Sometimes Bible stories sound weird simply because we are missing some necessary information.
Take Matthew 21:18 to 21 for example. It says, “Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ Immediately the tree withered.”
What is going on here? Why is Jesus being so harsh?
To understand the point, it helps to know a little about fig trees.
Unlike fruit trees around here, fig trees produce both their leaves and their fruit at the same time. The fact that this tree had leaves meant that it ought to have fruit as well, which is why Jesus went over to it in the first place.
That is also why Matthew went out of his way to mention that Jesus “found nothing on it except leaves.” This tree was all show. An impressive outer appearance that does not produce anything real is not good enough.
That simple principle applies not only to trees, but also to spiritual things. In Hebrews 13:7, the writer says, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
Notice that he does not say, “Think about how entertaining they were” or “Remember what large crowds they gathered.” Instead, he tells them to consider the “outcome” of what their leaders did, because that is the important part. God is not looking for a show. He is looking for fruit.
The tricky part is that it is always easier to produces leaves than it is to produce fruit. It is easier to pretend to be something that you are not than it is to do the hard work of changing. It is easier to smile and say, “I am fine!” than it is to be honest with one another.
Fake is always easier than real, but it is when we are real with one another and with God that things start to change.
God once said, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Leaves are impressive, but God is looking for fruit.
