Matthew 21:18-22
The Fig Tree Withers
18Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was
hungry. 19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.
20When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.
21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
The time of these verses are after Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem...It is a few days before Passover and a few days before His death...He wants to remind the disciples that with God's power they can do anything...
Jesus cursed the fig tree...Although it was not the season for figs (Mark 11:13)...Jesus gives us a powerful visual reminder and warning that God's judgment will come to those who act and appear fruitful, but are not believers...
The fig tree represents Israel and people in general...We want to be believers and go to heaven and at times look fruitful...The leaves are there and flourishing, but where's the fruit...Many Israel's, the Pharisees, and the teachers of the law had leaves and knew much about God...But they rejected His Son...The unbelievers would be doomed to wither without fruit, because of their ways...
How powerful trusting in God and faith is...The disciples soon would be on their own...Jesus would be sending them out to tell the world of the good news...There task, with His upcoming death, would seem overwhelming...They would remember His teachings and this fig tree reminder that they could overcome all obstacles with God's power and trust...
Jesus teaches us the power of prayer and faith...If we have faith and do not doubt Him, we can overcome anything...Prayer and trust in His will is one of the most powerful things on earth...