Easter Devotional Series
Day 3: Tuesday on the Mount
“...When I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the first ripe figs of the season… The people of Israel are struck down. Their roots are dried up, and they will bear no more fruit…” Hosea 9:10,16 (NLT)
“and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ And immediately the fig tree withered up.
The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, ‘How did the fig tree wither so quickly?’
Then Jesus told them, ‘I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.’” Matthew 21:19-22 (NLT)
This brief story may, at first glance, seem like an odd anecdote for Matthew to include as part of the narrative of the holy week of Easter. Its inclusion here is very important, though. Jesus had just cleared the temple, and the religious rulers of the day were getting closer and closer to arresting Him. These were public figures who appeared to have incredible faith, but their actions did not bear the fruit God desired.
Fig trees are supposed to bear fruit in February before the leaves even arrive. The leaves are then a sign that the fruit is ripe and ready for eating. A hungry Jesus sees this tree budding with leaves. He was probably ready for a nice, ripe fig. However, the tree only appeared to be fruitful. Underneath the leaves, there was no fruit. It was a significant metaphor for the religious rulers of Jesus’ day.
As Jesus curses the tree, He echoes the words of the prophet Hosea who looked at the state of Israel in his day and compared them to a fig tree that would be cursed, never to bear fruit again. In Hosea’s time, though they had the appearance of godliness, the people of Israel were unjust and often took advantage of the poor.
The religious rulers in Jesus’ time were acting in the same manner. We see the religious leaders around Him going to great lengths to maintain the appearance of godliness and faithfulness through long prayers and complex explanations for God’s law, but they were not bearing the fruit God wanted. The poor and needy among them were still ignored. They were not living out God’s love.
As we look forward to Sunday and the resurrection, we must remember that a resurrected life is one with fruit to match the faith we possess. Our works do not save us, but the sacrifice of Jesus should lead us to good works that elevate the poor and lowly and advocate for the marginalized.
Jesus’ brother, James, points this out when he writes, “Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” James 2:15-17
Soak and Reflect
“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” - 1 John 3:18 (NLT)
Dear God, I know that it’s not enough to just SAY I believe in you; I need to live it out, like you did by sending Jesus to die for me. Help me to find ways to show your love to others each day. I may not be able to give people a hug right now, but there are lots of ways I can help. Give me the wisdom and strength to find those ways and to act on them today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
