March 3rd
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
Action: On his way into Jerusalem Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree that had leaves but no fruit. F. Bruce suggests, “When the fig leaves appear about the end of March they are accompanied by a crop of small knobs, called taqsh by the Arabs, a sort of forerunner of the real figs. These taqsh are eaten by peasants and others when hungry. They drop off before the real fig is formed. But if the leaves appear unaccompanied by taqsh, there will be no figs that year.” So he denounced the tree. “You will never again have fruit.”
The next day, the disciples were amazed to see that the tree was barren and dry. Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will be able to do what I did to this tree and even more. You will be able to say to this mountain, ‘Go, fall into the sea.’” Why connect figs and mountain? This fruitless tree reminded Jesus of Israel’s worship which was all show - all leaves of profession but no real fruit of Godly living (Isa 5:1-7; Jer 24:2-8). He was probably looking up from the Kidron Valley to the Temple Mount – the temple location. In other words, tell this imposing religion mountain to “Go jump in the lake!”
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK
MONDAY – Cursing the Fig Free
MONDAY – Cursing the Fig Free
"If you have faith, without doubting, you will not only [be able to] do what was done to this fig tree, but even if you tell this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the ocean,' it will happen.”
Matthew 21:21, An Understandable Version
Matthew 21:21, An Understandable Version
Action: On his way into Jerusalem Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree that had leaves but no fruit. F. Bruce suggests, “When the fig leaves appear about the end of March they are accompanied by a crop of small knobs, called taqsh by the Arabs, a sort of forerunner of the real figs. These taqsh are eaten by peasants and others when hungry. They drop off before the real fig is formed. But if the leaves appear unaccompanied by taqsh, there will be no figs that year.” So he denounced the tree. “You will never again have fruit.”
The next day, the disciples were amazed to see that the tree was barren and dry. Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will be able to do what I did to this tree and even more. You will be able to say to this mountain, ‘Go, fall into the sea.’” Why connect figs and mountain? This fruitless tree reminded Jesus of Israel’s worship which was all show - all leaves of profession but no real fruit of Godly living (Isa 5:1-7; Jer 24:2-8). He was probably looking up from the Kidron Valley to the Temple Mount – the temple location. In other words, tell this imposing religion mountain to “Go jump in the lake!”
Application:
- “They will maintain a facade of “religion”, but their conduct will deny its validity." (2 Tim 3:5 Phillips) Beware of a religion that proclaims its righteousness but lacks the fruitage of love.
____________________________
Is your worship all foliage without fruitage?
Is your worship all foliage without fruitage?
