Daily Devotional For Saturday, October 24, 2026
Good morning Southside! I am following the One Year Chronological Bible reading suggestion and any Bible verses you see highlighted in bold (ex. John 3:16), means it is a link to that verse. All you have to do is click on the reference and it will take you to the verse online. Our daily devotional for today comes from the words of Jesus found in Mark 11:12-14, 20-21. Our devotional for today is one that almost seems out of character for Jesus.
Jesus is leaving Bethany and He is hungry. He noticed a fig tree and went to pick some figs from it to eat. Finding none, He cursed it. Mark tells us that it was early spring and leaves had just come on to the tree and that it was too early for the fruit of figs. Therefore, to expect figs was unrealistic. Jesus would have known this. So, Jesus, what in the world were You thinking, right? Some scholars think that for Jesus to lose His temper over this fig tree not having figs when it was not the season and then to use His power to curse it was a waste and an abuse of His divine power.
So these minds reject the story because it seems to them that Jesus is acting like a spoiled child who did not get his way. Still others have rejected Jesus’ cursing the tree because it is unthinkable to them that Jesus would blast a poor, innocent tree simply because it was fruitless. So, how should we respond then? These same scholars felt Jesus was wrong in making a herd of swine go over a cliff in Mark 5.
Jesus did not spitefully curse the tree because he was hungry and it didn’t provide what it promised. He could do without food, as for example when he refused to satisfy his hunger by turning stones into bread even though he had been fasting forty days in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-4). For 40 days Jesus had been in the wilderness fasting and He was hungry when the devil came tempting Him to turn stones into bread. Jesus was able to go without water so that He could minister to a person like the woman at the well (John 4:1-9).
The reason Jesus cursed the barren fig tree was because he wanted it to become a visual parable of what was happening to Israel. In actuality He honored that tree, making it the most useful tree that ever grew! It was, and is, a tree from which thousands have learned about themselves and turned back to God. If one soul has been made to consider its life through that tree, it did not wither in vain. Just the day before, Jesus had made His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem and Israel was all celebrating Passover, not realizing that THE Passover Lamb was with them.
In the Old Testament, the fig tree was used as a symbol of Israel (Jer. 8:13; Jer. 29:17; Hos. 9:10, 16; Joel 1:7; Micah 7:1-6). The fact that this fig tree has leaves but no figs portrayed exactly the spiritual state of Israel. Israel was a barren tree of leaves only. She had no real spiritual fruit. The splendor of the Temple and worship services there and now Passover, all masked the absence of spiritual fruit.
Reflection Assignment: What about you? Do you have all the appearance of spiritual growth but no real spiritual fruit to show as described in Gal. 5:22-23? Is your piety for show, or is it real? Is there depth in your walk with the Lord or are you still shallow and an infant spiritually? If you say, “Depth,” then if you have been saved 20 or more years, who are you discipling? If no one, then you are a fig tree to Jesus. So, what do you think you need to do to allow the Holy Spirit to produce spiritual fruit in you?
Scripture To Meditate On: John 15:2, “He cuts off every branch of Mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, I do not want to be a “fig” tree. I want to be a “fit” tree for You. I want my life to be producing spiritual fruit for Your glory. I don’t want to be all about appearance because I know You can see right through me. Lord, please show me where I need to change, repent and allow Your pruning in my life. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly