Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree

20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.

These passages from Mark 11 are not a parable but a figurative lesson. Pun not intended.

Hosea 9:10

Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree in its first season, I saw your fathers. But they came to Baal-peor and consecrated themselves to the thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved.

Jeremiah 24:5

“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans.

These scriptures compare Israel to fig trees. The lesson of the fig tree applies to Israel.

At the time that Jesus examines the fig tree, early April perhaps, He would not have expected ripe fruit, but with young leaves there would be a bud ready to blossom and later bear fruit. He found none and cursed the tree.

Matthew 24:32

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.”

Seeing that there was no sign in Israel of what was coming, that Israel was not ready to bear fruit unto righteousness, Jesus cursed the tree figuratively cursing Israel that they would not produce fruits of righteousness. 

Galatians 3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”

Since no one has ever obeyed all 613 laws except Jesus, then faith in Him is the only Way.

Psalm 5 English Standard Version

Lead Me in Your Righteousness

1 Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning.
2 Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.
3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.
5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.
6 You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

9 For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.
10 Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.
12 For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

This Psalm of David was shown as a vision by Jesus, seeing David singing on the show The Chosen. Choosing this psalm at this time in the show is very powerful because the Psalm itself begs all of us to ask the same for ourselves, to be led by His Righteousness.

What stuck me about this psalm were the words “their throat is an open grave”. The self-righteous speak only death but they do not know it and they prattle on as if they alone have all the answers. Those words ring in my ears every day now. It feels like nothing has changed in 2000 years.

But it has. I have changed. To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to love others. His love is the difference.