Matthew 21:18-22

Matthew 21:18-22 NIV

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. 
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. 
Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To really understand this bizarre event in the life of Christ is to read it in context with the entire chapter. What precedes the story of the cursed fig tree is the Triumphant Entry in which Jesus is met with praise by the crowd, but with suspicion by the religious elite. The opposition of the religious leadership continues after this story. The purpose of the cursed fig tree is to symbolically imply the unfruitful ministry of the temple system and its leadership.

The fig tree is a symbol of blessing and prosperity under the rule of the Messiah. Here's a passage from the prophet Micah.

In the last days the mountain of the Lord ʼs temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord , to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.
Micah 4:1-4 NIV

Notice the fruit of the kingdom of the Messiah. It is marked by knowledge of God's right ways, enthusiastic worship and service of God, and the resulting blessings of peace and plenty. Sitting unharmed and without harassment under one's own grape vine and fig tree points to the peace and protection of the Lord, as well as His providing.

Jesus did not witness peace in the people, nor plenty. The majority lived at a basic subsistence level and were overburdened with taxes and the oppression of Rome. The religious leadership of Jerusalem was tolerant of, and somewhat benefited from, the corrupt political system that put King Herod in power. Jesus did not find their ministry fruitful.

When Jesus cursed the fig tree, He was prefiguring what was to happen to Jerusalem and its temple. For as the fig tree withered, so did God's protection and providence for Jerusalem. The Romans, tired of Jewish resistance, attacked the city and tore the temple down to its foundations, about 40 years later.

Now the confusing thing for me is why does Matthew hide the meaning in symbolism and offer this event as a teaching on faith? When the disciples in amazement asked how the fig tree withered and died so fast, Jesus used the moment to teach about faith in the authority of Christ, an authority shared with the church. Jesus said the disciples could curse a fig tree just like He did if they had faith and did not doubt.

How often do I pray only halfheartedly, not fully believing God will grant my request? Perhaps it's praying for the terminally ill to be miraculously healed. We live in a time where miracles are rarely witnessed and, when they are reported, they are viewed with suspicion. Science and medicine speaks louder than faith in the creator and the authority of the name of Jesus. Our experience practically dictates this doubt. Who could blame us? When Jesus miraculously healed people, the people were astounded precisely because it was out of their normative experience.

But Jesus said to His disciples, you can do even more than curse a fig tree. You can move mountains! No obstacle will be to great for you if you believe and do not doubt. Jesus specifically said you can move "this mountain", referring to the temple mount built by Herod the Great. Indeed the Romans moved the mountain, tearing it down to rubble, but later centuries of Muslims, Jews and Christians rebuilt the mount. So even Jesus' teaching on faith here symbolically points to the coming destruction of the temple.

Later Jesus will weep over the city because He knew what was coming.

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”
Matthew 23:37-39 NIV

Not only will the house be desolate of occupants because of the destruction of Jerusalem, but THE HOUSE, the temple, will be desolate of the Holy One. For Jerusalem did not comprehend that the Lord of heaven and earth, their God, was before them in the person of Jesus. Therefore since they did not see fit to welcome the king of glory, the King will go elsewhere.

Jesus came to Jerusalem hungry, but did not find sustenance. When the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred, there was a brief increase in worship attendance in the US. People who did not frequent church life came hungry. Many walked away unsatisfied for they did not find sustenance for their seeking souls. Would your congregation provide satisfying fruit to seekers, or would only the already churched folks be the only ones buying?

May the Lord awaken the church to undoubting faith and take up the mission of Christ to go and make disciples. Oh Lord, teach us to be fruitful.