Jesus’ Cursing of the Fig Tree

Introduction. Mark 11:12-14 This morning I’d like for us to look at this incident and consider why Jesus did this, and three things He was teaching in doing this.

I. Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree?

  1. Jesus was hungry (vs. 12). He shared our humanity. He experienced our physical weaknesses. It is within this context that the events of this chapter are played out.
  2. “Perhaps He would find something on it” (vs. 13). His humanity did not rob Him of His Divinity. At times Jesus does and says things as we would- in spite of the fact that He knows the outcome.
    1. Jesus knew there would be no figs.
    2. Jesus knew it was not the season for figs.
      1. Jesus knows all. (John 18:3,4; Luke 11:14-17).
      2. Everything He does has a purpose.
  3. This was not a “fit of anger.”

II. This was a lesson about bearing fruit.

  1. Cleansing the temple. (Mark 11:15-19). This was not a fit of anger either, but an example of Divine anger for the misuse and the failure to bear fruit. Jerusalem and the temple itself, would soon be cursed like the fig tree. (Matthew 23:37-24:2).

III. This was a lesson about faith in God. (Mark 11:20-23). What is a fig tree to the Creator of all things? Jesus demonstrated to these men who walked with Him (and to us indirectly) that what He says, he means.

  1. We don’t see it that way. We speak with little thought.
    1. Promises. (Matthew 5:33-37).
    2. Marriage vows. (Matthew 6:31-32).
    3. Gossip. (James 4:11).
    4. Cursing. (James 3:10).
  2. When Deity speaks-It means what it says! (Numbers 23:19). We need to learn this and respect it. The withered fig tree showed the disciples (and us) this in a dramatic way.
  3. When the Lord promises things to us-He means what He says! Note: vs. 22 “Have faith in God.”
    1. This is about what God can do, not about some special powers we can have.
    2. When God says:
      • “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16) we don’t have to understand it, but we must believe it.
      • “Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). We must believe it!
      • “Do not worry about your life. What you will eat or what you will drink” (Matthew 6:25) We must have faith that God means what He says and believe!

IV. This was a lesson about prayer. (Mark 11:24-26).

  1. If Jesus can speak and things happen-If He promises to care for us, and to do what He says-What can our attitude be when we talk to Him in prayer?
  2. We must have faith we will receive what we ask. (James 1:5,6; Matthew 7:7-11).
    1. We must ask in light of spiritual goals (James 4:2,3).
    2. We receive in accoradance with God’s will (I John 5:14,15).
  3. We must have proper attitudes when we pray. (Mark 11:25-26).
    1. “Anything against anyone” - forgive him (vs. 25). No mention of repentance-unlike (Luke 17:3).
      1. In Mark Jesus is dealing with an attitude which desires reconciliation.
      2. Repentance may not always occur-or be possible, but our attitude must one that does not “hold it against” another person.
      3. Improper attitudes hurt us. (Galatians 5:13-15). “If you do not forgive...” (vs. 26). When we pray for forgiveness we will only receive it if we are willing to forgive others as we do so.