MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
The Fig Tree T
his morning, for our conference worship time, we considered and discussed the parable of the condemned fig tree, found in Mark 11:12–14, which reads as follows: “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 heard him say it” (NIV). My first reaction to this passage was perhaps Jesus was a little harsh toward the fig tree. After all, maybe it would produce figs at another time. Upon further reflection and consideration of the context of the passage, I began to realize He was taking the opportunity to turn this into an object lesson.
Jesus continues His journey to the temple, and His first act is to drive out those who were carrying on business within the confines of the temple. He states this was to be a place of prayer, not profit. The Jewish people held the temple in great esteem. It was a place of national pride. However, God intended it be a place of prayer; a place where holiness was sought; a place where His character could be seen in its worshippers. Just like the fig tree that advertised it was full of fruit by the abundance of leaves, so the temple, by its beautiful façade, was promoting itself as a place of prayer where God could be found. As the fig tree was devoid of fruit, so, too, was the temple devoid of His presence by the actions of those found there.
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As the fig tree was devoid of fruit, so, too, was the temple devoid of His presence by the actions of those found there.
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Alberta Adventist News
SEPTEMBER 2021
