SECTION 10: THE REJECTION OF THE KING
CHAPTER 49
THE FRUITLESS FIG TREE
OR
CLAIMS OF DIVINE AUTHORITY
Scripture To Consider:
“Now in the morning, as Jesus returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, ‘Let no fruit grow on you ever again.’ And immediately the fig tree withered away.”
“Now when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, ‘How did the fig tree wither away so soon?’ So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” it will be done. And all things, whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.’“ Matthew 21.18-22
Something To Consider:
The withering of the fruitless fig tree was not only a miracle wrought by the power of Christ; it was a parable style lesson of the punishment which was to be visited upon the nation of Israel for its sin and unbelief. And let it also be said that this fruitless fig tree parable style lesson of the punishment for sin and unbelief continues to this day to remain true of all nations who forget God or who refuse to remember Him and His Word. And though America has had a blessed beginning and a biblical foundation, it is in immediate danger of both the judgment and punishment of God.
The nation of Israel had made a profession of holiness; it had maintained its pretentious rituals; it had preserved a form of godliness, but when the King had come, He had found none of the real fruits of true righteousness. And now His rejection was to be followed by the national disaster of which the withering of the fruitless fig tree was both a parable and a warning.
This story may contain a note of admonition for all who bear the name of Christ. And yet, their lives must correspond with their profession and their deeds with their claims. However, for His immediate followers the King found in the miracle a message of inspiration and cheer. As His disciples marveled at His power, Jesus declared that similar power was at their command and that it was the power of believing prayer.
According to Jesus, this believing prayer could move mountains; not that a literal attempt was to be made, but that this believing prayer could do things otherwise impossible. Of course, there are other familiar conditions, but our temptation is to limit the implications of the promise made by Jesus, “And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
And according to James in His letter to the twelve tribes of Israel, he wrote, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss [or contrary to God’s Word and will], that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Our prayer requests would have a better chance of being answered if they were in accordance with God’s Word, God’s kingdom, and God’s will.
More Scripture To Consider:
“Now when Jesus came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?’ But Jesus answered and said to them, ‘I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?’“
“And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” He will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “From men,” we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus and said, ‘We do not know.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’” Matthew 21.23-27
Something Else To Consider:
As Jesus reached the city He was at once attacked by all the Jewish rulers and leaders. They challenged Him to state by what authority He was acting in receiving honors as the Messiah or in driving the traders from the temple as on the day past. Their question was framed with subtle skill, as they asked, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”
They wrongfully believed they had placed Jesus in a dilemma. If Jesus claimed that authority had been delegated to Him, then He may be accused of disloyalty and of schism in supplanting the recognized authorities of the Jewish state. If Jesus claimed inherent divine authority, as one from God, He may be condemned for blasphemy.
Jesus silenced his enemies with a question which involved them in a counter dilemma, as Jesus asked, “The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And because they feared men, they reasoned among themselves. They attempted to escape by the cowardly reply, “We do not know.” Agnosticism is usually cowardly and deserving of little respect. According to Proverbs 29.25, “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.”
Jesus does more than silence these so-called religious leaders; He answered them. His question was no irrelevant riddle by which He creates a difficulty and delays the necessity of a reply. He definitely implies that the authority of John was divine, and that His own authority was and is the same. But as they were afraid to deny the divine authority of John, they were powerless to deny that of Jesus. It is true that if we are afraid to accept the logical conclusions of our doubts and denials, we never can hope to discover truth.
Jesus further rebuked and exposed His enemies. When they admitted that they did not know where John the Baptist received his authority, Jesus knew, they knew, and the crowds of people knew, that they were not being honest. Therefore, the Lord had laid bare their hypocrisy. He made it perfectly evident that the real question at issue was not and is not authority but obedience. The enemies of Jesus were pretending, then and now, that they wanted to know more of His credentials, but what they really wanted was to discredit Jesus and to entrap Him.
The modern enemies of our Lord declare that they want more proof and more evidence. What they really lack is love for Him and submission to His will and His Word. Those who do not repent when John preaches will not believe when Jesus offers to save them. The world today does not need more proof of divine authority from Jesus, but more obedience to His preserved and divine living Word. The Word of God is full of proof of the divine authority of Jesus, but spiritually blinded eyes and hardened hearts may never be willing to understand and or to believe.
Jesus absolutely discredited His enemies in the sight of all the people. These same enemies were the constituted authorities in all matters civil and religious, and yet they were made to confess publicly that they were not competent to judge a clear, familiar, and important case relating to religious authority. They had no choice but to abandon their position of attempted entrapment. They, therefore, were disqualified to pass an opinion on the exact parallel case of the divine authority of Jesus.
Jesus had defeated them with their own weapon. No wonder that subsequently, when Jesus was on trial before such judges, He refused to answer them a word. He had shown their incompetence, their insincerity, and their unbelief. Honest doubters are deserving of sympathy, put professed seekers of truth, who are unwilling to accept the consequences of belief, should expect to receive no further light. An increasing knowledge of divine truth is conditioned upon humble submission of the heart and the will to what already has been revealed.
Something More To Consider:
The fruitless fig tree was in essence a most accurate portrayal of the nation of Israel in the days of Jesus and also of the nation of Israel today. Though the nation as a whole has continued to profess to be a religious entity, it is not Christian. Yes, there are believing Christians living among the nation of Israel, but in general, the nation remains spiritually unfruitful, much like the nation of America today.
And yet, the mountain moving faith in the form of persevering prayer ascends to the throne of God for the nation of Israel to have its blinders removed from their eyes, ears, and heart. And as well, true believer’s mountain moving faith in the form of persevering prayer for America should be, that God might awaken the masses of men, women, and young people to the truth of His written and preserved Word, rather than their allowing false prophets to lull them to sleep with unbiblical false doctrines and lies.
So much for the nation of Israel being portrayed by Jesus as a fruitless fig tree. What about the so-called Christian church? Are we as guilty of being seen by Jesus as a fruitless fig tree, or fruitless apple tree, or fruitless peach tree? According to Jesus’ own words in Luke’s gospel chapter 18, and in verse 8; “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Hopefully, there remains a remnant few, who faithfully remain steadfast, and who stand firm on the promises and end time warnings of God. Hopefully, there are still those who desire to endure to the end of their lives or to endure to the end of this age as commanded by Jesus in Matthew 10.22, Matthew 24.13, and Mark 13.13. Hopefully, there are those who still desire to live godly lives even though it will increase the odds of their being persecuted. Only time will truly tell!
A Few Final Words:
Whether the claims of divine authority by Jesus are believed or not, does not change in the least the validity of Jesus’ claims. Scripture, whether Old or New Testament, verify Jesus’ claims of divine authority. The many miracles attested to by the gospel writers also verify Jesus’ claim of divine authority. And yet, the most convincing evidence is the fact that the Holy Spirit bears witness to our spirit, that Jesus is the Christ, not only the Son of David, but the only begotten Son of God!
Therefore, as true born-again believers, do we willingly accept, and lovingly submit to the claims of divine authority required by Jesus in our own lives? Or do our lives more rightly represent those of the chief priests and so-called religious leaders of Jesus’ day, who constantly opposed His every claim or teaching?
To accept the claims of divine authority according to Jesus, we gain every reward promised whether present or future rewards. But, by our refusing to accept the claims of divine authority granted Jesus by His heavenly Father, we thereby gain every judgment of God that the Word of God cautions us against.
In Closing:
The final decision lies solely on the human race of every generation. The most important and personal choice rests with every man, woman, and young person alive at this moment on planet earth. The correct choice leads to a new and abundant life in Christ here and now and in eternity forever. The incorrect choice brings sudden destruction and an onslaught of worldly deception and damnation. Therefore, let us choose wisely! And that is something more to consider!
Let’s Pray:
Our Father in heaven, thank You for the lesson of a lifetime concerning the fruitless fig tree. Teach us the lessons that will allow us to make all of the correct choices this life offers. Help us to fully believe in Jesus’ claims of divine authority and the multitude of claims of the Word of God as well. May we be found in the end looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our mountain moving faith. In Him Always, Amen!
According to Jesus 