The Father or the Fig Tree

S: Mark 9:14-29; Mark 11:12-26

O: In the first passage, a desperate father brought his suffering son to Jesus’ disciples, but they could not heal him. His son had suffered since childhood, so this father had likely carried years of grief, disappointment, and exhausted hope. Then he heard about this miracle-working rabbi and thought maybe this was finally a way out.

However, when he brought his son to them, the disciples failed to heal him, he was disappointed yet again. No wonder when Jesus finally showed up (after the transfiguration! But he didn’t know that) he said, “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

Jesus almost sounded offended, “If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes.”

No wonder the father desperately cried, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” He didn’t have much faith at that point, but he was desperate, and he brought the little faith he had to the right person.

And Jesus demonstrated His power and healed the boy.

Then in the second passage, Jesus saw a fig tree that was “in leaf” but had no fruit. Fig trees of the kind found in Israel can produce early small figs, sometimes called “early figs” or “breba” fruit, before the main crop. These early figs may appear around the time the leaves come out. So, if you see a tree full of leaves before the main season, you would expect there to be some early fruit.

This became a living parable of the religious leaders and the Temple establishment. They had the appearance of faith but no spiritual fruit. They had the leaves but no figs. So they fell under the curse the same way as illustrated by the fig tree Jesus cursed.

The tree looked fruitful from a distance because it was leafy, so it invited inspection, but it proved barren—making it an apt symbol for outward religiosity without corresponding fruit.

A: In the first story, the man didn’t have any polished religious image. He had no beautiful robes, no fancy theology. Even his faith was frayed, mixed with unbelief. But he was desperate, and he put his trust in Jesus. Jesus showed mercy and healed his son, in spite of his imperfect faith.

In the second story, the priests, scribes, Sadducees and Pharisees had plenty of religious sophistication, but they rejected Jesus, having no true faith and fruit as a result – and so they fell under the curse of the fig tree. This also was repeated many times through history as churches became so caught up in the pomp and pageantry of official sanction but did not have the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, we should trust Jesus even if our faith is imperfect, rather than being caught up in religiosity. This is not to say that you cannot have true faith if you’re in a formal traditional church. You certainly can. And it’s certainly possible to have fake faith for show only in a “contemporary” church. What matters is the heart, sincere trust in Jesus, however imperfect or desperate.

P: Father, thank You for Your grace that overcomes our imperfections. I confess that my faith is often imperfect and have mixed motives. May I always be sincere and following You, even in my shortcomings. I repent of my sins and put my trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Illustration created by ChatGPT.