The road that Jesus took from Jericho to Jerusalem for His final Passover, which passed through Bethany and Bethphage, was located just east of Jerusalem. As Jesus approached Bethphage (whose name means “house of unripe figs”), He directed two of His disciples to retrieve a donkey on which He would enter Jerusalem.
When Jesus entered the Temple area, He found the Court of the Gentiles, the area designated for the gentiles to worship God, has been turned into a flea market with vendors and money changers. Jesus promptly cleaned the house, saying, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer;’ but you are making it a ‘robber’s den’” (Mat 21:13).
The next morning, Jesus returned to Jerusalem along the same road He had traveled before and saw a fig tree in leaf, which typically indicated that it would have unripe figs. But the tree offered only leaves. Jesus cursed the tree, not in a fit of anger, but in order to represent what He had seen the day before in the Jewish leaders and the Temple: there was no fruit present when all indications suggested otherwise.
A few days later, Jesus would tell His disciples that He chose them for a particular reason: “That you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain” (John 15:16). Jesus desires the same from us.
The lives of the religious always bear leaves, but not always figs. When Jesus looks at our lives, He expects to find our faith lived out in authenticity. He wants to find us fruitful. Being fruitful is an outward evidence of inward spiritual transformation. It is the visible expression of Christ-like character, good works, obedience, and effective witness.
Now, fruitlessness is a sign of disconnection from Christ. A branch that is detached from the vine dries up and dies. When we drift away from intimacy with Jesus through neglect of prayer, Scripture, or the church community, we disconnect ourselves from the source of life. A faith that produces no fruit is a dead faith, as James 2:17 says: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
What does a fruitful life look like in everyday settings?
- At Home
A fruitful parent is patient, kind, and nurtures the faith of their children. A fruitful spouse is forgiving, gentle, and serves with love. - At Work
A fruitful employee works with integrity, encourages others, and avoids gossip. They are known for joy and peace in stressful environments. - At Church
Fruitful believers serve using their spiritual gifts. They encourage the discouraged, disciple the young in faith, and are faithful in their attendance and giving. - In the Community
Fruitful Christians engage with the lost, serve the poor, and speak truth in love. Their lives shine with the light of Christ in the darkness.
Paul prays that believers would “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work.” (Col 1:10)
Matthew 6:17-19
Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
What we produce reveals who we are.
The gardener is walking among the branches today. May He find in us not dry twigs but vibrant, live-giving branches overflowing with fruits.
Your servant,
David Gunardi