Lacking fruit

[JPalmer]

4. Mark 11
11 And Jesus …
12 … was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

This reminded me of the servant having his talent taken away, because he buried it out of fear instead of making the most of it. (Matthew 25:14-30) It feels clear from both these stories that when God imparts the ability to bear fruit, and that ability is ignored, it will be taken away. I am taking this as a warning to make sure I am grateful for all His gifts, and listening for how and when He wants me to use them. It is one thing to be judged by my works – as at least there is something to improve on or learn from – but the thought of being known by a lack of fruits feels much worse.

After all, Christ Jesus did much good work and left instruction to do likewise.

Thank you for this lesson!

[Rae]

Thank you. I’ve often wondered about the meaning of this passage as it was not yet the season for figs, so why would Jesus be upset. Was it to demonstrate the power of His words? Apparently this took place when he was on his way from Bethany to the Temple to deal with the corruption, turn over the money changers, and take back God’s authority. The following day on the return, they passed by the same fig tree. Peter pointed out to Jesus that his prophecy had come true. Shriveled down to its roots, that poor fig tree had no chance for future generations. Some have said Jesus was upset because the fruitless fig tree was a reflection of the Temple not fulfilling its mandate. If they had been following God’s Word, there would have been spiritual fruit for all of God’s children.

Mark 11:22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus said.

Mark 11:23 “For verily I say unto you, That whatsoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed…and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

[Michael Pupko]

As I was looking at the forum, the heading “Lacking Fruit” jumped out at me with a rather startling thought; thank you very much!! The thought was that this tree wasn’t ‘sharing’ it’s fruits with those in need and that’s what Christ Jesus had against the religion of the day; they didn’t share the fruits of God and thus dried up and withered spiritually. Thanks for sharing!

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