The Fig Tree

And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away. Matthew 21:19

 Passover, the feast at which Jesus was crucified and rose again, begins tomorrow.  So, this seems like a good time to confess that for years I thought that Jesus cursing the fig tree was random. It seemed totally unrelated to the narrative. I’m embarrassed by this because it is actually THE spiritual pivot point which opened the way of salvation for me and for you.

In context, Jesus entered Jerusalem as King and the whole city was stirred (the triumphal entry v. 10). Jesus’ entrance was a spiritual earthquake. The whole city stopped their preparations for the feast to see what would happen next. The people were hoping that Jesus, who was announcing Himself as King, would deliver them from the oppression of Roman. Instead, Jesus cleansed the Temple (v. 12), and reestablished prayer in the house of God (v. 14). So, instead of delivering them from physical oppression, Jesus was (and IS!) offering them freedom from spiritual oppression.

Many individuals accepted Jesus’ freedom. The blind and lame came to Him in the temple (v. 14). He opened their eyes (salvation) and healed their walk (sanctification).  But the chief priests and the scribes, who represented the nation as a whole, were indignant (v. 15). Israel, as a nation had not recognized their visitation (Luke 19:44).

Individuals will come to Jesus, but the nation as a whole is the disobedient son in the parable of the two sons (v. 28-32). Worse yet, they are the wicked vine growers who killed the son in the parable of the landowner (v. 33-45).

The fig tree also represents the nation of Israel as a whole. Jesus declared that they would be unfruitful. This is the spiritual pivot where Israel’s branch on the olive tree was broken off and ours (gentiles) was grafted in (Rom. 11:7-36). Salvation had (and HAS!) come to us! Praise God!

I rejoice in the opportunity to share in the Kingdom of God. I am delighted to bear fruit for Him. Yet, I also pray for the nation of Israel.

God made a covenant with Israel that He will take away their sins (Rom. 11:27). The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable (Rom. 11:29). In God’s perfect timing, the eyes of the nation of Israel will be opened, and they will mourn over Him whom they pierced (Zec.12:10). Together we (Jews and Gentiles) will be that “one new man” that Jesus is creating for Himself (Eph. 2:15). How Jesus must yearn for that day. Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Hints of the Secret

Here’s the secret: The gospel of grace has made you, non-Jewish believers, into coheirs of His promise through your union with Him. And you have now become members of His body – one with the Anointed One! Ephesians 3:6 TPT

With the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the secret is out. God intended, from eternity past, to redeem and resurrect ALL peoples through His only Son, Jesus Christ. “ALL peoples” in the vernacular of the Bible is “Jews and Gentiles.” Yet, throughout the whole Old Testament there are hints of the secret. And this week I have found a fascinating one.

The first instance of anyone being raised from the dead, in all of scripture, is the only son of a widowed woman (1 Kings 17). Because there were no jobs for women in ancient society, this son had been her only salvation. Elijah, the prophet, prayed, and God resurrected her only son! Obviously, this is a picture of God resurrecting His only Son for our salvation. But it is also a hint that God intends to save ALL peoples, not just the Jews. The hint lies in the fact that this widow, whose only son was raised from the dead, is a Gentile, not a Jew.

The next instance of resurrection from the dead is also an only son (2 Kings 4). This time the son belongs to a Jewish woman. God had given her this son as a demonstration of His grace and provision since her husband was old and she had no other children. Alas, the son died, leaving her no hope. This time it is Elisha, the prophet, who prayed for the resurrection of the dead. Again, this is a picture of Jesus, God’s only Son, being raised for our hope and salvation.

These two instances of “only sons” being raised from the dead are a strong hint at the secret (or mystery) of God. The resurrection of the “only Son” is the hope for both Gentiles and Jews. God desires that ALL peoples come to salvation!

I am reminded that Jesus’ first dead-raising was also the “only son” of a poor widow (Luke 7:11). God seems keen that we should get this message; He has repeated it three times! We are bankrupt and hopeless without God’s Only Son. Jesus is our salvation! Thank You, Father, for saving us through Your “Only Son!” Amen and amen!!