Mark 11 - FRUITLESS

 NUGGETS…from the WORD of GOD

FRUITLESS

“And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.”         —Mark 11:14

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When we were privileged Israel many years ago our host called our attention to a budding fig tree. He focused on an immature fig about the size of a man’s thumb surrounded by a cluster of budding leaves and reminded us of the account of what is usually called the Savior’s cursing of the fig tree, the incident from which our text for today is drawn.

Most of us are aware of the story, but few, I fear, have reflected deeply on its significance. When the Savior and His disciples passed by the same fig tree the following day, Peter noticed and remarked, “Master, behold, the fig tree which Thou cursedst is withered away (v.21).” “Dried up from the roots (v.20).” Jesus took advantage of the moment to teach the disciples a lesson about the vital connection between prayer and faith.

The lesson, I believe, is broader than that. One highly respected student of the word observes, correctly, that Old Testament references to the fig tree make it a type of “Gods Chosen People,” the children of Israel, and sees the blighting of the tree as symbolic of God’s judgment of the nation because of its “fruitless” profession of enthusiasm for God. I believe there is validity in that interpretation, but I believe the lesson is broader than that, as well.

The day the fig tree was blighted was the occasion of Christ’s “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem. A great crowd surrounded Him filled with enthusiasm, shouting “hosanna,” welcoming Him as a potential king come “in the name of the Lord.” Each in that crowd had his own conception of what all that meant, and their enthusiasm was based on those subjective ideas and personal hopes and ambitions. They had not a clue of the real significance of what God was unfolding, and less than week later many of them with equal enthusiasm would be in another throng shouting, “Crucify Him!” Theirs was a premature and misplaced zeal.

There is a two-fold significance to the fig tree incident. In the first place, the leaves so full of promise were premature. “The time of the figs was not yet (v.13).” Second, it is the peculiarity of the proper fig tree that the fruit sets before or simultaneously with the appearance of the leaves. In other words, the appearance of leaves is the promise of fruit. That is the nature of the fig tree, and it is the nature of saving faith. This tree held out an empty promise, proving it not true to its proper character. What it advertised it did not deliver. 

The Savior’s indictment of the tree is an illustration of divine disdain for all empty profession. Mark’s gospel, many expositors believe, was written with the Gentile (Roman) mind in view. If that is true, then it is no coincidence that this little incident is included in his abbreviated account of he Savior’s ministry. Throughout the New Testament where the great doctrine of justification by faith in Christ is developed and set forth, there is an emphasis on the vital link between profession and product; not for the Jews only, but “also to the [Gentiles].” To cite a few:

“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” (Matt. 3:8); “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20; See vss. 17-23); “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:22-23). “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (Col. 1:9-10).

Where fruit is wanting, the tree is as good as dead. The judgment of God will prove the case. Far too many in the churches today are shouting hosannas on the Lord’s day who serve other gods the rest of the week. Their enthusiasm is premature; they have not understood the implications of the gospel and have but an empty profession that will not follow through to the cross and resurrection life. These are cheerleaders who have no idea of Who the King really is, or what He may require of His own. 

These, like the fruitless fig tree, are all promise, but no product, and in due time will wither from the roots up and bring no fruit to perfection (See Luke 8:14). In these days of growing apostacy and spiritual decline, it behooves us to “examine ourselves and see whether [we are] in the faith,” lest we suffer the fate of the barren fig tree.

"Pastor" Frasier

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6/2/12