IMPOSTERS GET CURSED

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree

“The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.”

We don’t see many examples of Jesus becoming angry in the Bible, but we do see it when He is dealing with people who falsely profess to be true worshippers of God. In the passage above, we see Jesus using the fig tree to illustrate how He feels about those who give the appearance of being fruitful, but in fact, are imposters - just as the fig tree gave the appearance of bearing fruit, but in fact, did not.
 
Immediately following this object lesson as you continue to read beyond this passage, Jesus acts out His anger and disgust on the false worshippers at the temple, including forcefully ejecting them and calling them “a den of robbers.”   I love the way Jesus helped His disciples to understand in advance of this event just why it was necessary, by using the fig tree as an example. He was a master of using stories, parables and imagery to help people to wrap their heads around challenging truths and concepts. While His teachings often required listening at a deeper level for the true meanings involved, it is always worth it to do so. It’s also a wonderful way to remember His teachings, by the memorable and unique presentations in which He presented them.  

With the specific example of this passage in Mark 11, we should all be challenged to re-examine our own spiritual motives for worshipping God. Although most of us may think that we are far from ever committing the kind of obvious selfish and even criminal behaviors inside of God’s own house, (the church), there are some more subtle but similar traps that can just as easily ensnare us if we’re not careful, resulting in God’s anger. Here are some key questions that are helpful to prayerfully consider from time to time to keep us from falling into such traps. Before asking ourselves these questions, consider Galatians 5: 22-23:

22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Here are the key questions that are helpful for us to ask ourselves:

1. What are the specific spiritual fruits that are evident in my life today, and which ones may need more cultivation than the rest?  
2. Since I’ve accepted Christ, how well have my spiritual fruits grown and matured over time?
3. Do others easily recognize my spiritual fruits?
4. Are there areas of my faith that I have been fronting about, in order to appear better than I actually am in front of others?
5. Have I allowed God to prune me in some areas of my life that He has told me must be removed, so that real growth can occur?
6. Am I surrounding myself with people and supports that are helping me to grow good fruit, including being accountable to those that the Lord leads me to be accountable to?
7. Is there evidence of my fruit helping others to themselves become more fruitful?

Finally, we must also be sure to remember from where the source of our fruitfulness really is. It’s not from our own works and resourcefulness. It’s not from the generosity of others or good fortune. Our source of power in bearing real fruit comes only from the Son of God himself, Jesus, as helped by the Holy Spirit. He has made it abundantly clear in His word to us in John 15:5 (Amplified Bible), that if we are to be successful “fig trees,” we must fully remain devoted in living for Him in every way:
 
 “I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.”

Let’s pray…
Lord, help us to bear real fruit. Fruit that You will be pleased with. Fruit that comes from allowing You to prune, water and fertilize us as You see fit. Help us to willingly admit when we are at times, barren of the fruit that You desire, and not pretend to You and to others that it’s there, when it’s not. We never want to disappoint You or make You angry that we are imposters of the faith or false worshippers. We know how You despise that. We know that You are totally unworthy of that. We ask this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.