Its leaves rustled gently in the early morning light, beckoning people to come to it. Jesus came looking for figs for breakfast. He found none. Not one single fig. He cursed the tree. It withered and died.

Why did Jesus curse the tree? Was He some angry, retaliatory God-man punishing a tree for false advertising? After all, the leaves indicated it had figs! No, that is not who Jesus was nor who He is.  He had a far greater purpose in cursing the tree.  He had two lessons for both His disciples and us.

Just as the fig tree falsely advertised that it had fruit, so the religious leaders in His day falsely alleged that they knew the way to God. They had the form of religion without the relationship and resulting fruit. Jesus came warning them and us, saying be authentic. Be who you appear to be. Don’t be a hypocrite.  

Do we claim to be a follower of Christ, but bear no fruit; either the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – Galatians 5:22, 23) within our lives, or help others come to know God? If we have no evidence that Christ lives within us, yet claim He does, we may be in danger of being cursed.

Jesus not only issued a warning, He also wanted His disciples and us to know that if we truly are His follower, He will empower us to do His work. He told them, “If you have faith and do not doubt, you can say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and it will be done” (Matthew 21:21). In Christ’s time, a mountain referred to an insurmountable problem (Enduring Word Bible Commentary, Mark 11). Thus, Christ was saying through faith in Him, we can overcome overwhelming obstacles blocking the work of Christ. Through His Spirit, we have the power to both discern and do God’s work. Our faith in Christ, and His identity are the basis of our work for Him. 

Are we truly His? Are we allowing Him to both guide and empower us in the work He desires us to accomplish? Let us honor Him in both!

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