A False Impression

“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

            An outward appearance can give a false impression. Examples can be found on realtor’s website listings, pre-owned automobile lots, even restaurant meus (it doesn’t look like the picture!) I am not being critical of those in the auto industry, food service or in real estate, but we all know there are times when the product does not meet up to the standards that were presented once examine. Jesus found this to be true on His way back into Jerusalem with His disciples.

            Walking with His disciples on the road back to Jerusalem early in the morning, Jesus became hungry and noticed a fig tree up ahead. From a distance it looked green and full of leaves. It gave the appearance of being able to supply ample nourishment to one who is hungry. However when Jesus and His disciples got close enough for a closer look, they found nothing but leaves, no figs. The tree gave a false impression of what could be on it, but was not!

            Jesus’s reaction to this false claim was immediate judgment, He cursed the tree, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ The result, the fig tree withered up immediately. Some theologians see this as an illustration of the nation Israel that was unfruitful despite being God’s chosen people. Our application for today is for those of us who claim to be Jesus followers, Christians in the true sense of the word with all the external trimmings, but showing no fruit. There are Christians who give a false impression of who they are until someone gets close enough to see otherwise.

            Jesus became hungry on the road into Jerusalem and needed the fruit from the fig tree to sustain Him the rest of the way. Unfortunately there was no fruit to be seen. People today on life’s road need the fruit of Gospel, spiritual nourishment for this life and for eternity. When they see us up ahead, observe us, and move closer to us, will they find that we are true followers of Jesus and able to show them the way or will they only find a False Impression?