Mark 11:12-14 (GW) 12 The next day, when they left Bethany, Jesus became hungry. 13 In the distance he saw a fig tree with leaves. He went to see if he could find any figs on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves because it wasn’t the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “No one will ever eat fruit from you again!” His disciples heard this.
It is true that fig trees around Jerusalem normally begin to get leaves in March or April but do not produce figs until their leaves are all out in June. This tree however would seem to be an exception in that it was already, at the time of the Passover, full of leaves. Therefore Jesus thinking that there could be fruit on this tree headed over for to eat. This got me to ponder some interesting thoughts.
Initially we could say the tree had no fruit because it was not the season for fruit, but then wouldn’t Jesus have been unjust to curse the tree because it did not produce fruit before it was time? However; I think, upon deeper reflection and knowing Jesus is not unjust, we see things a little differently.
This passage starts by saying Jesus was hungry. Therefore he would have been looking for food. From a distance Jesus saw this fig tree in leaf. Now one could say a couple leaves could mean in leaf but I think from the context we could conclude it was in full leaf. Why else would Jesus, who is full of the wisdom of God, go toward the tree looking for food? Upon closer observation, Jesus found this full leafed, fig tree to be nothing more then all show and no go. Worthless for the purpose it was created, to produce figs.
Okay, it was out of season for fruit, but it was also out of season to be in full leaf. Why then would the tree be in full leaf if it were not full of figs? There is not much it is good for other then to deceive a hungry traveler into thinking there is food for him to eat.
Thoughts and views as seen from the resident raptor. Reflecting on life and the world as I see it.
