.
2. The tree could have produced a fruit as it’s companions did (a spiritual comparison) in Luke 17:6 & 19:4 as follows:

In Luke 17:6 we see the sycamore fig tree as ever ready to respond to the faith of disciples. Jesus, pointing to this fig tree, assures the disciples that if they have faith, this fig tree will uproot itself and move off. We see here the willingness and acceptance of the promise which the fig’s creator made in its presence. Thus, in the assurance of Jesus, we see a projected interaction of faith between human beings and vegetation. This faith interaction applies to human-animal relationship as well, as we read in the book of Daniel where the lions responded to Daniel’s faith by remaining friendly (Daniel 6:22).

Similarly, in Luke 19:4, the sycamore tree plays a friendly role of supporting a sinner named Zacchaeus to view Jesus from its branches. Because of the tree Zacchaeus could see Jesus and Jesus Zacchaeus. This eventually led to Zaccheus’ conversion. What better fruit could this fig tree produce than saving a soul and his whole family? Here again we can credit the fig tree as a facilitator of faith.

3. As discussed above, we read in the book of Jeremiah that the trees facilitated God’s children to commit adultery by courting with foreign gods and idol worships. The people of Israel did this under every tree of the land. This was in opposition to the purpose of God for the entire vegetation. For instance, we read in Psalm 104:14 that God causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the labor of man, so that he may bring forth food from the earth. It is apparent from this verse that the purpose of vegetation is to bring forth fruit. This primary responsibility was found missing when the Lord visited the fig tree (Matthew 21:19; Mark 11:13). Jesus indeed had warned prior to this incident using a parable that a man could not find any fruit when he went to a fig tree planted in his vineyard (Luke 13:6). Jesus further warned that such trees will be destroyed, pointing towards the judgement day.

Let us therefore…….    

            ……..commit ourselves into the hands of our Lord so that he may fill us with Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us to produce the best fruit for God. Let us recollect how Holy Spirit came on Mother Mary and enabled her to produce the best fruit the world has ever witnessed, Jesus Christ. He is our Lord and Savior. Amen.