Bearing Fruit for Jesus Mark 11:12-14 & 20-25
INTRO.: The fig tree had a very important part in life and literature in the Holy Land in Jesus’ day. In fact, the Promised Land was described by Moses as a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey;" To live in safety under one’s "own vine and fig tree" was expressive of prosperity and peace. I Kings 4:25. "There was a proverb that said, He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored." (Prov. 27:18). A native tree, they were especially bountiful in the foothills of Palestine.
On the Monday preceding His death, Jesus was on His way from Bethany to Jerusalem for what turned out to be a violent confrontation with Jewish leaders. As He leaves the little village of Bethany, He pauses at the sight of a fig tree. Noting leaves on the tree, He goes to it seeking fruit but finds none. He then speaks to the tree for the benefit of His disciples who heard Him; "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." A statement made later indicates that the disciples considered this a curse. V. 21
Jesus had nothing against the fig tree. It was only being a fig tree. It was not the season for figs. He did not speak in anger. The significant statement is that the disciples heard. The lesson was for them.
After the incident with the fruitless fig tree, the Lord enters Jerusalem and violently confronts a fruitless religious establishment. The next day, when the disciples see the tree withered, they will remember what went on in the temple. They will learn that Jesus does not tolerate institutions that do not bear fruit for Him.
There are also some lessons for us as a Church and as individuals:
I. We should perform what we promise:
A. This tree promised fruit because it had leaves. Very few of the figs would be ripe the week before Passover, but there should be some.
1. Ripeness is a matter of taste. I know one tree on a college campus where the figs never ripen (in my opinion) because the students have a different concept of ripeness than I have and they pick the figs before I am even interested in them.
2. This tree may have been diseased or suffered from a late frost. It may have "gone wild" because of neglect, who knows?
3. Of course, the tree is not important. The lesson is!
B. Israel had failed to keep the promises she made to God:
1. She had violated her covenant with Him but He would never violate His end.
2. Every covenant has two sides. Each party must agree to certain conditions. The covenant, unlike a contract, can’t be broken by mutual agreement.
3. God’s covenant, briefly stated, is "If you will obey me, I will bless you and give you a rich land. If you disobey me, I will destroy you." Dt. 8:8-11 & 19
4. Now, Jesus is about to enter Jerusalem and confront the violators. He uses the fig tree as an object lesson for His disciples to show He is about to fulfill His covenant with Israel. As the people of God, Israel’s days are numbered.
C. Matt. 21:28-31 Jesus taught that promise without performance is unacceptable.
1. God cut Israel off because she failed to keep her promises. The fig tree withered because it promised fruit but didn’t deliver.
2. Stop and think! Have you ever made a promise to God that you violated? Not one you couldn’t keep, but one you chose not to keep? How will God deal with you unless you repent?
3. Preachers hear so many insincere promises it is almost a relief to hear, "I won’t make any promises, but I’ll do my best." It’s alright to promise, but be sure you mean to perform what you promise.
II. We must practice what we profess:
A. This tree professed to being a fruit tree. A person had a right to expect fruit from it because it’s leaves and stems looked like a fig tree’s.
1. It didn’t take long for the Lord to expose it for what it was; an empty, fruitless pretender.
2. Like the Grape Ivy in the woods. It takes a real expert to distinguish it from a grape vine except it never bears grapes.
3. There are many who claim to be Christian. Only Jesus knows their hearts. We can see their fruit and make an educated guess. Does the way they live line up with their claims?
4. There are many sincere Christians who need to mature, so we must be careful even in judging men by their fruit.
B. Our main concern should be our own lives. What about the fruit we are called to bear?
1. When John the Baptist was asked what people should do to show the sincerity of their repentance, he mentioned generosity, fairness in business, and honesty. Luke 3:8-14. This is "fruit in keeping with repentance."
2. Jesus concluded His Sermon on the Mount with a warning against empty profession: Matthew 7:21.
3. Bearing fruit glorifies the Father, according to Jesus. John 15:8
4. All this is to say, Christianity should change lives. It isn’t meant to just provide a place to go on Sunday mornings.
III. God gives power in prayer: 22-25. This is the second lesson of the withered fig tree.
A. The power is given in response to our faithfulness and to help us grow more faithful:
1. If we perform what we promise, God will enable us through prayer to do more and more for His glory.
2. If we practice what we preach, God will empower us through prayer to bring forth more and more fruit for Him.
3. The Father knows we can’t live the Christian life alone, so He gives us prayer, His Word, the Church, and the Holy Spirit to strengthen us.
4. God works in us as we work out our own salvation. Philippians 2:12, 13. We are not left without the ability to do what we need to do.
B. To be effective, however, prayer must meet certain conditions:
1. It must arise out of a heart of faith willing to trust God to provide what is needed, not just to indulge every personal whim.
2. Pray with anticipation. If I make a pledge to some charity they don’t wait to receive the gift before thanking me. They thank me for the promise, anticipating its fulfillment. If we believe God is going to answer our prayers, we should thank Him immediately.
3. Pray with a forgiving heart. V. 25. God will neither forgive nor bless us if we are angry and vengeful toward others.
CONCLUSION.: Summarize. The lesson of the fig tree applies both to Israel and to us as individuals and as a Church. It teaches us that unfulfilled promises and empty professions will not satisfy God.
It also tells us God will give the power and help we need to fulfill our promises and live up to our high calling if we really want Him to do so.
