Nothing But Leaves
Introduction
One of the most unusual stories in the New Testament is that of the cursing of the fig tree found in Mark 11:12-33. It seems, on first reading, so out of character for our Lord to curse a fig tree for the simple reason given in verse 13, “he found nothing but leaves.”
I. What Jesus Experienced
From this passage we discover in verse 12, “He was hungry.” This phrase demonstrates His humanity and implies His humility. The common tendency in studying the life of Jesus is to either deny His deity or to downplay His humanity. Some erroneously say of Jesus as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s character of Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, “He’s a man he’s just a man.” Down through history those like the “Docetic Gnostics” have fallen into the opposite error, thus denying that “. . . Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. . .” (1 John 4:3).
We must remember that Jesus is fully man as well as fully God. He is literally the “God-Man.” Paul writes to Timothy, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1Timothy 2:5). We are reminded that the Lord Jesus Christ as our High Priest can “. . . sympathize with our weaknesses, [and] was in all points tempted as we are, yet without
sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Also from Hebrews 7:26 we find that Jesus is “holy, harmless, undefiled, [and] separate from sinners.” Even though Jesus never ceased to be God, He did experience human sensations of thirst and hunger.
II. What Jesus Expected
Fruit was what Jesus expected, figs to be exact. Nothing satisfies hunger like a ripe fig picked straight from the tree. His expectation was reasonable and righteous. But what did Jesus find? “He found nothing but leaves.…” (v. 13). It is breathtaking to see the foliage in the fall, but these leaves were green, not golden brown. The late evangelist Ron Dunn shares, “The fig tree bore two crops of fruit…: One before the leaves, one with leaves. This tree was sporting leaves, so Jesus had every right to expect fruit. By its external signs it claimed to be fulfilling its God-given function.” In a similar way Jude tells about “certain men” who “crept in unnoticed” who are “clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit” (Jude 4, 12).
Matthew 21:19 reminds us that this tree was beside the road, which implies it was public property.
III. What Jesus Expressed
Jesus expressed a curse. Verse 14 records Jesus’ curse upon this fruitless fig tree: “[He] said to it, ‘Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.’”
Mark begins verse 14 by saying, “In response,” explaining this was not an impulsive act of frustration or an expression of selfishness as some might suggest. The tree had every opportunity to produce what the leaves professed. This tree illustrates Israel’s lack of fruitfulness in rejecting their Messiah.
IV. What Jesus Expelled
After this drastic action against the tree, we read in verses 15 through 19 that Jesus then drove the merchandisers and moneychangers out of the Temple—also known as “the House of
Prayer” (Isaiah 56:7). Sadly, commerce had crowded out communion and communication with God and these Israelites had become unfruitful, like the fig tree.
V. What Jesus Explained
From verses 20-26 we read that Jesus explained the meaning of his actions, teaching about faith (verses 22-24) and forgiveness (verses 25-26). Both faith and forgiveness are absolutely necessary for us to have a fruitful Christian life.
In verses 27-33 we discover that many “religious” leaders questioned Jesus’ authority to do such things. But Jesus stood firm in His resolve to please His Father. Jesus explained at other times, “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me (John 5:30) . . . He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him (John 8:29). . . For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak (John 12: 49) [and]. . . Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works” (John 14: 10).
Conclusion
Lucy E. Akerman has written: “Nothing but leaves! The Spirit grieves o’er years of wasted life; o’er sins indulged while conscience slept, o’er vows and promises unkept, And reaps, from years of strife - nothing but leaves! Nothing but leaves!”
May it never be said of us: “nothing but leaves” Nothing But Leaves:
By Mrs. Lucy E. Akerman
Nothing but leaves; the spirit grieves Over a wasted life;
Sin committed while conscience slept,
Promises made but never kept,
Hatred, battle and strife;
Nothing but leaves!
Nothing but leaves; no garnered sheaves
Of life's fair, ripened grain;
Words, idle words, for earnest deed;
We sow our seeds lo! tares and weeds;
We reap with toil and pain Nothing but leaves!
Nothing but leaves; memory weaves
No veil to screen the past;
As we retrace our weary way,
Counting each lost and misspent day, We find, sadly at last,
Nothing but leaves!
And shall we meet the master so,
Bearing our withered leaves?
The Savior looks for perfect fruit
We stand before him, humble mute,
Waiting the words he breathes "Nothing but leaves?"