And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away. Mt 21:19

 

He came to it

 

When we reflect the life of Jesus, most often He was walking and doing ministry. He would be taking the road where people used to come to Him. He used to give them teaching about the Kingdom of God, or when there was a miracle or healing needed, He used to perform that for the people, and made that an opportunity to proclaim the Kingdom of God. 

Maybe in one such event, He must have been hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He must have thought that He would get something to eat. But the Bible says, He came to it, but found nothing but leaves. What a disappointing situation. Jesus normally does not desire for food unless there was a necessity. Forty days and night He withheld from food and drink, so this time He must have been hungry. That is why He went, because they say if there are leaves, normally fig fruits behind that. But this time He found nothing.

 

In our life, too God is expecting that we offer fruits to the people around us. Christian life should be one of fruit-giving.  Love, happiness, peace.. things like that are the fruits that we need to give to people who live around us on behalf of Christ.  When people cannot find that, or when Jesus cannot find that, it really saddens Him. In this case, He said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away. Oh, this should never happen to us.

 

In another passage, a farmer was pleading with Him to give him another year of opportunity, and if it do not produce yield, He may cut off the tree. Like that, may we plead with God that He give us more time, that we may be able to give fruit when Jesus is expecting or people around us are expecting.

 

Even a good word, even a good action, even a small gesture of compassion... all these things can be good fruit that people are in need. We can give and we must give as Christians.

 

Jesus gave His own life to others. We are only expected to give certain fruits that benefits that benefit people who are living in our neighborhood.

 

Abba, Thank You for creating us. Let Your Spirit instill in us the desire to be united with Jesus, because He has said "You can do nothing without Me." Let this time be one of union with Him that we may be able to bear more fruits for Jesus and for His believers. In Jesus' Most Powerful Name,  Amen.