Jesus is acting in his role as judge and, having completed his provocative action in the temple, he now does something else in the sight of his followers that is rich in symbolism. He curses a fig tree because it had no figs. Mark tells us that it was not even the season for figs. So, this is not just a case of Jesus losing his temper because he was hungry. This is a prophetic act. The fig tree is used here as a symbol of Israel, as it often is in Old Testament prophecies. Jesus is looking for the fruit of God in Israel. They had been called to be a people of blessing, to raise-up and restore humankind and transform the earth. But they had burrowed down and were self-focused and defensive. They were obsessed with securing their own lifestyles. Moreover, the very people whom God was calling them to bless, they warded off as a threat to their ambitions. In all this they justified themselves by their observance of the law and the temple, all the while completely missing the point of both. So, Jesus declares judgement, and that judgement is fruitlessness. It is a curious response: he finds no fruit and so he forbids any possibility of fruitfulness in the future. In other words, he finds a bad situation and his judgement is to make the bad situation worse. Sometimes God will make things worse in your life to ultimately make things better. If you are not bearing fruit for God, then may he help you to notice that.
Reflect on the fruitfulness of your life.
Read Matthew 21:18-22 and Mark 11:12-25
