Most of us, at one time or another, have gotten upset at some inanimate object. The thing wasn’t working the way you wanted, so you got angry at it, perhaps gave it a kick, or even threw it across the room if you were angry enough. Later you might have felt ashamed at the temper tantrum you threw. Some people think that today’s Scripture describes a temper tantrum that Jesus threw when He didn’t find figs growing on a tree when He was hungry. As we study this Scripture passage, we will see that this was not the case.
As our Scripture begins, Jesus and His disciples are leaving the village of Bethany, heading into Jerusalem for the day. Jesus was hungry, and saw a fig tree up ahead filled with leaves. When He got to the tree, though, there were no figs to be found on the tree, so He proclaimed a curse on the tree (vs. 12-14). This was not a case of a hungry Jesus, angry that He didn’t get to eat any figs. We must understand the nature of the fig trees growing in the Middle East at this time.
The type of fig trees that grew in Israel then usually had two crops of figs when mature, a spring-time crop, and then one in the late summer. Leaves would grow on the tree prior to the first crop. So, when someone saw leaves on the fig tree, they assumed there would be a crop of figs growing. The first, early spring crop of figs was the breba figs. They are not as good and tasty as the second crop, later in the summer, but they are still edible. Usually the farmers would harvest and sell the later crop, and didn’t mind anyone scavenging for the breba figs. Jesus saw leaves, which would indicate some fruit, but there wasn’t a single fig to be found. The tree was barren.
Fig trees were a symbol of the nation of Israel. This particular fig tree was barren, just like the nation was spiritually barren, not bearing any fruit. From outward appearance, Israel looked holy and spiritual. Devout Pharisees were found everywhere. People came to the Temple. However, the nation as a whole did not have true faith in Yahweh. Jesus cursed the fig tree as a sign that the nation of Israel was cursed, and would bear no more fruit until the Time of the Gentiles, which is this current age, is fulfilled when Jesus returns. True, genuine faith should show fruit. Empty religion will not. This fig tree was a warning against spiritual fruitlessness.
Later, Jesus and His disciples walk past that fig tree again, and they notice that it has withered up, down to its roots, Peter pointing that out with surprise (vs. 20-21). Jesus then used this opportunity to teach them about having faith in prayer (vs. 22-24). We all have difficulties and problems in our life, for which we pray about. Sometimes they seem as big and insurmountable as a mountain, immovable, incapable of getting around it. Jesus tells us that if we truly have faith when we pray, if we believe in His ability to do anything, our mountain of a problem can be picked up and thrown into the sea.
God can remove our mountain of difficulties. He is a miracle-working God. He can answer our prayers. This is, however, not a blanket formula to get whatever we want. First, we must be saved, having trusted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. Next, we must request only what is consistent with Jesus’s character. Then, we must check our motives. Is our goal to glorify God, and to let others see Him in us? Or are they selfish, greedy, and impure? One seeking to do the will of God will want only what God desires. The receiving of answers to prayer requires a relationship with God.
Jesus further taught us that when we pray, we must have forgiveness in our hearts for everyone who has done anything to us (vs. 25-26). God’s promise of answering our prayers and removing our mountains cannot be honored if we harbor unforgiveness. Unforgiveness breaks down our relationship with God. We may think we have good reason not to forgive, yet there is no reason given in the Bible to not forgive. God knows our situation, and He still calls us to forgive. Believers need to forgive because we have already been forgiven.
Don’t let doubt grow in your heart. Doubt tears down what faith tries to build up. When we pray, lift up faith, not the problem. Lift up your faith in God, not the circumstances. Don’t tell God how big your mountain is. Tell your mountain how big your God is!
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