Mark 11:11-2111And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. 12And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. 15And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. 18And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. 19And when even was come, he went out of the city. 20And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. (Mark 11:11‑21)
“AND ON the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, He was hungry: and seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find anything thereon: and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves.... And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter.... In the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried un from the roots.”
Jerusalem was called “The City of David” and the temple was the place of worship. It should have been a most sacred spot to these people, but the Lord found them entirely lacking in true reverence. The story of the fruitless fig tree is really the story of God’s earthly people, the Jews, who were making much display and show, but having no fruit to God. The pronouncement against the tree is therefore, in type, the judgment of God on the faithlessness of the Jewish nation and as a result we see that nation today in persecution, away from God’s blessing, and its people largely outcast.
“And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and ban to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers,... saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.” The Lord’s righteous anger is shown because this people were not only failing to bring forth good fruit, but were corrupting the very place of worship. Of course, the scribes and chief priests did not like this judgment on their behavior and sought some way to kill Him, for they actually feared Him and His effect on the common people.
It is easy for us to see and speak of judgment against Israel but We should also look into our own hearts and see how much of our profession is merely “religion” and outward display. Many who claim to be “Christians” do so only outwardly, having had no real exercise of heart, conviction of sin, or true acceptance of the Lord Jesus as personal Saviour. No good fruit or blessing can come from empty profession; and display without reality must be rejected by God. Likewise, those who in any degree use “religious connections” as a means of improving their position before friends, or even to help in business matters, will surely know God’s hand in dealing with such hypocrisy. May there be reality in the profession of each reader of this paper.
“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:12-1312For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12‑13).
Jesus could not remain in the atmosphere of empty profession and we read: “When the even was come He went out of the city.” Friend, the evening of this sad world has also come and night is about to fall in all of its darkness, when the invitation to come to the Saviour of sinners will no longer be offered. If you are still only a “professor” and not a true “confessor” of Christ as your personal Saviour, do give earnest heed to warnings of judgment to come. “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked... turn ye, turn ye... for why will ye die?” Ezekiel 33:1111Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11).
ML-01/19/1964