Reg: "All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?"
Being honest this story always kind of made me feel uncomfortable and bothered. Because it was one of those moments where I felt like nothing really had been done wrong yet Jesus made the tree wither anyway.
When my teachers in Bible school told me this story it actually made me kind of scared of Jesus for a time.
As a kid I was like .. “oh so if I don’t do what Jesus wants is he gonna like make me wither like the tree.” And for a little while I actually thought of Jesus as the boogie man.
True story.
It wasn’t until my parent kind of explained it that I realized that’s not what that was. But to this day that story still kind of haunts me.
"All in God's time"...your piece makes me think of this phrase. In the meantime, we must do our best, regardless of our circumstances. Be humble and live a charitable life. Love that you quoted Reverend King, his words always rang true with me. Thank you, Erick.
"If you profess Christ as Lord, do not use Him as a cudgel, but as a salve. " There's my pull-quote from this piece. I've always struggled with this passage because the scripture clearly says it wasn't the season for figs. Why would the tree be held to account if it wasn't supposed to have figs yet? Your explanation makes sense, but I'm not sure I buy it yet. I have fig trees in my yard and have for a long time. The leaves are popping out right now. They aren't out yet, but I will have to pay attention to just how fast the fruit shows up once the leaves are full. I've never noticed before. Thanks, Erick. There are no coincidences.
Mark, the Middle East has Sycamore figs, which we don't grow in the United States. They can bear fruit from spring to fall and the sign of a tree full of fruit is that it is fully covered in leaves.
Mark, my understanding is, that over the short period of our lifetime on planet Earth.
If we present the “Appearance” of having, or possessing fruit, but have none, our lifetime has been wasted. Even if it is not the season for fruit, we better have some. I hope you find this helpful. Have a blessed day.
Bob, I get that. Yeah. My trouble with the scripture was the part about it not being the season for figs but still cursing the tree because it had none. Erick explained above about how one particular varietal of fig tree in the Middle East explains this passage. I get it now.
His will be done. Not mine.
The lesson my parents attempted to teach teach me as a child. Give your all at work at all. Do it as
unto the Lord. Dan
I’m still working on that too.
My ego tries to get in the way, but I’m gonna keep trying.
Not very nice, killing someone else's tree like that.
That tree was on the property of an occupying Roman soldier…. 😂
Reg: "All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?"
Man: "Brought peace?"
Reg: "What? Oh, peace, yes... shut up!"
I needed that, Thank you.
Morning Erick, I love your Easter week commentaries! Keep up the good work!!!
Being honest this story always kind of made me feel uncomfortable and bothered. Because it was one of those moments where I felt like nothing really had been done wrong yet Jesus made the tree wither anyway.
When my teachers in Bible school told me this story it actually made me kind of scared of Jesus for a time.
As a kid I was like .. “oh so if I don’t do what Jesus wants is he gonna like make me wither like the tree.” And for a little while I actually thought of Jesus as the boogie man.
True story.
It wasn’t until my parent kind of explained it that I realized that’s not what that was. But to this day that story still kind of haunts me.
AMEN! 🙏
E-E, you’ve brought joy to my heart this morning!! Thank you, Sir!
God & Country! ✝️🇺🇸
Good Morning People no comment today just Thankful Praise To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ God Bless America
Great article, Erick - guess I never really understood that fig tree. Thank you.
Thanks, Erick, for this timely message and the admonishment to bear fruit as God directs and supplies the abilities and the means.
"All in God's time"...your piece makes me think of this phrase. In the meantime, we must do our best, regardless of our circumstances. Be humble and live a charitable life. Love that you quoted Reverend King, his words always rang true with me. Thank you, Erick.
It’s Tuesday, but Sunday is coming! 🙏❤️
A timely word well spoken. Thank you Erick! Let's all "keep sweeping" our corner of the world.
"If you profess Christ as Lord, do not use Him as a cudgel, but as a salve. " There's my pull-quote from this piece. I've always struggled with this passage because the scripture clearly says it wasn't the season for figs. Why would the tree be held to account if it wasn't supposed to have figs yet? Your explanation makes sense, but I'm not sure I buy it yet. I have fig trees in my yard and have for a long time. The leaves are popping out right now. They aren't out yet, but I will have to pay attention to just how fast the fruit shows up once the leaves are full. I've never noticed before. Thanks, Erick. There are no coincidences.
Mark, the Middle East has Sycamore figs, which we don't grow in the United States. They can bear fruit from spring to fall and the sign of a tree full of fruit is that it is fully covered in leaves.
Erick, that is super-helpful. Thank you. I had not considered a different varietal of tree. This now makes perfect sense.
Mark, my understanding is, that over the short period of our lifetime on planet Earth.
If we present the “Appearance” of having, or possessing fruit, but have none, our lifetime has been wasted. Even if it is not the season for fruit, we better have some. I hope you find this helpful. Have a blessed day.
Bob, I get that. Yeah. My trouble with the scripture was the part about it not being the season for figs but still cursing the tree because it had none. Erick explained above about how one particular varietal of fig tree in the Middle East explains this passage. I get it now.
Yes sir, I didn’t know about that type of fig tree either.
Erick is a fountain of knowledge.
Many thanks, Erick. And from across The Pond, a fine reinforcement:
"... But at the right time, in God’s economy, there will be a harvest. We labour in the light of a certain glorious harvest." https://ealinglevy.wordpress.com/2026/03/31/the-clueless-farmer/