FIVE LESSONS FROM THE STORY OF THE FIG TREE- Mark 11:12-21 Luke 13:6-9

The Book of Mark 11:12-21 revealed the story of a fig tree that was cause for not bearing fruits. The book of Luke 13:6-9 tells the story of another fig tree that didn’t produce but wasn’t caused nor cut down. There are several lessons to note from the stories of the fig trees.

1. Bearing Fruits: (Mark 11:12-21) Believers are likened to a tree (read Jeremiah 17:8, Psalms 1:3) that ought to produce another of their own kind. That is, a believer producing another believer. We are designed to bear fruits of our own kind. Jesus was displeased when He got to the fig tree and found no fruit on it. Believers are soldiers of Christ and are our mandate is to win souls for Christ. It is not enough to be a Christian and a churchgoer, you must bear fruits. John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

2. Fruitlessness Brings Divine Judgment: John 15:2a Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away. The Lord Jesus caused the fig tree because of it fruitlessness. Jonah faced divine judgment because he refused to preach the gospel; he refused to bear fruits. When we don’t bear fruits we are open to the judgment of the Lord. Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

3. Physical Appearance is Deceitful: Prov 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain. Jesus saw from afar that the fig tree had leaves, so He thought it would have fruits but found none. In respect to humans, it is hard to tell of someone’s character by the looks; you have to move closer to them to know who they really are. Thus, it is wrong to judge people based on their physical appearance and outward behavior. This is why the Lord’s Judgment and reward is based on the intents of our hearts. Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

4. You need an Advocate: Luke 13:6-9 The fig tree in this chapter would have been cut down if the dresser wasn’t there as an advocate for the tree. So many have missed their breakthrough because there was no advocate available at the specific time; an advocate can be a helper that would do all things necessary to ensure you produce fruits, just like the vineyard dresser in the bible passage. Howbeit, the supreme advocate between man and God is the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself so that through Him, we can come to the Father. So, above all, you need the Lord Jesus Christ in your life.

5. God is a God of second chance: After the dresser advocated for the fig tree, the fig tree was granted a second chance to bear fruits. If you are believer and not bearing fruits, I pray the Lord will not cut you off but would grant you a second chance to do that which you are expected to do, which is to “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” Matthew 3:8.

If you will like to receive Jesus into your life please pray this prayer. “Father I acknowledge that I am a sinner, that Jesus died for me, that you raised Him from the dead. Father please forgive me. I accept Jesus today as my Lord and Savior. Amen”