The Parable of the Fig Tree

Introduction

The fig tree is mentioned in several places in Scripture. We first see it in the Book of Genesis when its leaves were used as a covering after Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit. In Judges chapter 9, there is a fable in which the fig tree plays a part. However, the fig tree is probably most familiar in the stories related to Jesus. There were multiple lessons that Jesus taught concerning the fig tree. Luke tells a parable of a vineyard owner that had a fig tree that would not produce and the gardener begged the owner to keep it around a bit longer. Matthew and Mark tell of the time that Jesus went to the fig tree and it was bare so He cursed it. Our parable from Marks’ Gospel is about the signs the fig tree gives as it is preparing to bloom. There are many trees in Israel and Palestine. The almond tree blossoms in early spring. Olives, oaks, terebinths, and evergreens do not drop their leaves in the winter and cannot show the signs of the change of seasons. The fig tree however does lose its leaves in winter and buds in late spring. The illustration that Jesus uses about the fig tree here is quite meaningful. Listen carefully as I read from Mark 13.

Mark 13:28–31 NIV84

28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

There are several interpretations of this passage and scholars debate its true meaning. One can get lost in the debate easily but I see that there a few things we can learn outside the debate that are applicable to us today. Notice first the present warning.

The Present Warning (vs. 28-29)

Settings

The setting of this parable in Mark’s Gospel is in the midst of many signs the Jesus mentions. The disciples have left the temple and as they are walking away, one of them says, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” Jesus replies, “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” This troubles Peter, James, John and Andrew so they ask Him when this will happen and what signs will there be? Jesus goes on to tell of wars and rumors of wars.

Situations

He tells of situations of nations rising against nations, earthquakes, famines and persecution. He tells them of families in turmoil. While describing this, Jesus quotes verbatim from Daniel’s prophecy: Mark 13:14

Mark 13:14 NIV84

14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

The “abomination that causes desolation” is when there is no longer any reverence for the things of God. Luke 21:20

Luke 21:20 NIV84

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.

We certainly know that the Romans destroyed the temple and would make sacrifices of pigs on the altar to infuriate the Jews.

The great theological debate here is whether this is the sign of the end times or the Fall of Jerusalem that took place in 70 AD. I tend to think it is about both. The initial conversation had Jesus telling the disciples of the destruction of the temple and we know from history that the Romans certainly did that as we have mentioned in 70 AD. We also know from history that there was a time when the people of Judea did flee into the caves of the mountains and the Roman pursuit of them was horrendous and their treatment was gruesome. But we also know that these things will take place in the end times as well. Christians will be greatly persecuted and many false prophets and false messiahs will appear leading many people astray. We don’t have time to argue which is true because I honestly do not think anyone can actually know. But what we can know, is that there will be signs of all this taking place.

2 Timothy 3:1–5 NIV84

1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

Signs

The signs that Jesus describes are likened to the fig tree getting ready to bud and blossom. It is a call to watchfulness and a call that compels us to experience spiritual and moral growth. We must be watchful and ready. The fig tree shows signs that it is getting ready to produce. It tells us about the nearness so we need to prepare ourselves to be a holy people.

Romans 13:12 NIV84

12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Philippians 4:5 NIV84

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Hebrews 10:25 NIV84

25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

James 5:8–9 NIV84

8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

All of these verses tell us to get ready. We are to become holy people because we will face a prolific weariness.

The Prolific Weariness (vs. 29-30)

Jesus reminds us that the signs will be sure just like that fig tree budding and blossoming. We can count on it and we can be sure it will happen. But as we become more holy, we can face this weariness in a better and stronger way.

Struggles

The struggles we will face and are facing now are intense.

Strife

The strife will also be intense.

Skirmishes

Skirmishes will break out in families, in kingdoms and nations against nations. How are we to respond this? I think we need to go back to verse 28 of our text today. Jesus simply said, “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree.” What is the lesson?

The Persistent Way (vs. 28)

The lesson is we need to focus on the persistent way. What is that mean? It means we need to follow Jesus so closely that we bud, bloom and blossom in His goodness, grace, love and mercy.

Steadfast

We need to be steadfast. We don’t know when that time is coming, but we need to be ready. In verse 28, Jesus says “Learn the lesson.” There is so much in that phrase we skip over. Learning is a process. It is a time of growth. We don’t magically get to the point we need to be but we go through a process. The Greek word for learn is MANTHANO. It means to go through the process by using and practicing in order to learn. If we are steadfast in learning about the ways of Jesus, we will be fixed in the direction of where He is.

Hebrews 12:2 NIV84

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We have already seen there there will be struggles, strife and skirmishes. Jesus promised these things! He also promised us that He has already overcome!

1 John 5:4 NIV84

4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

We just have to be steady in our learning!

Steady

We tend to be “event-Christians” today instead of “process-Christians.” We think that an event like a revival or special meeting or a 6-week Bible study will be enough for what we need. Some people think that if they go to church on Christmas and Easter or even once a month, everything is hunky dory. In reality, Jesus has called us to follow Him daily!

Luke 9:23 NIV84

23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Do you worship on Monday the way you do here on Sunday? What about Saturday? We are called to be persistent in our walk. When the hills and valleys happen in our lives, and they will happen, we can walk through them much easier if we have already been steady in our walk! Honestly, we have to come to a point where we are down right stubborn in our faith.

Stubborn

If we are persistent in our faith, we will know that our faith does not save us from hard times and difficult experiences. In fact, we can be assured that the glory of faith in Christ is that we are not saved from these hard time and difficult experiences but we are saved in them!

Philippians 2:12 NIV84

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

We are to be slow cookers not microwaves! Which would you rather have, a microwave dinner or a crockpot meal? Our God is capable of changing us instantaneously, but He chooses to grow and nurture us slowly! Jesus talked about the budding process of this fig tree. It takes time and in His time to do what it is designed to do. You and I need to grow through seasons as well. As we do, we need to trust the passionate wisdom.

The Passionate Wisdom (vs. 31)

Mark 13:31 NIV84

31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Sure

The Word of our Lord to sure. There is no doubt in it. There is no wrong in it.

Psalm 33:4 NIV84

4 For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

Because our God is right and true and faithful, we can be assured His ways are solid.

Solid

Matthew 7:23–27 NIV84

23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Stable

There are so many things in the world that we cannot count on and we cannot stand firm. There is instability in our government, in our land, and even in our communities. But thanks be to God, the can stand firm on His word and we can place our trust in Him.

Colossians 1:23 NIV84

23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

We can live for Jesus and ultimately have Victory in Jesus!