He Sentenced the Tree To Death

# 612 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 11:12-14”Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." And His disciples heard it.

In Matthews account of this incident we are told that this fig tree was found along the road. (Mt 21:19) This means that it was available to all, it wasn't owned by a fig tree farmer.

It was an unusual tree that evidently had a great location, because it was ahead of other fig trees as far as it's bloom was concerned. (Since “it was not season for figs.”) Fig trees grow their fruit first and then the leaves follow. So naturally, when Jesus saw the leaves, He went over to the tree to grab a fig or two. But when He got there, He found nothing but leaves, not even a promise of fruit.

Finding no evidence of fruit, He sentenced the tree to death. (“Let no one eat fruit from you again!”) That seems harsh, but learn from the fig tree. It's not about all show. It's not about looking good on the outside, it's about true faith on the inside which always produces fruit on the outside. This fig tree incident is simply a visual of James 2:20 “faith without works is dead.”

Father, It is so easy to be a “doctrinal” Christian. Help us to live for You in a balance that makes us more than just “hearers” of Your Word.