On His journey to Jerusalem, Jesus encountered a fig tree that appeared lush and full from afar, yet up close, it bore no fruit. Though outwardly green and promising, it was empty, and He declared it would never bear fruit again. By the next day, it had withered from the roots up. This was not a random act, but a living parable illustrating the spiritual barrenness of Israel—a people who honored God with words but whose hearts were distant from Him.

In Matthew 21:18–22, Jesus exposes the danger of empty religion: faith without action, worship without surrender, godliness without power. Yet alongside this warning, He offers a promise to those who believe: genuine faith moves mountains and unlocks the power of God through prayer. The withered tree and the assurance of answered prayer stand together as a call to lives that bear true spiritual fruit.

This passage reminds us that outward appearances cannot hide inward emptiness. God seeks evidence of grace, obedience, and love in our hearts. He longs for prayerful faith, for lives that reflect His glory, and for branches overflowing with the fruit of the Spirit. Let us strive to be more than trees with leaves alone, yielding instead a harvest of righteousness for His name’s sake. How is your life bearing fruit that honors God today?