Fig Leaf Troubles Again!

"He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, 'May no one ever eat your fruit again!'" Mark 11:13-14 NLT

It has always bothered me that Jesus cursed the fig tree for not having fruit when it says it was too early in the season for it to have fruit! Seems a little unfair to the fig tree, don’t you think?

My study Bible shares this . . .

It takes 3 years from the time a fig tree is planted until it bears fruit. Maybe this was fig tree was only 2 years old?

Fig trees yield a great amount of fruit twice a year . . . in the spring and early autumn. Maybe it was summer or winter when Jesus walked by?

Figs normally grow as the leaves fill out. That explains it! The fig tree was in full leaf; there should have been fruit.

The fig tree gave the “appearance” of fruit. When Jesus found none, he said no one would ever eat fruit from that fig tree again. It withered from the roots and died.

So how does this apply to my life, to the life of the born-again, spirit filled Christian?

If we are fruitful in appearance only, we are living a religious life without substance . . . spiritual barrenness.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

The Message Bible reads . . .

But what happens when we live God's way?
He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like
affection for others (love)
exuberance about life (joy)
serenity (peace)

We develop a willingness to stick with things (patience)
a sense of compassion in the heart (kindness)
and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. (goodness)

We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments (faithfulness)
not needing to force our way in life (gentleness)
able to marshal and direct our energies wisely (self-control)

fruit in parenthesis added)

Walking in and producing fruit of the Spirit is not a piece of cake! There will be pruning, a cutting away of dead things in our lives. Pruning produces more fruit, allowing God to fulfill His plan and purpose for our life on this earth.

Be fruitful, not just leafy!