The day after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus was hungry (Mark 11:12). Looking for food, He came across a fig tree with plenty of leaves, and hoped to find some figs thereon. It wasn’t the case: “…and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.” (v. 13). It was then that Jesus cursed the fig tree, “No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever.” (v. 14).
Some may question A) why this portion is included in the Bible, right after the record of Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and B) why our all-powerful Christ didn’t just drum up some food for Himself when He was hungry.
The answers are A) because this portion of Scripture is significant and important, and B) that’s not at all what this is about, for if He had really wanted to, Jesus could have done anything in this situation. He could have performed a miracle causing figs to appear on the tree, but instead, Jesus cursed the fig tree, making this His only negative miracle. Jesus was making a point when He cursed the fig tree, an important point for us to remember.
Jesus didn’t curse the fig tree because He was “hangry” or mad; Jesus cursed the fig tree because it took on the appearance of having fruit – fig trees with leaves should also have figs – when it really didn’t have any fruit at all.
Sound familiar? The Lord said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” Or what about Jeremiah 17:10 when we’re told the Lord searches the heart and tests the mind to give each man according to his ways and the results of his deeds (not how each man looks on the outside).
The point is that God’s not interested in “Christians” who are keeping up appearances but bearing no fruit. That displeases Him greatly and is a terrible testimony to those around us. God is interested in “Christians” who are walking the walk, who are bearing fruit because they’re living their faith. That we bear fruit is so important to God, important enough that it should be included in Scripture right after Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
The question may be asked, are we really living our faith if we don’t bear fruit? Jesus indicated that when we abide in Him, we’ll bring forth much fruit (John 15:5). He told us that God is glorified when we bear much fruit (John 15:8). He instructed us that we “should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:” (John 15:16).
The Christian life is not just “one and done”, true Christianity is “one and run” – like a marathon. The Christian life is ongoing, it can be very challenging, and should be incredibly fulfilling both for the Christian and all the people that Christian serves. You are not a Christian because of your last name. You are not a Christian just because you go to church. You are not a Christian just because you’ve been baptized. You are not a Christian just because you donate money. You are a Christian when you are daily living for Christ.
James asked the question in his eponymous epistle, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?” (James 2:14). He went on to write that “faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (v. 17). If we are Christians, our lives should bear the fruit of our faith.