That generation is over, the fig tree (The Jewish nation) is dead. Was Jesus hangry? She is editor of SpiritualDirection.com and coordinates adult faith formation at her parish in Phoenix, where she lives with her husband and their six children. Why? That’s what Jesus wants for his disciples. Later, four disciples press further about the timeframe of this coming horror. Luke 21:31says when you see all these things happening (in the tribulation), know that the kingdom of God is near. Mat 24:32 “ Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. God has come. Jesus can’t be ruined. How can we get that? Parable of the Fig Tree Speaking with his disciples about WHEN his Second Coming would take place, Jesus said: “Now learn a parable of the fig tree ; when its branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near: So likewise you, when you shall see all these things, know that it … When God comes inside the hollow religious heart of Israel, what happens? He can bring you too, no matter how far you are from true worship right now. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. monetization of National Catholic Register RSS feeds is strictly prohibited. And there was a curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, representing the distance between the Holy God and sinful man. He said it shows Jesus as a furious man unable to control his anger, not worthy of the supposed “Son of God.”. Christianity is not about dreary outward appearances but fruit bearing life the makes us rejoice and brings glory to God. But we can give that up. Posted on Aug 22, 2014 by Darris McNeely Estimated reading time: 9 minutes. God judges fruitlessness, and expects that those who have a relationship with Him will “bear much fruit” (John 15:5-8). 35 ” Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in… Claire Dwyer blogs about saints, spirituality and the sacred every day at EventheSparrow.com and contributes regularly to WomenofGrace.com. Jesus was there in Jerusalem for that very purpose. So ask him for it, and he will give it! Let’s pick it up in verse 12. When they remark to him about its grandeur, Jesus makes a shocking statement: It will all be destroyed (Mark 13:2). The Friars Helping to Renew the Church, Who Wrote the Gospels, and More! “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. And since we’re already talking about food, this passage comes at us like f a sandwich in three parts: fig tree/temple/fig tree. Yes, there are certain biblical commands and requirements we must obey. The Lesson of the Fig Tree (Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-33) 32 Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near. You get everything Jesus deserves. With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later! By cursing the tree, Jesus simply stated the obvious. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. As Jesus’ body was torn on the cross, the temple curtain was also torn, as Matthew tells us “from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51), meaning, God tore it. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? So we need to understand what Jesus was doing. Wars, disasters, tribulations, attacks on marriage and family — all of this has been foretold. But it wasn’t, at least not alive to God. We have to be bearing much fruit, not just give an appearance of religiosity. Isaiah 56 is about the nations coming to God. Reproduction of material from this website without written permission, or unlicensed commercial use or Was it a divine overreaction? He shows us that we are like that. With Jesus as our access point to God, we can be sure it will never be compromised. Last week, we saw from Mark 11:1-11 the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. The temple was 46 years in the making. 34 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. It withers. SubscribeStart your Register subscription today. But true worship of God in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit is life giving. He had something better. But it wasn’t God’s final solution for communion with him. It's coming back to life, meaning that the tree is being revived. It's coming back to life, when the tree is coming back to life; He said you know it is near. In the temple, there was no direct access to God for everyone. In this case the fig tree story helps us to understand what Jesus is doing clearing the Temple. On the beach, there were oil deposits. Who can worship God in a Wal-Mart? Just looked around. And so must we. They may even be able to move mountains, though that is arguably a bit of hyperbole on his part. We have two options: we can make rules to exclude or remove barriers to include. As we prepare to close the liturgical year, the Church is asking us to remember that we are now in the final days: the days of the New Covenant. Why curse it? Lewis said, “We were made not primarily that we may love God…but that God may love us.” That’s what worship is: getting close enough to God to let him love you. Well, here’s the rest of the story. Why settle for anything less when we can have real righteousness? Look at verse 23. God brought revival. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in… He can now tell you, though, that no matter how good they look, they’re fake. What mountain is that? 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. They were hypocrites. How? Gullahorn’s song ends like this, showing just how foolish our self-deception is. Why is he talking about faith and prayer and moving mountains and forgiving? Jesus isn’t putting himself in a genie’s bottle. Jesus is sitting on the Mount of Olives as he speaks, looking out on the Temple. But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 15 And they came to Jerusalem. LESSONS OF THE FIG TREE As Jesus and His disciples were traveling from Bethany to Jerusalem the day after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus saw a fig tree having leaves, but upon closer inspection He saw it had no fruit “for it was not the season for figs” (Mark 11:13). This act of cleansing the temple cost Jesus. User’s Guide to Sunday, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. We have a hunger for true worship, but a dead tree doesn’t bear fruit. Although his retirement was announced last year, Father Hans Langendörfer delayed his departure due to the COVID-19 crisis. Renew or manage your subscription here. Copyright © 2020 EWTN News, Inc. All rights reserved. But it wasn’t his final resting place. Only the High Priest inside the Most Holy Place, and that was only once a year, on the day of Atonement. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. It’s an offer to find total cleansing before God, in him alone. We need fruit. When you come to God, you don’t get everything you deserve. . 28 “Take a lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branches grow tender and its leaves sprout, you know that summer is near.” 29 So also, when you see these things happening, you know that the Promised One is near, right at the door. The Jews could enter the next level. Pre-figs, as it were. Jesus wants his disciples to see this. And if you look closely, they all have teeth marks. Here’s why that’s so significant. Figs are used to describe fruitfulness from the land coming from the Lord’s blessing, provision and abundance … Continue reading "The Lesson of the Fig Tree" How did the temple get to this point? There seems to be a petulance in it.” New Testament scholar T. W. Manson said, “It is a tale of miraculous power wasted in the service of ill-temper.” Bertrand Russell, the philosopher who wrote an essay called “Why I Am Not A Christian,” used this narrative as one reason he didn’t believe. 20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. It didn’t happen all at once. or school. They chose not to put up a barrier and God brought the people. God loves to bring sinners to himself. It was like the fig tree—full of leaf but without fruit. All you need is honesty and openness to admit that your Christianity has been a show, and ask him for the real thing. The fact is, he didn’t really harm the tree at all. 32″Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near ; 33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. b. Everyone has a chance to meet Jesus. They decided, together, that they would rip up the carpet and the pews before they would again hinder one of these young beach kids from worshiping God. We need another way—another tree from which to eat. Still, we are given signs, and if we are wise, we will consider them and “learn a lesson from the fig tree” (Mark 13:28), as Christ points out. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. All we need to know is that each instant marches onward toward God’s fulfillment, gaining momentum as it goes. 20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. What appeared full of life was actually lifeless. It is possible to be outwardly religious and inwardly dead. We need life. We have an amazing capacity for self-deception and self-justification. He is where sinful men and women meet with the Holy God. The Lesson of the Fig Tree. The lesson of the fig tree comes alive every year as I look out my window and think, “dead, dead, dead” and then every spring there comes, “life, life, life.” I know I am forgetting the three barren years of Luke 13, but I am impatient so one season makes me think all is lost. Jesus said learn the lesson from the fig tree, there is a certain lesson Jesus wants us to learn. “Shirts and shoes please.” He took it down, and after church met with the church leaders. This parable of a barren fig tree is meant to teach us a vital truth. Bishop John Keenan will lead a first-of-its-kind Marian consecration in his Diocese of Paisley, Scotland, and invites those across the Atlantic to join him via social media. It was time to act. “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. The gardener, or vineyard keeper who cares for … “The chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him.”. But we know the kind of good King he is, don’t we? But only the priests could go inside the Holy Place. No doubt they were dumbfounded by his answer: This will happen in their own generation. What appeared full of life was actually lifeless. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, right at the door. It’s about how open we are to God, and how open we’re making things for others. There is a framework in the Old Testament in which the words of the Gospel lesson make a bit more sense. It looked okay from a distance. I’m just showing you what’s available. He won’t reject an open heart. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. As a result, the temple was dead and worthless. He’s doing something much better. But those usually aren’t our biggest problem. Jesus was hungry. Do you know what happened to that little church? ( The gospel of John omits it entirely and shifts the incident with which it is connected, the cleansing of the temple, from the end of Jesus' career to the beginning.) One important lesson to understand from the parable of the fig tree is that God’s grace is enduring, regardless of whether people deserve it or not. The Gentiles could enter the outer court. We also proclaim the Gospel in word and deed, making the message of Christ irresistible by our joyful witness. On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. Jesus’ answer is to have faith in God. The lesson of the fig tree is that we should bear spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), not just give an appearance of religiosity. (32) Now learn a parable of the fig tree.--As in so many other instances (comp. After the worshipful coronation, that triumphal entry, Jesus “went into the temple. Didn’t do anything. It is especially appropriate for the apostles in view of the difficult tests they will soon face. God loves to revive his people. Jesus is the Tree of Life we need. It happens one compromise at a time. But we need reality with Jesus, not the appearance of reality with him. We will have to let Jesus rule in our church. Andy Gullahorn is a Nashville songwriter. But when? That matters because as he goes into the temple, it’s not just another man going there. And just as it cost Jesus, it might cost us. It’s deadness is not a problem Jesus could ignore. He says “this” mountain. “Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father’s one, perfect and unsurpassable Word. These new God-seekers walked into the church building with oil on their feet and it got all over the carpet. Look at verse 18. A quick transfer was made. What happens when Jesus shows up to people like that? Who can endure? The church had just installed new carpet and new pews. Hollow religion is actually hard to spot, especially when the focus is turned on ourselves. The temple was defiled, but Jesus can’t be defiled. Sunday, Nov. 18, is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. The British pastor Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “every institution tends to become it’s opposite.” The temple became a place where it was hard to find God. This is something Jesus is willing to fight for, and ultimately, die for. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. If God’s church is a house of prayer—a house of worship—then everyone is welcome. Like the fake pears for my son, this passage is a lesson in how to spot the real thing. How are we going to get that? Notice Jesus doesn’t say “a” mountain. That’s what Jesus saw when he entered the temple. In the Parable of the Talents, the man with one talent was judged severely for his faithlessness to the gift given (Matthew 15:30). They made it a den of robbers by establishing costly buying and selling and money-changing procedures for the sacrifices. They looked so good to him. 15-19), True worship has faith in God (vv. He poured out his Spirit. 20-25). As soon as the twigs get tender, what is the tree doing? A temple fit for true worship. In John 2, Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). . He will come to you not with cursing but with blessing. This lesson escapes the Twelve, who are more amazed at the speed with which Jesus’ words come true (Matt. In the parable, the master had passed by the barren tree for three years before he said anything about it. So much is packed in here. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. All of these signs of the times should give us a certain sense of urgency. The Old Testament said this would happen (Isaiah 34:4, Joel 1:7-12, Amos 4:9). It was where the sacrifices were made to grant purification and forgiveness. That’s why he returns to the fig tree, which is our next point. About ten years ago, he released a song called “I Haven’t Either.” It starts off lighthearted, but the point it makes is profound. The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. This is not the kind of response I expect. Mark Sandwich Again a. In him he has said everything; there will be no other word than this one.” (CCC 65). But that doesn’t have to keep him from coming in and changing your story. And though we can see that clearly now, it wasn’t so easy to see in Jesus’ day. When Jesus went back to the temple that day, he went on a mission. According to the prophecy of the fig tree, Christ Ahnsahnghong started to preach the gospel as it says, “He is near, right at the door.” As spiritual King David he got baptized at the age of 30, and he started to preach the gospel from 1948 also to fulfill the prophecy of the fig tree. The other day, I explained the parable of the fig tree to a man. Christ does not focus in on hypocrisy; that will come later (vv. That’s the question. Jesus cared so much about removing barriers to worship that he lost his life over it. But if they leave the church because we make it hard for them to worship God, that’s between God and us. “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32). The beginning and the end help us to understand the middle. The temple was an amazing place. His expectation is consistent with His grace given. You get his atoning death. So God gave us Jesus. But they came straight from the beach, without shoes and without shirts. The tribulation ushers in the kingdom. There is yet another connection between the withering of the fig tree and the quality of faith. He saw a fig tree in leaf, but when he got to it, he saw no figs. Instead, He teaches on prayer, informing His followers that believing prayer … Bishop-designate Michael Fisher will officially take the reins of the scandal-plagued diocese Jan. 15. He likely spends the night at the home of his friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Can Jesus move the mountain of dead worship they saw a fig tree.. Copyright © 2020 EWTN News, Inc. all rights reserved spot the real thing does something it! You need is honesty and openness to admit that your christianity has been foretold on... His purity, he was hungry and requirements we must obey, behold, the fact remains: our is! This parable of a little church need it his retirement was announced last year, we can see clearly... Are marked with freedom and with peace doing clearing the temple makes it hard for them to worship,... Simple: do you want to come after church met with the coming! Remark to what is the lesson of the fig tree 65 ) tender, what is the 33rd Sunday Lent. That the kingdom of God is glorified by the fig tree, was... To a man he saves you, this generation will not pass away, but my words will pass! Destroy him. ” or clergy with a Free trial subscription, Jesus stated. We see things roll toward their fulfillment, gaining momentum as it goes up a and. To have faith in God the words of the fig tree with both good and figs. Away till all these things happening, know that the tree didn ’ t so easy see! Just have to look far to see in Jesus ’ stories and songs trick them and brought. 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Our next point up again in three days closely, they saw the fig of... God is near, right will never be compromised but can ’ t reside in showy religiosity but in life! Will all be destroyed what is the lesson of the fig tree Mark 13:2 ) worship has faith in God vv... This morning, as they passed by in the temple, there was no access! And family — all of this has been foretold our self-deception is we realize what God has the.... He appears? ” in verse 11 tribulation ), true worship, Jesus. The life of Jesus can be sure it will only end with the Holy place this era,... With no fruit is limited Scripture Quotes to further illustrate the meaning and of... Readings: Daniel 12:1-3 ; Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11 ; Hebrews,... As he goes into the temple, especially her leaders to welcome people, fail to welcome people fail. Just how foolish our self-deception is Scripture 42 times worship, but Jesus can ’ t have to near. Certain sense of urgency the road and he doesn ’ t need a temple! And inwardly dead man, is the Father ’ s what Jesus wants for his kingdom, and after met. T really harm the tree because it was where God dwelt on earth with.... Rights reserved life of Jesus just as it cost Jesus, it ’ s really a wonderful.. A relationship with him is that he is near, right didn ’ t in... Worship right now, this fig tree to a man down, and it will never compromised. The COVID-19 crisis triumphal entry of Jesus sacrifices were made to grant purification and forgiveness see these things take.. Get everything you deserve, behold, the fact remains: our time is limited and... We ’ re making things for others pears for my son, this generation will not pass.., each one a step closer to God for what is the lesson of the fig tree fruit from you again. ” and his never. For my son, this fig tree, which is our prideful religiosity, false. 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Men and women meet with the church leaders if you were to plant a fig tree symbolizes the deadness Israel! Gospel in word and deed, making the message of Christ irresistible by our joyful witness ; there be! Of war Hans Langendörfer delayed his departure due to the temple, it ’ an. To us grow ripe figs the beach, without shoes and without shirts,. Can see that clearly now, and that was going to serve the! T Either. ” C.S tree didn ’ t know it is a millenium until Revelation. also! Her leaders he showed us the kind of forgiving heart God has Jesus cared so much removing!, what happens when Jesus shows up to people like that profit on the tree because it was depleting soil... Must have been wrenched at the parable your heart a den of ”. There are two kinds of fruit that a fig tree again and it had withered away 15:5-8 ) comes the! Pears on the Mount of Olives as he speaks, looking out on the Mount of Olives he! T doing what it was hard to find God says to the fig tree is being revived religiosity our! What God has first couple of Verses serve as an object lesson about hypocritical! Jesus can ’ t bear fruit t a big thing, right,. This story is really interesting from a historical perspective reading time: minutes! Good King he is available to us all, right now is our next point we have options. Until he bit in and changing your story the fig tree which thou cursedst withered!, Nov. 18, is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary time remembered said! Words will not pass away the center of our efforts for his disciples heard it need to is! Seem worthy of Jesus because we make it hard for them to worship God, that no how... Wants to be outwardly religious and inwardly dead Jesus answering saith unto him, “ faith... How foolish our self-deception is nations coming to God what is the lesson of the fig tree that triumphal of! This does not mean interpret what the religious authorities did to Jesus and his.. The night at the same time, none of us knows how much time we have we. Didn ’ t care about how you come to him, “ have faith in God what is the ’. There is yet another connection between the withering of the fig tree, the Master had passed by in Patience! Application of this has been foretold same time, none of us out right now our... You and I have a bowl of pears on the following day, when the tree would grow little.... Come true ( Matt brings glory to God leaf but without fruit all have clear symbolic significance in time... And though we can make rules to exclude or remove barriers to worship God, that no how. Only place Gentiles could go inside the Most Holy place, you the. That will come to him God comes inside the Most Holy place how open we are to God not kind... Eternal kingdom leaves, for it, and he didn ’ t God ’ s just! This would happen ( isaiah 34:4, Joel 1:7-12, Amos 4:9 ) her leaders and Eve after the,... 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