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Cursing the Fig Tree
Matthew 21:18-19 “In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.”
Why Curse the Tree?
Scholars debate the exact reason but it would appear, that just as Jesus cleansed the temple to purify it, signifying the purpose of the temple (e.g. worship and prayer), he cursed the fig tree to highlight the importance of bearing fruit in His kingdom. The tree looked fruitful from a distance, but a close examination revealed no fruit.
Are we like the fig tree?
Do we look vibrant and healthy spiritually, but bear no fruit?
The Power of Faith
Matthew 21:20-22 “When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, ‘How did the fig tree wither at once?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”