The Message of the Fig Tree | CD
Product Description
Sermon delivered by Malcolm Hedding
August 7, 2011
Malcolm Hedding, International Ministries, shares a seemingly strange tale in the life of Jesus as depicted in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke – the cursing of the fig tree. This unique episode dominates the events of the Passover/Passion Week in Scripture, primarily because Jesus repeatedly admonished His listeners to “learn the lesson of the fig tree.” Malcolm describes that this fig tree is unique to the Judean village of Bethphage – translated from Hebrew, the “House of the Fig Tree”, the early fig or first fruit. Further, even though it was not “the season for figs”, this particular variety of fig tree should have already born up to eight of the most splendid figs to be found anywhere. The tree that Jesus came upon in His hunger, however, had born no fruit – nor, Jesus knew, would it. Therefore, He cursed the fig tree, saying, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” The next time Jesus and His disciples passed the fig tree, it had withered away. We are presently living in a time when the ‘fig tree’ is blossoming, but the season will soon end and the door will close. Malcolm explains that this message is about His Church – that we are unique in time; that we are the desire of the Lord; that we are most useful to His purpose; and we are destined to rule - we are the first fruits and Jesus is expecting a harvest. Will He find satisfaction and sustenance from the fruit found in us? The message also reflects on Israel’s unbelief along with their destined spiritual restoration, which will herald Jesus’ return. The message of the fig tree displays a great faith, without doubting – a faith that can remove mountains. We are to be a people of faith, and that means that the people of God need to learn about God’s character and ways. We are invited by Jesus to learn the message of the fig tree.
August 7, 2011
Malcolm Hedding, International Ministries, shares a seemingly strange tale in the life of Jesus as depicted in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke – the cursing of the fig tree. This unique episode dominates the events of the Passover/Passion Week in Scripture, primarily because Jesus repeatedly admonished His listeners to “learn the lesson of the fig tree.” Malcolm describes that this fig tree is unique to the Judean village of Bethphage – translated from Hebrew, the “House of the Fig Tree”, the early fig or first fruit. Further, even though it was not “the season for figs”, this particular variety of fig tree should have already born up to eight of the most splendid figs to be found anywhere. The tree that Jesus came upon in His hunger, however, had born no fruit – nor, Jesus knew, would it. Therefore, He cursed the fig tree, saying, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” The next time Jesus and His disciples passed the fig tree, it had withered away. We are presently living in a time when the ‘fig tree’ is blossoming, but the season will soon end and the door will close. Malcolm explains that this message is about His Church – that we are unique in time; that we are the desire of the Lord; that we are most useful to His purpose; and we are destined to rule - we are the first fruits and Jesus is expecting a harvest. Will He find satisfaction and sustenance from the fruit found in us? The message also reflects on Israel’s unbelief along with their destined spiritual restoration, which will herald Jesus’ return. The message of the fig tree displays a great faith, without doubting – a faith that can remove mountains. We are to be a people of faith, and that means that the people of God need to learn about God’s character and ways. We are invited by Jesus to learn the message of the fig tree.
