Matthew 21:18-22 Discussion
So, why did Jesus curse the fig tree? This was not a thoughtless, angry act, but an acted-out parable. Jesus was showing his anger at religion without substance. Just as the fig tree looked good from a distance but was fruitless at close examinatioin, so the Temple looked impressive at first glance, but its sacrifices and other activities were hollow because they were not done to worship God sincerely. If you only appear to have fiath without putting it to work in your life, you are like the fig tree that withered and died because it bore no fruit. Genuine faith means bearing fruit for God's Kingdom.
Fig trees, a poplular source of inexpensive food in Israel, require three years from the time they areplanted until they can bear fruit. Each tree yields a great amount of fruit twice a year, in late spring and in early autumn. This incident occurred early in the spring fig season when the leavers were beginning to bud. The figs normally grow as the leaves fill out, but this tree, though full of leaves, had none. The tree looked promising but offered no fruit. Jesus' harsh words compared the nation of Israel to the fig tree. Fruitful in appearnce only, Israel was spiritually barren.
In today's Hmong Christian lives, I also see this play out as well. Hmong people by nature and discipline are kind and generous people, so from the outside and to the community, the "look" like Christians... however, their heart - what God really looks at - may not be at the right place. So, as a Hmong Christian, make sure that your actions matches the motives of your heart.