The Lesson of the Fig Tree

Growing up in the Caribbean, we had a giant of a mango tree in our backyard. It would normally bear its fruit during the vacation months of June to August. As a boy growing up, the appearance of the small, young, green mangoes would be a sign that August vacation is coming.

As I read Jesus’ parable in this week’s Gospel Mark 13: 24-32 ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.’ I thought of our mango tree. It was a sign of hope.

It was the anticipation of the simple joys of August vacation, pelting (throwing) stones to knock down mangoes high up in its branches, and sucking mango while its juice tricked down between fingers and down your neck. Mango season is so wonderful that a folk saying developed ‘is mango season, turn down your pots’.

I believe it was the same with the fig tree in Jesus’ time. Mentioned over fifty times in Scripture, the fig tree was extremely important for both nutritional and economic reasons in ancient times. When things were well in Israel and the people prosperous, the Bible describes ‘every man sitting under his own fig tree’ (1 Kgs 4:25).

I therefore believe the parable is one of hope - good times are ahead.

Jesus places the parable of the fig tree after the calamities in the sky and on land, followed by Jesus’ second coming in clouds with great power and glory to gather his elect. Lament no longer, hope, good times are ahead.

As we look back at the personal and collective crises of this year, we believe that these are behind us and we look forward in hope for Christmas and the new year. This season is like the appearance of the young green mangoes, and the fig tree tender branches, pointing toward the hope of renewal and restoration.

In the midst of life's challenges, Jesus’ parable invites us to lift our gaze and see that just as seasons of bearing fruit follow seasons of pruning, so too, the glory of God's kingdom follows the trials of life.

Yet, for us to experience this renewal and restoration, we must prepare ourselves. There are still five weeks to go to Christmas and these five weeks can be challenging. These are five weeks of preparation, not only physically ‘putting away and decorating the home’, but also spiritually putting our life in order.

This is the reason I wrote the small book ‘A Season of Hope’. I encourage you to get a copy at the following link A Season of Hope LINK

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