Abstract
This essay briefly outlines three principles that the parable of the fig tree is conveying by the direct teaching of Jesus Christ. This parable of the fig tree, as it is often referenced by theologians, speak to the three messages that Jesus teaches to the disciples. These accounts are based on the gospels written by St. Matthew, St. Mark, and St. John. It is from these narratives that this manuscript is written.
Key words: parable, the fig tree, Jesus Christ
Introduction
One of the last five parables of Jesus’ ministry, according to Finis J. Dake, the parable of the fig tree is ultimately dealing with the imminent return of Jesus. Understanding that Jesus is the expedient source to eternal and abundant life is a fundamental belief of Christian followers. During his ministry, Jesus taught his disciples in the form of parables quite often. The dictionary defines the word, parable, as a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson. Jesus’ use of allegories was His method of teaching His ways and the ways of His Father that separated the believers from the carnally minded. Those who believed His words understood the symbolism that He used. Yet, he also preached very candidly, with precision and clarity, the righteousness of God. In either account, Matthew 11:15, Jesus makes the declaration, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
The parable of the fig tree denotes the return of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself is teaching this to His disciples before his crucifixion, an event that they had not quite conceived. He does this immediately after sharing His impartation about a destroyed temple, an understanding of things to come, and His return. In this outline, the emphasis is to focus on three principles of Jesus’ parable of the fig tree, found in the first three gospels of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Principle One: The Prophetic Signs of His Return
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. ~Matthew 24:32-35(KJV) (p. 48)
As stated in the previous quote, the parable of the fig tree can first be found in the book of St. Matthew, chapter 24, verses 32-35. This first principle of this parable focuses on Matthew 24:32, specifically. Jesus, the Son of God, uses his creation of the seasons, spring specifically, as a symbol of new things to come. In spring, vegetation of every kind tends to blossom and grow. The maturation of this blossoming does not occur suddenly, but takes time and goes through the process of an annual evolving, reproducing, and reduplication. Through the ages, people witness the changes of time and seasons, year after year, age after age. Therefore, Jesus was teaching a principle in a way that His disciples could understand.
As the spring season gets closer, the fruit on a tree becomes ready to pluck. As the time grows closer for the fig to be plucked from the tree in the spring; and all of the signs are witnessed for the readiness of the fruit to be pulled away, so are the signs of Jesus’ return. Ultimately, this first principle speaks to the many things that will occur leading up to His return. Jesus, the prophet, speaks of things to come in the parables just before this one, giving the parable of the fig tree much more meaning. The “springtime” of Jesus’ return will be a manifestation of apparent signs of His coming.
Principle Two: Faith in Knowing the Time is Near
28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. ~Mark 13:28-29 (KJV) (p. 89)
The second principle of this parable is to know, to be confident, to have faith in knowing the Jesus is coming back and that the believers in Jesus Christ must recognize the signs of His breaking through the clouds as an event that will be soon to come. The passage St. Mark’s account Jesus’ teachings of this parable implores the disciples to activate their faith in His prophetic words. Within the King James Version, the use of the word ‘know’ is shown in both verses in this short passage. To know is to trust what He says, believing in His every word. This is exceedingly paramount, because without such faith, the signs of His coming will not be recognized. Faith allows God’s people to see, to hear, and to understand clearly, all of His principles. Opening up one’s heart to this possibility means that there is a reception of the Holy Spirit that helps us to receive the multifarious blessings of God.
This sermon that Jesus gave about the parable of the fig tree is quite compelling because, once again, the finite minds of the disciples could not fully comprehend what Jesus was speaking of because His time of death had not even come. But, because of His divine presence, they knew and believed that everything that He said was true. They witnessed His miracles and could, assuredly, sense the divinity of His Father’s latency. This ‘knowing’ transcends logic, fully dependent on faith in Him.
Principle Three: God’s Word is Eternal
29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. ~Luke 21:29-33 (KJV) (p. 158)
The third principal of the fig tree is to understand the everlasting existence and Word of God. Some would say that the things that people are able to see and touch are less real than the existence of things and beings that people are not able to see nor touch. This ideology speaks to the temporal existence of the earth. The things of the flesh, the material objects of life will eventually expire. Death and destruction are inevitable. But, Jesus teaches the disciples, in this passage in Luke, chapter 21, verses 32 and 33, that His Word transcends death and destruction. Jesus, emphatically, expresses His everlasting presence and His eternal word. Therefore, it is important to point out that all of His prophecies will be fulfilled, proving that His Word stands forever.
The everlasting hope is that the eternal glory of the King of king and the Lord of lords is that members of His Kingdom will have eternal life with Him in heaven. The Word of God is equal to and equivocally, Jesus Christ. He is God and He is the Son of God. His everlasting existence not only refers to what we understand as the definition of the future. But, it is also the fact that Jesus, as God as always been, so has Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This one God has the inconceivable ability to manifest Himself in three ways. Humbly declared. His existence can be likened to the shape of a circle where there is no beginning and there is no end. He, simply, is. He has always been. He will be forever. As He is, so is anything that He says.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the focus of this essay is to share and consider three principles of Jesus’ parable of the fig tree. The narrative of this parable is found in the first three gospels of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The first principle of Jesus’ message of the parable of the fig tree is that there will be signs of His return that is likened to the fig tree in the springtime as it is on the cusp of being ready for harvest. The second principle is that knowing that His return is imminent and that is a manifestation of one’s faith in Him. Finally, the third principle is that whatever God says is true, it is eternal, and it is the prophetic Word of Jesus Christ. The previous parables outlined in the Bible, give this parable more meaning as Jesus builds up His teachings to His disciples. As it was for them, so it is for all followers who have come after them, developing a faith, hope, and trust in God.
Bibliography
Biblegateway.com. (n.d.). Matthew 11:15, KJV. Retrieved April 2016, from Biblegateway.com: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=KJV&search=Matthew%2011
Dictionary.com. (1275-1325). parable. Retrieved April 2016, from Dictionary.com: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/parable?s=t
Luke. (AD 58-63 / 2014). St. Luke 21:29-31. In F. J. Dake, Dake's Annotated Reference Bible: The Holy Bible (KJV ed., pp. 158, New Testament). Lawrenceville, GA, USA: Dake's Publishing, Inc.
Mark. (AD 57-63 / 2014). St. Mark 13:28-29. In F. J. Dake, Dake's Annotated Reference Bible: The Holy Bible (KJV ed., pp. 89, New Testament). Lawrenceville, GA, USA: Dake Publishing, Inc.
Matthew. (AD 37 / 2014). St. Matthew 24:32-35. In Matthew, Dake's Annotated Reference Bible: The Holy Bible (KJV ed., pp. 48, New Testament). Lawrenceville, GA, USA: Dake Publishng, Inc.
