On Tuesday morning, as they were heading back into the city, the disciples saw that the fig tree Jesus had cursed had withered and died. Jesus' response to them was very cryptic. Was he teaching his disciples how to move mountains? Or is there a deeper meaning? 

The lesson of the fig tree is a central motif in the first three days of Mark’s Holy Week. It’s referenced during the Triumphal Entry when he mentions the ‘leafy branches’ (Mark 11:8, ESV) that people waved in worship. On Monday, Jesus cursed the fig tree as a sign of judgment against the transactional worship happening in the temple. On Tuesday, the withered fig tree was used to teach three important lessons about the fruit Jesus desires in his followers. 

First, Jesus said, “Have faith in God.” He did not expect his disciples to move mountains literally. We have no examples of that anywhere in the Bible. But Jesus was demonstrating the importance of faith as a spiritual fruit. Jesus said in Matthew 17:20 that if we had faith the size of a mustard seed, we could move mountains. This was to demonstrate that it is not the size of our faith that matters, but the one we are putting our faith in. 

During Jesus' interrogation by the religious leaders, we see a scenario presented by the Sadducees (Mark 12:18-27). This Jewish sect did not believe in the resurrection, so they asked Jesus about a hypothetical situation: If a woman lost her husband and then married and lost all six of his brothers, who would she be married to after the resurrection? Jesus’ response was direct and pointed, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Mark 12:24, ESV)? Jesus accused the Sadducees of trying to paint God into a corner. They couldn’t understand God’s power because they lacked the fruit of faith. 

Second, Jesus taught another important lesson from the fig tree: to forgive others. The Golden Rule says to treat others the way we want to be treated. I like to call this the Gospel Rule: to treat others the way we want to be treated by God. This is the fruit of the gospel. 

After hearing Jesus’ answer to the Sadducees, a scribe asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was (Mark 12:28-34). Jesus replied, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31, ESV). In this, Jesus demonstrated that our proper understanding of our relationship with him should flow through us and produce the fruit of forgiveness. How can we not forgive others when our heavenly Father has forgiven so much in us?

Finally, as they were leaving the city that evening, one of Jesus’ disciples commented on the temple's greatness (Mark 13:1-37). Jesus responded by saying that the temple would be destroyed. Later, on the Mount of Olives, when Jesus was alone with his disciples, he explained what the future held. It portrayed a bleak end of the age, where persecution would increase, perversion would be celebrated, and everything would be destroyed. But Jesus included the hope that he would return and rescue his people. 

This is where we see the final lesson from the fig tree. Jesus said that when he returns, he will be looking for the fruit of faithfulness. “Be on guard! Stay awake” (Mark 13:33, 37, ESV)! And here is where we get the answer to that pressing question I mentioned yesterday. Why did Mark record that it was not the season for figs? And why did Jesus curse the fig tree when he knew it was not in season? Jesus suggests that when He returns, if there is no fruit, the trees will not be given more time. They will be judged as they are found with or without fruit. 

The lesson of the fig tree is full of details for us to learn. The most important question is, are we bearing the fruit that Jesus is seeking? Are we growing in and living by faith? Are we forgiving others as we have been forgiven? Are we waiting faithfully and persevering until the end? Have faith in God. Forgive. Stay awake. 

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