For a long time, I struggled to understand why Jesus cursed the fig tree. In Mark 11:12-14, we encounter this thought-provoking story. Jesus, seeing a fig tree in the distance full of leaves, approached it, hoping to find fruit. Instead, He discovered only leaves, as it wasn’t the season for figs. The next morning, as they passed by the tree again, Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” (verses 20-21).
At first glance, this seems unfair. After all, it wasn’t the season for figs. Yet, Jesus, feeling hungry, expected that a tree with such abundant foliage would bear fruit.
This incident reveals that the Kingdom of God operates differently from the natural world. As children of the Kingdom, we're called to bear fruit in every season. Psalm 1:1-3 illustrates this beautifully, declaring that blessed is he who delights in the law of the Lord; he is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season and whose leaves don't wither (NKJV)
In Genesis 1:28 (AMPC), God blesses humanity, commanding us to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it, [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 further emphasizes that blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. Such a person is like a tree by the water, sending out roots by the stream. They are unafraid when heat comes, their leaves are always green, and they never fail to bear fruit—even in times of drought.
Jesus elaborates on this theme of fruitfulness in John 15:1-8 (NIV):
Stay Connected: Jesus is the true vine, and God the Father is the gardener (v 1)
Pruning for Productivity: The Father removes unproductive branches and prunes those that bear fruit for greater yield (v 2)
Dependence on the Vine: Without Jesus, we cannot bear fruit; we must remain connected to Him (v 4-5)
Consequences of Disconnection: Branches that don’t remain in Jesus wither and are discarded (v 6)
Answered Prayers: When we abide in Him and His words abide in us, our requests align with His will, and we see answers (v.7)
Proof of Discipleship: Bearing much fruit demonstrates our identity as Jesus’ disciples and brings glory to the Father (v.8)
In Matthew 7:15-20 (NKJV), in warning us about false prophets, Jesus tells us that we'll recognize them by their fruits. A good tree produces good fruit, while a bad tree produces bad fruit. The fruit we bear serves as tangible evidence of our identity and where we're rooted. Galatians 5:22 (NKJV) details for us the fruit of the Holy Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
I encourage you, dear reader, to examine your life for evidence of fruitfulness. To be fruitful means to grow, increase, and produce, reflecting both Hebrew and Greek definitions that emphasize productivity. As we trust in the Lord and follow His ways, we remain fruitful, regardless of the seasons we face.
Let us pray: Dear Father, teach us through Your Holy Spirit how our lives can reflect growth and bring glory to You. Show us where we lack fruitfulness and prune us so that we may bear even more good fruit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Comments