Mark 11:12-14, 20, 2112And 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. (Mark 11:12‑14)
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 11:20‑21).
JESUS had spent the night in Bethany, and the next day was returning to Jerusalem to complete His testimony there. Being hungry, and seeing a fig tree in the distance, He went to it to see if He might find any figs on it. It had leaves, but no figs. It was just like the Jewish nation. The nation had leaves of a fair profession, but there was no fruit for God. If the nation had been bearing fruit for God, why should it reject His Son? Why should Jesus, the King of Israel, be hungry among His own people? It only showed that the nation was like the barren fig tree. Plenty of leaves, plenty of profession, but no fruit.
When Jesus saw that the tree had leaves but no figs He pronounced a curse upon it, that it should never bear fruit again. And the next morning as they were passing, they saw that the fig tree was dried up from the roots. And this is just the condition of the old nation of Israel. It rejected the Son of God, and bore no fruit, and a curse has fallen on the nation. It will never bear fruit again until it becomes a new nation—born anew, through the mighty grace of God. When Jesus comes again, the nation will be born anew. A new nation will spring up where the old one withered up under the curse.
But is not this truth applicable to individuals, as well as the nation of Israel? Are there not many individuals, both young and old, who have the leaves of profession, but bear no fruit? Ah! dear children, if you would bear fruit for God, you must be born again. Without this you cannot bear fruit. You may make a profession, but that is only leaves. God must have fruit, not leaves only. So if you want to bear fruit, you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that you may get life and salvation, and then. through’ grace, you may be able to bear fruit for the Master.
ML 05/25/1902