As Jesus was returning to the city, “He became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, He went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And He said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and THROWN INTO THE SEA,’ IT WILL HAPPEN. And WHATEVER you ask IN PRAYER, YOU WILL RECEIVE, IF YOU HAVE FAITH.” (Matthew 21:18-22)
When trying to understand the significance of this story, it is important to UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT. Matthew intentionally organized His material in a way to TEACH US SPECIFIC LESSONS. He does not include this random event just because He thought it interesting. Rather it is a part of a larger lesson that he is presenting. The context of this passage is important. It will help us to understand why Matthew included it. And what He is telling us through it. This passage is preceded and followed by accounts of conflict. On one side is the cleansing of the temple and the praise of the little children. On the other side, it concerns his authority to do what He was doing, HEALING AND TEACHING.
So the context is one of conflict. The Jewish religious leaders are indignant with Jesus and challenge His authority. They have rejected Him as their Messiah. And were trying to DISCREDIT HIM and turn the people’s hearts away from Him. We need to bear that in mind when we look at what happens to the fig tree and Jesus’ teaching concerning it.
One other note on context that Matthew does not record. In Mark 11:13 we are told that it was not the season for figs. So it would not appear to be reasonable for Jesus to actually expect the tree to have figs. So, it would seem that there is more to this story than Jesus’ disappointment in NOT HAVING FIGS FOR BREAKFAST.
I don’t believe that Jesus is referring to literally casting Jerusalem’s mountain, or any mountain for that matter, into the sea. Nor is He telling us that we can curse a fig tree and have it withered. So, then, just what is He saying to us in this passage.
I believe it has to do with REJECTING THE OLD WAY OF THE LAW with all of the baggage associated with it. And instead, BY FAITH, TURNING TO CHRIST FOR SALVATION. It is by grace we are saved, through faith. By faith, we can cast off the old shackles that imprisoned us. And we can experience the newness of knowing Christ in His fullness.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham