Mark 11:12--14; 20--21
The next day when they left Bethany, Jesus was hungry. In the distance
He saw a fig tree with leaves, and He went to see if He could find
anything on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, because
it wasn't the season for figs. Then He said to the tree, and His
disciples heard Him: "May nobody ever eat fruit from you again!"...When
they walked by early in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from
the roots up. Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Master, look! The fig
tree You cursed is dried up."
Beck
In the name of the Son of David, amen.
On Tuesday of Holy Week the disciples saw that the tree Jesus' cursed had
dried up. Most pastors who preach on this text, including those who are
extreme in arguing against any sort of understanding beyond the literal,
focus immediately on the idea that the tree is a picture of hypocrisy.
While I do not argue that such an understanding is inherent in the true
account, we should not leave the literal understanding too quickly.
According to those who know, a fig tree at this time of year in Israel
should not have leaves on it. The leaves would be a sure sign of fruit
in any case, but this tree, bearing leaves out of season did not have
fruit. This tree was not functioning according to the way God intended
it to function. It was functioning contrary to its created purpose. In
that fact lies the reason why Jesus cursed it. We are to serve God by
functioning the way He intended us to function.
Now draw the parallels with us. There are ways that God intends us to
function which He tells us in His Holy Word. Are we functioning that
way? We were created to serve God by working. Do we work, or do we try
to find ways not to work at all? We are created male and female. Are we
happy with our gender? Or do we wish we were the opposite gender? Or
that there were no distinction in gender? We were created to procreate
(if we are married) under normal circumstances (yes, there are God
pleasing reasons for not procreating). Do we? Or do we avoid it out of
selfishness? We were created to marry before engaging in sexual
activity. How far have we stretched that line? Obviously this list goes
on and on, but the point is, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked--as
you sow, so shall you reap."
As mentioned yesterday, in the week of Palmarum the focus is largely on
Jesus' patience during His suffering. God will not tolerate the
creature, be it a tree or human being, which does not function according
to the way He created it. He does not have patience for such things.
But, for those who repent, who sincerely desire to live according to
God's gracious will, He has great patience. He has the sort of patience
that caused Him to remain silent when unjustly accused so that all who
are repentant would be forgiven by His sacrifice. Furthermore, by His
powerful word which is able to make a tree wither, He created new life in
you, and gives you the power to live according to His will.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, you crated man in your image to serve you in
holiness forever. But we turned away from you and from the first man
right down to us we have constantly wanted to be something other than
what you created us to be. We regret that we have acted this way and ask
that You forgive our sin because of Jesus' sacrifice for us. Created a
new heart in us again by speaking to us through you Holy Word. Send your
Holy Spirit upon us to guide and strengthen us so that we can live the
way you created us to live. Amen.