Day 14

Mark 10-11

Have you ever wondered why Jesus cursed the fig tree that had no fruit on when it wasn't the season for figs? Jesus critics look at this incident as an apparent contradiction. However, there is a prefect explanation for Jesus' actions. You can find this story in Mark 11. Remember, Jesus is dealing with religious leaders who were mostly concerned with external performance or outward appearances.

Sure the time of year was spring and it was not the season for ripe figs. Jesus was hungry and He obviously understood when the right time of the year was to find food on a tree. After all, He did create the fig tree. Also, He knew people's thoughts and intentions without them saying a word. Surely He could determine a tree had no fruit on it from a distance. It's clear that Jesus was trying to make a statement with the tree.

The fig tree had every appearance of health with it's green leaves. However, upon closer inspection by Jesus there was absolutely no sign of potential fruit for this tree. There would have been small buds to eat but more importantly the buds would prove a new crop of figs in a few months. The absence of these buds showed Jesus there was no hope for fruit that year.

Now to my point. Sometimes we have a tendency to focus on our outward appearance rather than what fruit our lives are producing. Jesus was very unhappy with the hypocrite fig tree. How do you think He feels about our lives when our outward appearance indicates health and our lives are producing no fruit. The battle against hypocrisy must be a constant fight if we are intent on pleasing Christ.