…He(Jesus)
became hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found
nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, "No longer shall
there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered.
Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, "How did the fig tree
wither all at once?" And Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly I
say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was
done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and
cast into the sea,' it will happen. "And all things you ask in prayer,
believing, you will receive." (NASB)
I love figs and it
wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized that figs come from more than Fig
Newton packages. Fresh ripe ones are so good. I’m sure that Jesus mouth was
watering too, when he anticipated eating a fresh fig. When you are
hungry---look for food in season, then ask and receive. Jesus was God---yet He
was man and experienced things like we do---hunger. He made the fig tree---yet
He cursed it when there was no fruit. You may ask—was this a time of the year
that figs were ripe for harvest? Good
question.Fig trees actually have fruit at two times during the year. The first crop of the year, called the breba crop comes in the spring about the time when the tree gets its leaves. The fruit is very soft, exceptionally sweet and is usually a delicacy eaten directly from the tree since it does not keep long. In the late summer or fall the common figs ripen on the tree and are harvested before they dry. The fruit has a uniquely sweet taste with a delightful crunchiness of the small seeds inside. The fig is the only fruit that has no waste, the skin as well as the seeds are eaten. Medicinally figs are good for treatment of asthma, constipation, hemorrhoids, boils, and infections of the stomach, intestines and urinary tract. Additionally in Japan and Europe a chemical (benzaldehyde) found in figs has been found to be effective against cancer. With the highest mineral content of any common fruit, figs are exceptionally good for us.
Jesus and his disciples were looking for the spring
fruit, but the tree was barren. Like a hypocrite, it promised fruit, but didn’t
give any. The nation of Israel has been referred to in the Bible as being like
a fig tree (1 Kings 4:25, Hosea 9:10). They were rejected for not being fruitful.
Are you being “fruitful”? The promise that Jesus gives us at the end of this passage
is so encouraging, whatever we ask for in prayer, if we believe, we will receive
it. What a promise! Believe!
Lord Jesus---Help us to see what is good for us, to ask
for the things that are good, in season, and to be fruitful for you.
Easy Fig Pudding
Most
fig puddings have flour and are cooked and served at Christmas time. This one
is an easy one you can whip up every day, any day.
½
cup figs, fresh or soak dried
3
tsp dried coconut, flaked or shaved
½
cup water
½
tsp cinnamon
¼
tsp nutmeg
Dash
of pure vanilla extract
Sprinkle
of sea salt
Soak
figs and coconut in the water for several hours or overnight. Put all the
ingredients into a blender or food processor and puree. Garnish with chopped
nuts, if desired.
Nutritious
easy dessert or snack for two, or enjoy it served over French Toast.
© 2012
by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights
reserved.
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