There is a story of Jesus cursing a fig tree in Mark 11:12-14, 20-25.
Why did Jesus curse the tree?
- Was he hungry and got mad?
- Was it to give an example?
This verse in Mark 11:23 helps us to understand that he wasn’t just mad. He wanted us to learn from His example:
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
I spoke this message with elementary student at Central Christian School and am sharing my notes with you below the video. Hope it ministers to you.
Question: “Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?”
We see this story in two different gospel accounts. Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:12-14.
The key to understanding this passage comes from understanding the context in which it happened.
chronological setting- it happened during the week before His crucifixion.
Why did Jesus curse the fig tree if it was not the right season for figs?
characteristics of fig trees.-The fruit of the fig tree generally appears before the leaves, and, because the fruit is green it blends in with the leaves right up until it is almost ripe..
significance of this passage – a fig tree is often used symbolically to represent Israel in the Scriptures. The spiritual significance of condition of Israel
Cleansing the Temple- Jesus was effectively denouncing Israel’s worship of God.
Cursing of the fig tree,– He was symbolically denouncing Israel as a nation and, in a sense, even denouncing unfruitful “Christians”
Unfruitful Christians- people who profess to be Christian but have no evidence of a relationship with Christ
The presence of a fruitful fig tree – a symbol of blessing and prosperity for the nation of Israel.
death of a fig tree – symbolizes judgment and rejection. Symbolically, the fig tree represented the spiritual deadness of Israel, who while very religious outwardly with all the sacrifices and ceremonies, were spiritually barren because of their sins.
By cleansing the Temple and cursing the fig tree, causing it to whither and die, Jesus was pronouncing His coming judgment of Israel and demonstrating His power to carry it out. It also teaches the principle that religious profession and observance are not enough to guarantee salvation, unless there is the fruit of genuine salvation evidenced in the life of the person.
Notes were taken from here:
http://www.gotquestions.org/curse-fig-tree.html
https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/646-why-did-jesus-curse-the-fig-tree
Jesus is teaching us that we need to have faith and bear fruit
Christ wants us to be a Christian who bears fruit.
Jesus expects us to bear fruit, that’s the mark of a disciple. That we bear fruit and make more disciples
Matthew 28:19- Go and Make disciples
It wasn’t the Season to bear fruit:
II Tim 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
God judges fruitlessness, and expects that those who have a relationship with Him will “bear much fruit” (John 15:5-8).
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
3 ways to have more faith and be a fruitful Christian
- Say it- Believe what you say will happen. Have Faith and don’t doubt
- Pray it -Ask for it in Prayer
- Do it – Act Now
SAY it
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
I hurt my back but I say, “My back is getting better”
A. BELIEVE What you say will happen
Says the word “say” 3 times, but the word believe 3 times
I can’t just believe it with my heart I’ve got to say it with my mouth
Why?
We can’t control what we think or how we feel, but we can control what we say
If we don’t speak our faith won’t work
Josh and his family spoke the word and it didn’t rain when we went to the waterfall
Romans 10: 9-10
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
80 year old and 92 year old ladies confessed this verse
B; Have Faith and don’t doubt
James 1: 5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, without doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7
PRAY IT
John 15: 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you
I was impressef to Pray for man at Beach but then didn’t obey God. I had to go back and pray for him a week later to be obedient.
Mark 11: 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
DO IT- Act
James 2:14-26 Faith Without Works Is Dead
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Miguel and Adriana gave food and clothing to the poor in Tonala right during our Bible study. They were actong on God’s word.
We should bear spiritual fruit , not just give an appearance of religiosity:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Gen 1:28-Be fruitful and multiply. Woman thinking of having many children. But if we just plant one seed we can make a difference.
How will you Respond to this message?
Do you Want Jesus To be the Master of your life?
Romans 10: 9-10
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
Will you become a missionary?
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?”
Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
Do you want to have faith and bear fruit?
Say it- Believe what you say will happen. Have Faith and don’t doubt
Pray it -Ask for it in Prayer
Do it – Act Now
