On Monday, early in the morning, Jesus walks the 2/3 of a mile back into Jerusalem. On Sunday Jesus had visited the temple and during His visit we saw that our King was righteous and weeping. As the righteous King Jesus is looking at the activities of the city and of the temple. As the weeping King Jesus is broken hearted over the rejection of the people and the judgment they are bringing upon themselves because of their unbelief.

As Jesus returns to the city on Monday there is no weeping. Instead Jesus brings judgment against unbelieving Jerusalem. We see this in His dramatic display in the temple area (Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15; Luke 19:45). Along the way Jesus stops to speak in front of a fig tree.

In the Old Testament prophets God uses the imagery of a fig tree to depict Israel. With a night of reflection on what He has observed in the city Jesus sees the fig tree and is reminded of what the Father longed to see in His people. God wants to see His people bear fruit. The Father is just like Jesus, He hungers for His people to bear fruit (Micah 7:1). But, as the Father sees no fruit in Israel in the days of Micah the prophet, Jesus sees none. In an object lesson of judgment against Israel, Jesus says never again will this fig tree bear fruit.

On Tuesday Jesus will return to the fig tree. His disciples are amazed at the withered tree. How could it happen so quickly!? Jesus delivers the lesson, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24). How can judgment be turned into the blessing of answered prayer? Because Jesus is to become the suffering King. Jesus Christ would become our curse so that we could be forgiven (Galatians 3:13). He would be withered so that we could become healthy with the fruit that comes by faith.

Only faith in Jesus brings this freedom from sin that bursts forth in faith-filled prayer and forgiveness of others. We dare stand in the path of God’s justice without the fruit that comes from repentance and faith in Jesus. In His death He takes the judgment we should have received. In His resurrection He offers new fruit-bearing possibilities (1 Corinthians 15:20). Lean into Him, repent of your sin and fruitlessness, believe in His work for you, and experience the liberating power of His resurrection.