Why the Fig-Tree Was Cursed.
By W. N. Glenn
It is recorded in Mark 11:13, 14, that Jesus, “seeing a fig-tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon; and when he came to it he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever.” In the 20th verse, we find that “in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig-tree dried up from the roots.” Skeptics are wont to criticise adversely the act of Jesus in cursing the tree, and charge him with “inconsistency” in expecting to find fruit before the proper season. In fact, some who do not claim to be skeptical have expressed surprise at this act of our Lord, and were disposed to characterize it as a “fit of passion.” But those who are acquainted with the nature of the fig-tree will readily comprehend the summary judgment passed, and the lesson to be drawn from the example. In the spring the fruit of this tree appears before the leaves are put forth, and if, on the occasion above alluded to, “the time of figs was not yet,” then the leaving of the tree was premature. If the tree was fully leaved, it was not unreasonable to seek fruit thereon; and if it was of that barren variety that makes great show and produces nothing, the act of deadening it, that it might not prove a deception to others, was proper. However, the importance of the event comes to us in the form of an impressive lesson on the subject of hypocrisy. If the great Judge of all the earth would thus blast a simple fig-tree for making a false show and producing no fruit, what may professed Christians expect whose lives are based upon the same principle? It will be no small matter to spread our pretentious Christian leaves to attract public attention, and let the Lord of the harvest find us at last barren of fruit. Such leaves will no more screen our barrenness from the scrutinizing judgment of the Lord than did the fig-leaf garment of Adam and Eve hide their nakedness from his piercing glance. W. N. GLENN.