Open your Bible with me to Mark Chapter 11. More specifically, I’d like to concentrate on Mark 11:12-26. The story about the fig tree is probably not new to you. For so many years I struggled with why Jesus was so angry at a tree. Doesn’t the scripture say that figs were not in season? Why would Jesus expect figs to be there? I wouldn’t go into a cotton field in May and expect there to be white bolls waiting to be picked. But if you read the passage a few times, and then look at the story sandwiched between the two encounters with the fig tree….it begins to make sense.
Beginning in verse 12, Jesus is hungry. He sees a fig tree from a distance “in leaf”. Expecting to find fruit, Jesus reaches out only to find that this tree, while appearing to be able to bear fruit, is nothing but leaves and no fruit. Let me stress two items: The purpose of this tree is to bear fruit. Secondly, from a distance, this tree appears to bear fruit. When the reality doesn’t match the purpose….Jesus is disappointed.
Stay with me here. Read on to Mark 11:15-17. Jesus enters the temple and drives out those that are buying and selling there. He overturns the money changer’s table and the benches of those selling doves. He says, “Is it not written: ’My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” Let me stress two things: First, the purpose of the temple is to be a place of worship and prayer. Secondly, the reality of the temple doesn’t match purpose….Jesus is angry.
Coming back by the fig tree after leaving the temple, Peter points out that the fig tree has withered (Mark 11:20-21) Read on through Mark 11:22-26 and see that Jesus is telling us that our faith, obedience and action are our fruits to God.
A closer inspection by Jesus found that appearances can be deceiving. A leafy fig tree from a distance gave the false pretense that it would bear fruit. The temple appears to be a holy place but had, in fact, been turned into a “den of robbers”. You have a purpose. When you arose out of the water at your baptism your purpose changed. But does the reality of your life match your purpose? Does mine? Just as a fig tree bears fruit, you too are purposed with bearing fruit. The Master will take a closer look. What will he find?