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Those Darn Fig Trees!
Written by Peter Youngren on February 3, 2009Phil is back again. No, not Dr Phil, our local church Phil. He has a lot of good thoughts, this time about fig leaves. So, here is Phil…
“Do you remember the Scripture in which Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered and died the next day? (Mark 11:13 – 21). Ever wonder why He did that? Could it be (and this is just conjecture) that when Jesus saw the fig leaves on the tree, He was reminded of what took place in the Garden of Eden? In Genesis 3:7, the Bible says that Adam and Eve used fig leaves in an attempt to cover their nakedness (wrongdoing). Their self effort (legalism) to make themselves presentable to God could be signified by the fig leaf, and I believe that it (self effort) is what truly separated them from their Father. God went looking for them in the Garden after they screwed up, but Adam and Eve hid from Him for fear of being exposed. When God asked them what they had done, neither one of them asked for forgiveness; instead, they either blamed God or made excuses—more cover up. Had they only responded appropriately to the Father’s call, then who knows what would have happened? Adam and Eve simply chose to trust in themselves and their silly fig leaves and excuses, rather than in the love of the Father.”
“Jesus cursing the fig leaf could very well be a picture of the end of the dispensation of the Law (self effort) and the ushering in of the dispensation of God’s grace. Mark 11:13 says; “And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, ‘Let no one eat fruit from you ever again’.” Do you see that? The season of the fig had passed! Likewise, the season of self effort—of trying to make yourself presentable to God by your own works—has ended: It ended at the hands of Jesus and He has the nail scars to prove it.”
“What about you and me? Are we still relying on fig leaves to make ourselves presentable to God? Are we hiding behind excuses or good works to conceal our shortcomings? Or are we relying on what Jesus has provided and on the kindness of our Father? The fruit of leaning on our own understanding and our own efforts is separation from God—the occurrences in Eden proved this beyond any shadow of doubt. Leaning on Jesus and what He has done for us and relying on the kindness of God brings righteousness, peace and joy to our lives. It’s our choice to make and when you really think about it, it’s a no-brainer.”
“As far as God is concerned, there is nothing between us and Him—let’s make sure that the same can be said as far as we are concerned. Just say “no” to figs J.”
Let me know your thoughts. Have you ever used a “fig leaf”? Or, have you experienced the freedom of knowing that you are OK because of Jesus? -Peter
Björn Horst
~ Sweden
Hi Peter!
I am a happy discoverer of the proclamation of grace in Christ, you preach about. The proclamation has literally transformed my life. I wonder where in Sweden you will find congregations that live in this preaching? Who more than you and Åge proclaim this in the Nordic countries?
With grace and joy!
Björn
paula
~ niagara falls
With love from the Body of Christ I would add that this is a perfect example of the latter day ’ the wisdom of men shall be as fools’. Even the existence of this blog and site and ministry, built carefully over many years to be handed over so lightly as a soapbox for fools - it is like the latest trend to take the New Covenant and blend it into the old, something like the leavening of the Pharasees. To get the meaning of the fig tree example one might read on to the next paragraph or are men allowed to rewrite the whole bible and put that paragraph also in Genesis. We are under a New Covenant. Jesus did expoiund on the fig tree incident even the next day and he didnt mention anything from Genesis except the unlimited Power of God. I am staying with His explanation and His only.
Micheal A.
~ Ontario
Hey Paula,
I don’t think anyone is trying to re-write the bible - the writer qualifies his comments as “...just conjecture…” Are we, as christians, allowed to think about things like this or are we to just put our brains away (like athiests claim we do)? The writer is merely pondering something here and I like the underlying sentiment. Are we, as believers, still hiding behind our own efforts or are we relying solely on what our Father has provided for us through Christ? It’s worth thinking about IMO.
Zeehan
~ Islamabad, Pakistan
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It’s the old what goes around comes around routine.
Cecil and Katrinas
~ cincinnatti oh
you got that right on the fig and when jesus saw nathenel the isrealite under the fig tree (the law of bondage) grace had come to set us free.
the lord had given me this a while back.
thanks for his wisdom thru you brother youngren
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Comments:
Beena
~ Oakville
Wow, that’s a neat revelation from the Holy spirit. I enjoyed reading the blog. Though in many areas I have been freed from condemnation there are some aspects where I still have to LABOUR to enter the rest that the cross has provided & as everbody else I am in the journey to know more & more of his sufficiency for me.
The other day, I was reading Andrew Murrays book- Absolute surrender wherein he brought forth this verse- 1 pet 1 : 4 & 5 which was very encouraging to me personally.
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time
He particularly emphasized the term ” Kept by the power of GOD” . He was mentioning if our father can reserve an inheritance for us in Heaven why wouldn’t he KEEP US for that inheritance. It really blessed my heart & I was overwhelmed my father’s love for ME. Don’t we all have a great Daddy!!!