Reflections for Easter: Fruitful or Fruitless

Mark 11:12-25 (NLT) ~

The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.

When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.  He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city.

The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.  I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

As Jesus and His disciples headed back to Jerusalem, they were hungry.  The day before had been an emotional one which involved crowds shouting and singing, "Hosanna!"  "Make way for the King of Israel!" 

In the distance they see a fig tree, and while it is not the season for figs, all indications show that there is probably fruit on it.  The fruit of the fig tree generally appears before the leaves and as this tree was in full leaf, it seemed as if it had produced early.  Yet, when they arrived, they found no fruit and Jesus cursed the tree.

Was he just having a bad day?  It would seem that way, given the fact that his very next act was to drive the money changers out of the temple in anger!  But that is not the case here.

The people of Israel, and especially the religious leaders, followed the letter of the law.  They claimed to be holy and righteous and fruitful, yet they were utterly blind to who Jesus was.  Worse, they took advantage of the poor and needy in the name of their religion.  Coming and sacrificing at the temple involved bringing an animal for sacrifice.  The poorest generally had no animal to bring and were able to purchase small doves and birds to use.  But the money changers were overcharging, burdening an already impoverished people. 

How about us?  As Christians, are we claiming to be fruitful when in fact, we are barren and fruitless?  How many times do we go to church, open our mouths in worship and then turn around and show very little compassion to our neighbors, friends, family and coworkers?  Are we putting on a show with full, leafy branches but bear zero fruit in our life?

As we focus on the death and resurrection this coming week, let's not make Christ's sacrifice meaningless. It becomes meaningless when we refuse to change. It is insignificant when we continue to go our own selfish way and disregard his teaching. When we remain fruitless, Jesus' sacrifice dwindles from a riveting, life-changing moment in history to just a nice story that we recall once a year.

Christ's sacrifice on the cross should cause us to live changed lives. Fruitful lives. Lives
poured out for Him.