Bear Fruit

Bear Fruit

The Practice of Regular Repentance

When he came to it (a fig tree), he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.  Mark 11: 13-14

Tuesday of Passion Week highlights two events in Jesus’ road to the cross.  One, the cleansing of the temple and two, the account of Jesus cursing the fig tree.  The curse of the fig is one sign and story that is often met with confusion and even resistance.  

A simple play by play:  Jesus and his disciples are walking along.  Jesus is hungry.  He comes upon a fig tree to enjoy some fruit from it and finds nothing.  And seemingly out of nowhere, he names curse upon the tree.  “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” The disciples, within earshot, are confused as to why such a strong and almost cutthroat response to a tree?  Under their breath or in their heart, a resistance might’ve been raised in them:  What did this tree ever do to you, Jesus?  

Later, Jesus and the disciples come upon the fig tree again to see Jesus’ curse realized.  To see the tree that in the same day was alive with leaves, now stand cracked, withered and lifeless.  

What did Jesus want his disciples to understand?  In the gospel of Matthew, we’re given indication as to what is going on here.  The fig tree throughout the Old Testament was representative of Israel, God’s missional people on earth.  

One of the marks of God’s people is the admittance that we are sinful and helpless on our own.  They needed a redeemer.  They needed God to buy them back, to cover their sin, to make them right again.  They needed something else to attach to, like a vine,  instead of their own track record order to remain alive and bear fruit of God’s Spirit.  

As Jesus and the disciples are walking through Jerusalem, Jesus sees Israel bearing no fruit which says “we need help.”  He instead sees a self-inflated people who are hanging on to and even boasting of their heritage as “sons of Abraham.”  All the while, lacking the fruit which comes not from being joined to Abraham’s bloodline by lineage but rather joining with Abraham in admitting helplessness by joining to the true vine, Jesus - in faith.

Jesus says in Matthew 3: 8-10 - Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.  Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 

Trees that attempt to join to anything but Christ will have the same result as the lifeless, barren tree.  Trees which know their root system can only be fed and flourished outside of themselves (a mark of repentance) will begin to display nourishing signs of life which replenish the soul inside of themselves and brings glory to the One (the fruit of repentance). 

Father, keep us a repenting people.  Keep us knowing our need as we see our sin.  Keep us remaining in the vine, Jesus, as we see our sin.  Keep us bearing fruit in keeping with repentance as we turn from trusting in ourselves and cling instead to Christ.  Amen.

Thoughts for Reflection

When you read this account, do you think Jesus is being unkind or uncaring? 

How does the fig tree serve as a compassionate warning sign to Israel and to us?

In what areas are you believing you can operate independent of God?