BIBLE STUDY-26

 

Peace Methodist Church 2021. 11. 7.

 

Matthew 21:18~22

 

◎ Matthew 21:19 CEB

He saw a fig tree along the road, but when he came to it, he found nothing except leaves. Then he said to it, “You’ll never again bear fruit!” The fig tree dried up at once.

 

[A] Warning for the barren fig tree.

Fig tree, vine tree, and olive tree are symbol of the Israelite people.

 

◎ Jeremiah 8:13 ESV

When I would gather them, declares the Lord, there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered, and what I gave them has passed away from them.”

 

◎ Micah 7:1 ESV

Woe is me! For I have become as when the summer fruit has been gathered, as when the grapes have been gleaned: there is no cluster to eat, no first-ripe fig that my soul desires.

 

[B] Only leaves are useless.

The fruit = The Goal of Religion

Leaves = The Methods of Religious Life(The Means of Grace)

 

[C] Bear good fruit!

God wants us to bear good fruit.

 

◎ Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

 

◎ Matthew 7:18-19 ESV

A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.