False Advertising: It’s Time to Be Real

Matthew 21:19 KJV 1900

And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

This verse is pivotal, having two perspectives of meaning.

The perspective we are addressing today is one that highlights the problem of being a spiritual fake and falsely advertising who we are as children of God.

The passage reveals discrepancies between:

1. The advertisement and the actuality.

2. The picture and the package.

3. The promotion and the product.

Leading up to this verse, Jesus is confronted with 3 instances of fake-ness:

1. People saying hosanna. vv. 8-11

2. Temple filled with vices. vv. 12-13

3. Faithless religious leaders. vv. 14-15

Main Outline

1. Expectation of the Tree / Recognition v. 19a

a. Jesus “saw” - eido the tree and his perception of its potential raised his expectations.

b. God expects us to perform at the level of our God-given potential.

c. Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all things…”

2. Evaluation of the Tree / Review v. 19b

a. Jesus “found” - huerisko nothing on the tree he expected it to produce.

b. He only found leaves! 

3. Elimination of the Tree / Rejection v. 19c

a. Jesus “said” - lego (spoke) a word that exacted a penalty for not meeting the expectation of what was advertised. 

b. Matthew 5:13 - “Ye are the salt of the earth…”