1. Fig Tree represents Self Righteousness
- It started in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Even took Fig leaves to cover their nakedness, once after they sin
- Jesus curses a fig tree
- All sinners received healing from Jesus, except pharisees and Sadducees who believed on Self righteousness by keeping the commandments / law
Jesus Curses a fig tree
Mark 11:13-14
New International Version (NIV)
13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.
14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
Mark 11:20-22
New International Version (NIV)
20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.
21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.
2. “Rich” Signifies Self Righteousness
Matthew 19:16-26 below
- Jesus clearly replied “There is only One who is good” . One is Jesus Himself
- No one else can be Righteousness, unless and until it is by believing Jesus and what He did on the cross
- The man who came to Jesus was so much about his Self Righteousness and was boasting on his Self Righteousness
- You will be Righteous only by believing on Jesus and on what He has done on the cross. ( Not by your self righteousness : and so it says “seek ye first the Kingdom of God and HIS Righteousness ) more info
- It shows “with man it is impossible to be self righteous”. Man has to rely on Jesus Righteousness. Hence New Covenant was made
Matthew 19:16-26
New International Version (NIV)
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
|
Self Righteousness |
His Righteousness |
|
Obeying commandments |
Believing on Jesus Righteousness |
|
Old Covenant |
New Covenant |
|
Believing on your own effort to keep all the commandments |
Believing on, Jesus died on the cross for our past, present and future sins |
|
Repent and then you will be forgiven |
Understanding that we have been forgiven for all our sins, leads us to repentance |