This parable of the curse of the fig tree is placed after Jesus was purifying the temple from merchants and businesspeople. The temple had become a marketplace and not being used as the main priority, a house of prayer.

We can see that Jesus was angered at this and flipped over tables. He was expressing how mistaken people were to think that it was okay to profit and had lost sight of what was most important.  

After this, we see the parable of the curse of the fig tree. Jesus sees a fig tree that had not produced fruit and cursed it. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

Jesus reminds us here, the importance of two things prayer and believing. The formula to receive anything we ask in prayer is to pray and believe. However, it is important that our heart and mind is in the right posture, aligned to our Father’s heart. Not live in a religion, doing things for the sake of it. But to live in a relationship with Jesus, knowing that He is the way, the truth and the life.

Bearing fruit means having life in you. The life that only Jesus gives. Bearing fruit means staying connected to the source of life.

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up. All the dead branches like that are gathered up, thrown into the fire and burned. Stay joined together with me, and follow my teachings. If you do this, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you.” John 15:1-7

Through this, we can be a blessing to others and satisfy people’s hunger spiritually. This could be by giving hope, sharing wisdom and/or words of encouragement, among others.

With this in mind, in order to bear fruit means to care for our Father’s will.

It is then, when we pray and believe that we receive anything in prayer.

In other words, pray with no doubt, pray expecting it and wait on the Lord.

Let us all bear fruit in Jesus name, Amen.