Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

Jesus returns to Jerusalem:

In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem,

He was hungry, 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.

Matthew 21:18-19

This seems like a drastic response to a barren fig tree don’t you think? Was Jesus showing signs of human stress and frustration?

Or was it something else completely?

If you’ve been following along Jesus’ teachings throughout the Gospels you know there have been many instances where He uses common, daily occurrences as a “teachable moment”.

Remember the time Jesus and the disciples were strolling thru a wheat field on the sabbath, casually snacking on some of the plant tops only to be confronted by the Pharasees for breaking the Law prohibiting harvest on the Sabbath. Jesus teaches that He, the Son of Man, is above the Law of the Sabbath.

Later the same day he heals a man’s deformed hand teaching that even on the Sabbath a person is permitted to do good (Matt 12:1-14).

There are many more, look for them as you read and study the Gospels.

Back to the fig tree, what was the point?

Even the Disciples were perplexed, how did this happen so quickly? Jesus teaches a lesson on faith, of all things. Jesus points out the power of faith saying, “You can pray for anything and if you have faith, you will receive it” (Matt 21:22).

Have you ever experienced Jesus’ hand in a seemingly common occurrence? Maybe you avoided a car accident by mere seconds or received a gift or visit at just the exact moment you needed it.

Have you prayed for something like a successful medical procedure or something as simple as an uneventful airplane flight?

You may have not even recognized it in the moment, but because of your faith, Jesus had a hand in the outcome.

Pray:

Dear Father in heaven, I know that Jesus’ hand is in all that I experience every day. Keep my faith strong and help me to recognize your love and mercy and saving grace daily.

In Jesus glorious name I pray, Amen