Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Mark 11:12-14
12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 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. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.
12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 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. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.
Commentary:
11:13–14 found nothing but leaves. Since the fruit of the fig tree begins to appear about the same time as the leaves (or a little after), the appearance of leaves in full bloom should have indicated that fruit (in the form of green figs) was already growing. Jesus’ actions here have symbolic importance, signifying the hypocrisy of all who have the appearance that they are bearing fruit but in fact are not. The specific reference, though, is to Israel, since in the OT the fig tree often serves as a metaphor for Israel and its standing before God (e.g., Jer. 8:13; Hos. 9:10, 16; Joel 1:7). Here the cursing of the fig tree signifies the judgment of God on the “fruitless” Jewish people (cf. Mark 7:6), who had turned away from God into empty ritual and legalism (cf. Hos. 9:10–17). It is a visual parable to signify Jesus’ unrequited search for the true fruit of worship, prayer, and righteousness in the Jewish nation and its religious practices.
Questions:
- Mark's account of Jesus clearing the temple includes the story of the fig tree that He cursed. The tree looked good from a distance, but when it was inspected closely, it bore no fruit. It was worthless. Our lives can be this way. From a distance, things look neatly put together and everything is in its proper place. But upon closer inspection, our priorities can be out of order and our lives might not be producing the kind of fruit we would want. Is there a difference in your life between what people see from a distance and what God sees when He takes a look inside?
- As the commentary explains, the fig tree is also representative of Israel, that had turned away from God in favor of religious rituals and legalism. This is also a danger for today's believer. It is our tendency to drift towards ritual and duty and away from a daily, intimate relationship with Jesus. Instead of praying, spending time in the Word, growing in our relationship with God, we settle for church attendance and other religious duties that help make things appear the way they should. The result is that, from the outside, things look neatly in order. But on the inside, our hearts are far from God, much like the Pharisees of Jesus' day. Do you ever settle for religious duty instead of a vibrant, daily relationship with the Creator? How can you guard yourself against this slow, ugly slide?
Pray:
- That you would root yourself in Jesus, not just ritual.
- That you would do whatever necessary to continue to produce good fruit in your life.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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