The Curse of the Fig Leaves

"I will take away their harvest, declares the Lord.

There will be no grapes on the vine.

There will be no figs on the tree, and their leaves will wither.

What I have given them will be taken from them."

Jeremiah 8:13

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The Curse of the Fig Leaves

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit . When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." and his disciples hear him say it.

On reaching Jesusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changes and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written:

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"My house will be called

a house of prayer for ALL NATIONS.

But you have made it a den of robbers."

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The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

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When evening came, they went out of the city. In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!"

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"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:1-26

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Now here's the rest of the story... that is soon to come

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Signs of the Lord's Return

Jesus tells his disciples that "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and preplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faith from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

Then Jesus told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourself and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

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Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple. Luke 21:25-38

Take Away Points to Consider

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When Jesus entered the temple the week of the Passover Feast; He said to the people "Is it not written that "My House will be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you have made it a den of robbers." When you worship do you attend a "house of prayer" or a marketplace that sells faith for profit?

In his letter to the Corinthians Paul writes: "Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men (and women) sent from God." (2 Cor 2:17)

"Don't fall in love with money. Be satisified with what you have. The Lord promised that he will not leave us or desert us." Hebrews 13:5

The Gospel of Luke records that Jesus told his disciples to keep a constant watch for his return. Although nearly 2,000 years have passed since he spoke these words, their truth remains: Christ is coming again, and we need to watch and be spiritually fit. This means working faithfully at the tasks God has given to us that will bear fruit. "Don't let your mind and spirit be dulled by careless living, drinking, or the foolish pursuit of pleasure. Don't let life's anxieties overburden you, so that you will not be ready to move at God's command. "

"But there were also FALSE PROPHETS among the people, just as there will be FALSE TEACHERS among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them --bring SWIFT destruction on themselves. Many will follow shameful WAYS and will bring the way of TRUTH into disrepute. In their GREED these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping." (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Here are several other references to fig leaves ..."All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky will roll up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree. " (Isaiah 34:4).

"I (Jesus) am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while ever branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. (John 15: 1-2)

"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. Eve gave some to her husband, who was with her, and Adam ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves." (Gen 3:6-7)

Pastor Solomon Gopualu of Durban South Africa writes: Excessive and dry leaves speak of a religious and traditional system. Religiosity makes burnt offerings and sacrifices more of a ritual than it being done in true repentance and devotion. The fig leaves only covered the nakedness of Adam and Eve but did not deliver them from being naked. Religion concentrates more on the outward expression rather than an inward change."