When we think of the miracles of Jesus, “destruction” does not usually come to mind. We think of large crowds being healed and fed, but not of things being destroyed. Yet this is exactly what we have in the account of Jesus cursing the barren fig tree – a miracle of destruction!

And it all seems very unfair.

We are told Jesus went looking for fruit on the tree, but we are also told “it was not the season for figs.”

Given what we know of Jesus, why would He curse the tree for not producing fruit out of season? Fig season was still six weeks away, but there was the possibility the tree could have produced some early, bland, green figs among its lush foliage, and Jesus may have been looking for these.

Nevertheless, cursing the tree seems a bit over the top, and when it’s discovered the next morning that the tree has “withered” we are meant to understand that it’s dead forever – it’s never coming back!

However, when you see this event against the broader picture of the last week of Jesus’ life, it begins to make sense.

Did Jesus know there would be no figs on the tree? Of course! Which means that Jesus’ going to the fig tree was a deliberate action on His part that would have aroused the curiosity of His disciples: “Why is He looking for figs this time of the year?”

The cursing of the fig tree is called an “acted parable” and was intended to teach an important truth.

The fig tree represents Israel, and in the same way Jesus had a desire for food, God had a desire for Israel to be holy. And just like the barren fig tree, Israel appeared to be flourishing, but upon closer inspection, she had not produced the fruit of holiness. As a result, God’s judgement fell on Israel, as it did on the poor fig tree!

And in a few short days, God’s judgement for sin would fall upon His only Son, but the result would be very different because it would bring holiness to all those who trust in Him.

Today’s Bible reading: Mark 11:15-18