“In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up.” Matthew 21:18-19 NLT

The second half of Matthew 21 is a sharp contrast between the appearance of faith by the religious leaders and the real power of God lived through faith in Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God. Jesus is returning to the temple for a third day by Matthew’s account. On the way there, he sees the promise of fresh figs to satisfy his hunger. The fig tree looks vibrant and alive. It is full of leaves and good color. From a distance it looks promising. Nothing like a good fresh picked fig to satisfy a little hunger! As Jesus draws close, the fig tree has nothing to offer to satisfy his hunger.

This is the dilemma people are faced with.

The day before, Jesus confronted the religious leaders by clearing out the temple from the big religious business it had become. Instead, he declares the temple as a house of prayer, not a den of thieves seeking to fulfill the requirements of religious practice with no real transformation of one’s life. The religion held the promise of a changed life, but in the end, it offered none.

What happened next is what God intends to happen in a house of prayer. People were healed and helped. The children took notice and gave Jesus praise as the promised Messiah. Jesus cursed this deception of “the appearance of”. He wanted the disciples to understand the stark contrast of bringing fruitfulness to a world that is hungry. In effect he said, “No more deception!”

The disciples were amazed by the immediacy of Jesus’ curse. Listen to their question and Jesus’ response: “The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Matthew 21:20-22 NLT.

Jesus is contrasting “the appearance of” or “false hope and promises” with the power of a life of faith and focus on God. A life that trusts in and does not doubt the power of God, will do amazing things for the wellbeing of others. Things we cannot do in our own strength.

• Physical things.
• Spiritual things.
• Emotional things.
• Creative things.
• Transformative things.

With God, he brings life and abundance in every form. He does not deceive. The fruit of his kingdom is real and present through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is God’s ongoing presence with us today. Jesus is letting us know that we can confidently address the deception offered by false promises with a life of real power and change for the better!

Go back to the Temple for a minute. Instead of spending your money on religious commerce that, in and of itself, will not help you; come to Jesus with the faith and confidence that life with him will be filled and the deepest of hunger satisfied.

As a follower of Christ, live this truth of a life focused on what God can and will do as we seek him. Share this abundance with others. Don’t settle for “the appearance of”.

– Ed McDowell, C.E.O.
Warm Beach Camp Ministries