Strange Case Of The Cursed Fig Tree

STRANGE CASE OF THE CURSED FIG TREE

Matthew 21:18-22

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. Barbara Albright, a young woman, was discussing her dating life -- or lack thereof -- with her mother. She told her about a friend of hers who had been in a terrible car accident, broken both her legs, and wound up marrying her orthopedic surgeon.

2. Barbara’s mother sighed: "Why can't anything like that ever happened to you?"

B. TEXT

18 Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered. 20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. 21 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ’Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

C. THESIS

1. FRUITFULNESS. If you’re a follower of Jesus, then I believe God puts something in you that makes you want to be fruitful for God – to mature in your own faith and touch the lives of others for Christ.

2. I think that those who are serious about Jesus find that just obtaining forgiveness of sins and a home in heaven isn’t enough.

3. Older Christians sometimes get the idea they have passed the time of their fruitfulness – sort of like a professional athlete who only has so many years to play. Well the good news is that you can be fruitful in Christ until your dying breath.

I.WHY LOOK FOR FIGS IN THE OFF SEASON?

There’s a lot of discussion among the commentators as to whether or not there should have been figs on the tree when Jesus went to it.

A. EXPLANATIONS OF CHRIST’S ACTIONS

1. Some commentators say that fig trees bear fruit first and then the leaves appear, or both appear about the same time. Since the tree was in leaf, figs should have been on it. (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

2. Other commentaries say that in March, the fig trees had small edible buds; in April came the large green leaves. Then in May, the buds would fall off and be replaced by the normal crop of figs. This is most likely.

3. This fig tree had all the appearance of a fig tree that was very fruitful. The Savior, coming to it and not finding a single fig, said, "May you never bear fruit again!"

B. WHY CURSE THE FIG TREE?

1. Jesus knew all about fig trees around Jerusalem. He created them, after all! It’s not like Jesus was saying, “Hmm, I wonder if this is the right time for figs?” Jesus knew that the tree should be able to offer something edible, but this tree was barren.

2. So he pronounced a curse on the tree: "May you never bear fruit again!" Was Jesus just having a bad day and taking it out on a tree?

3. So why did Jesus curse the fig tree? Here are a couple of popular theories that I think have the most credence;

a. IT WAS A JUDGMENT AGAINST ISRAEL. Many believe that Jesus saw this fig tree as a symbol of Israel (Hos. 2:12; 9:10) at that time. They professed to be fruitful, their deeds show that they were actually fruitless. So by cursing that generation, Jesus was predicting their doom and an end without fruit. Within a few days, the nation of Israel rejected their King and crucified Him, which led to war, judgment, & the destruction of the Temple in AD 70.

b. Other scholars say it’s a JUDGMENT ON FRUITLESS CHRISTIANS who make a show of bearing fruit but are, in reality, spiritually barren. I believe that should be the focus for us today; God expects us to be fruitful.

II. REASONABLENESS THAT WE SHOULD BEAR FRUIT

A. GOD/ JESUS IS A GARDENER

1. Two different times Jesus told parables in which God was portrayed as the owner of a vineyard (Matthew 20:1-8; 21:28-41). In the first, God keeps hiring laborers from the village square; in the second, he rents out his vineyard to evil tenants.

2. Jesus made clear in John 15:1; "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.”

B. BELIEVERS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FRUITFUL

1. In the parable of the four soils (Matthew 13:23), the objective was to find good soil that might yield a significant crop, the soil representing a good person.