The Bridge - “Bearing Fruit” - Luke 13:6-9

Mark 11:12–14 KJV 1900

12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Chapter 11

At first sight, this is a puzzling miracle. Passover was not the season for figs, yet the Son of God had hoped to find fruit on the tree. When He did not find any, He used His divine power to destroy the tree instead of helping it to become fruitful. Actually, the whole episode was a sermon in action. The tree represents the nation of Israel (Hos. 9:10, 16; Nahum 3:12), which was producing no fruit to the glory of God. Its spiritual roots were dead (v. 20; Matt. 3:10), and it could not produce fruit.

But Jesus also used the miracle to teach His disciples some practical lessons about faith and prayer. Mountains represent great difficulties that must be removed (Zech. 4:7), and it is our faith in God that enables us to overcome. But faith in God is not enough; we must also have forgiveness toward others (vv. 25–26). We do not earn God’s forgiveness by forgiving others, but forgiving others shows that we have a humble heart before God.

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Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Chapter 21

I. Three Signs Concerning Israel (21:1–22)

A. Presentation of the King (vv. 1–11).

This was in fulfillment of Zech. 9:9. Matthew omitted “just and having salvation” when he quoted Zechariah, because Christ will not come with justice and salvation (victory) for Israel until He returns in Rev. 19:11–21, riding a white horse. John 12:17–18 indicates that many in the great crowd were there because of the raising of Lazarus. The crowd quoted Ps. 118:26 in its praises; later (v. 42) Christ would quote from that same psalm to refute the leaders. Note in v. 11 that the city called Him “the prophet” but not the King! Unfortunately, the Jews “did not know the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:41–44, NKJV) and rejected their King.

B. Purifying of the temple (vv. 12–16).

Israel’s inward corruption is seen by the way the temple had become a house of merchandise. The first cleansing at the start of Christ’s ministry (John 2) did not last, for the leaders’ hearts were not changed. Christ quoted Isa. 56:7 and called the temple “My house” (v. 13), thus claiming to be God. He also referred to Jer. 7:11. Later, Christ would say, “Your house is left unto you desolate” (Matt. 23:38; emphasis mine); for having rejected their King, Israel now had an empty temple. When accused by the leaders, Christ quoted Ps. 8:2, which is a messianic psalm (see Heb. 2:5–9) pointing to the time when Christ will reign on earth as the King.

C. Cursing the fig tree (vv. 17–22).

Matthew 24:32–33 and Luke 13:6–10 suggest that the fig tree pictures Israel. This tree had leaves but not fruit, picturing Israel with its outward “show of religion” but its fruitlessness. Luke 13:6–10 indicates that God gave Israel three years in which to bring forth fruit, but the nation failed. Christ uses the miracle as a lesson in faith, suggesting that it was Israel’s unbelief that brought about her judgment. How easy it is to have “a form of godliness” (2 Tim. 3:5) but never bear any fruit! Many counterfeit Christians will hear Christ’s “Depart from Me, you cursed” (Matt. 25:41) because they had “nothing … but leaves” (v. 19).

In these three signs, then, Christ reveals Israel’s spiritual blindness, her inward corruption, and her outward fruitlessness.

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1. Jesus Speaks Directly to Motives

a. Ego stroked

b. false

Apparently Pilate, the Roman administrator, had some religious pilgrims from Galilee executed as they came to the temple to offer sacrifices, probably at one of the three annual Jewish festivals—perhaps Passover. We know nothing more about the incident, but it was fresh in the memory of religious Jews. Perhaps such an outrage might bring God’s Messiah to deliver his people.

2. Jesus Spells Out how to Experience Change

REPENT.

3. Jesus Explained the Current Culture

4. Jesus Reminds us

Internationally and historically, killing is the predominant method of choice to make the world a better place. It is the easiest, quickest, and most efficient way by far to clear the ground for someone or something with more promise. The Manure Story interrupts our noisy, aggressive problem-solving mission. In a quiet voice the parable says, "Hold on, not so fast. Wait a minute. Give me some more time. Let me put some manure on this tree." Manure?

Manure is not a quick fix. It has no immediate results—it is going to take a long time to see if it makes any difference. If it's results that we are after, chopping down a tree is just the thing: we clear the ground and make it ready for a fresh start. We love beginning: birthing a baby, christening a ship, the first day on a new job, starting a war. But spreading manure carries none of that exhilaration. It is not dramatic work, not glamorous work, not work that gets anyone's admiring attention. Manure is a slow solution. Still, when it comes to doing something about what is wrong in the world, Jesus is known for his fondness for the minute, the invisible, the quiet, the slow—yeast, salt, seeds, light. And manure.

Manure does not rank high in the world's economies. It is refuse. Garbage. We organize efficient and sometimes elaborate systems to collect it, haul it away, get it out of sight and smell. But the observant and wise know that this apparently dead and despised waste is teeming with life—enzymes, numerous microorganisms. It's the stuff of resurrection.