Leaves but No Fruit

Matthew 21:18-19

Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 19 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.

Jesus spent the night in Bethany, which was about two miles outside of Jerusalem. He probably woke up early and skipped breakfast so He could pray, as He would often do. After walking a couple miles to Jerusalem, He became hungry and saw a fig tree along the side of the road. This type of fig tree normally produced leaves only when it bore fruit. It showed the signs of bearing fruit, but upon closer inspection, it had none. This is what upset Jesus and why He cursed it. Throughout the Old Testament, Israel is represented by a fig tree. It was no coincidence that the tree was cursed for not bearing fruit just prior to Israel’s rejection of their Messiah. The sign of the withered fig tree foretold what would happen to the Jewish nation. Their lack of spiritual fruit caused the nation to be destroyed in AD 70, and they would never again bear fruit as a nation for the kingdom of God.

Jesus used His personal experience to teach us an important lesson. Everything has a purpose. If something does not fulfill its purpose, then it is good for nothing. God created fruit trees to bear fruit. A fruit tree without fruit is good for nothing except to be cut down and thrown in a fire. God created you with a purpose too. You have been created to bear spiritual fruit. Do not simply put on an external religious show when there is no real fruit in your life. If you do, then you are no different than this fig tree with leaves and no fruit. A fig tree with leaves shows it is no longer dormant; it should be full of life and fruit. What does your spiritual life look like? Is it like a tree with neither leaves nor fruit? Is it like the tree in this story with an outward appearance of fruitfulness but produces nothing? Or is your spiritual life vibrant with both leaves and plenty of fruit? Don’t let your spiritual life consist of just outward trappings with no substance or life. In John 15:5, Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Therefore, abide in Christ so your fruit will abound. Without Him, you can produce only leaves but no fruit.