When Fig Trees Stop Producing Figs

Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 11:12-25.

Jesus’ words to the fig tree on His way into Jerusalem on Monday of Holy Week serve to illustrate what He does in the temple that same day. The fig tree Jesus sees is not fulfilling its vocation of producing figs. Jesus speaks words of judgment upon that fig tree as a warning to unfaithful Israel who is not producing the fruit of faith He desires. That lack of faith is precisely what He finds in the temple, where a myriad of religious tourism has replaced the true purpose of the temple to preach Christ crucified. Jesus drives out this distraction and speaks concerning the true purpose of the temple, which He locates now in Himself. As the disciples see the reality of the judgment of the temple in the now-withered fig tree, Jesus encourages them in their faith. The building of the temple has been replaced by Jesus, to whom the faithful people of God pray and in whom they place their trust.

“The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel account, and he never lets up the pace. As one deed of Jesus comes right after another, always paired with His authoritative Word, St. Mark proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, revealed conclusively by His death on the cross.