The Barren Fig Tree
Having a form of godliness but denying its power.
The treatment of the barren fig tree by the Messiah shows how all pretenders to godliness will be treated…. This tree represents the the religious leaders, who refused to respond to the love of God. Despite all the privileges and opportunities granted them, the religious leaders brought forth only briers and thorns—no fruit to the glory of God. This blighted tree was a parable to the house of Israel—a most impressive lesson. It is also a lesson to the professed followers of God in every age. Reaching through all time, it speaks in unmistakable language to all formalists and boasters of godliness who stand forth to the world with high profession but are utterly devoid of that vital piety which alone God recognizes as fruit.
Like the barren fig tree, many flaunt their foliage—covered branches before the Lord, proudly claiming to be His commandment-keeping leaders, while the heart-searching God finds them destitute of fruit….
We learn from the Holy Record that this tree, upon which hung not a redeeming cluster of fruit, was clothed with green foliage. Notice the words, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” The doom of the fruitless fig tree has an application to individual professors who manifest the natural tendencies of the unrenewed heart, and contradict their faith by their daily life. They do not represent to the world the character of God, because they have not God in them.
Our God never turned away from the truly penitent, no matter how great their guilt. But He hates all hypocrisy and vain display….
Fruitless professors, sad indeed is your fate; for the open sinner stands in a more favorable position in the sight of God. The blight of God’s curse is upon that class who hide the deformity of their lives under a profession of godliness. The messenger Jochanan, that bold, undaunted reprover of sin, who came to prepare the way for Messiah’s advent, thus addressed the multitude that flocked to hear him: “Therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”