Eight Days, Part 3: Tuesday With a Fig Tree

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

Monday morning on the way to clear the temple:
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. – Mark 11:12–14 (New Living Translation)

What you need to know:
Israeli fig trees bear fruit and then bear leaves.

This was the issue Jesus was addressing:
All leaves, no fruit.

Tuesday morning, a moment to pause:
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!” – Luke 12:20–21

The heart of Jesus: I want this to be you!
Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. – Matthew 3:10

¹⁵ Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.
¹⁶ You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. ¹⁹ So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. – Matthew 7:15-20

The heart of Jesus: I  this to be you!
I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. ³ You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. ⁴ Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

⁵ “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. ⁷ But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! ⁸ When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. – John 15:1-8

The heart of Jesus: This is I want this for you!
⁶ Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. ⁷ Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ ⁸ “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. ⁹ If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’” – Luke 13:6-9

The rest of the story:
²² Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. ²³ 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. ²⁴ I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. ²⁵ 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.”  – Mark 11:22–25

Three Types of Godly Fruit from Mark 11

1. Outrageous 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. 

2. Bold 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…

3. Intentional …first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Small Group Questions

1. What’s your favorite kind of fruit? Why?
2. What is your first impression of the fact that Jesus cursed a tree?
3. What’s your personal response to the statement, “All leaves, no fruit”. What do you believe Jesus is saying to you through this statement?
4. Read John 15:1-8 out loud. What is the heart of Jesus for your life? How do you stay connected to the vine?
5. What kind of fruit do you want to come out of your walk with Jesus? Where can you see evidence of it? If you are in a group setting, feel free to call out the fruit you see in another member’s life!
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?