Leaves Without Life: When Religion Has No Fruit
READ Mark 11:12-21
How often are our decisions today based on appearances?
We buy fruit based on how shiny it looks. We choose clothes because of the style or label. We scroll through social media, judging posts, people, and even ourselves based on what we see. Now, those things might make sense when choosing what to eat or wear - but do we carry that same mindset into our spiritual life?
Do we assume that because things look good on the outside - church attendance, spiritual talk, clean reputation - that everything must be good on the inside?
In Mark 11, Jesus confronts this dangerous assumption head-on. The passage is intentionally structured in a way that’s easy to miss but incredibly important. Mark uses a literary technique called “sandwiching” (or intercalation): he begins a story (the cursing of the fig tree), inserts another story in the middle (the cleansing of the temple), and then returns to the original story (the withered fig tree). These aren’t random scenes - they interpret each other. And when read that way, they unlock deeper truth.
Jesus isn’t just hungry for figs or frustrated with merchants. He’s making a powerful prophetic statement about what happens when something looks alive, religious, and fruitful - but isn’t.
Let’s walk through this sobering and relevant moment together.
Mark 11:12-14 - A Tree of Leaves, But no Fruit
As Jesus and His disciples approached Jerusalem, He was hungry. From a distance, He saw a fig tree in leaf and approached it, expecting to find fruit. But when He reached it, there was nothing but leaves. Then comes the surprising moment: Jesus curses the tree - not because He didn’t find breakfast, but as prophetic act with deep spiritual meaning.
Fig trees typically grow leaves after or alongside the early fruit. So a tree full of leaves gave the illusion that fruit would be there. But this one had nothing. It had the appearance of life, but no actual fruit. And Jesus used it as a visible parable to warn of the danger of having spiritual appearances ces without spiritual substance.
It’s possible to look alive, sound spiritual, even be busy with church or ministry - yet be inwardly barren.
Paul warns young Timothy of such people in 2 Timothy 3:5, essentially saying that in the last days, people will act religious but reject the power that could truly change them. They’ll love themselves, chase pleasure, and look good on the outside, but their hearts will be far from God. Paul says to stay away from these people.
Mark 11:15-17 - A Temple Full of Activity, But No Worship
Immediately after the fig tree incident, Jesus enters the temple in Jerusalem - and finds something similar. Instead of worship and prayer, He finds commerce, chaos, and exploitation. Moneychangers filled the Court of the Gentiles, blocking access and turning worship into transaction.
Jesus cleanses the temple, flipping tables and driving out merchants - not in uncontrolled anger, but in righteous zeal. This wasn’t the first time he did this either, see John 2:13-17.
Why does Mark place this scene between the two parts of the fig tree story? Because they interpret each other. The fig tree represents Israel’s religions life, and the temple, is the center of that system. Together, they were leafy but fruitless - impressive from a distance, but failing in their purpose.
Mark 11:20-21 - A Tree Withered from the Roots
The next morning, the disciples noticed the fig tree had withered - from the roots up. It’s not just cosmetic damage. It’s death at the source. That’s what happens when we settle for appearance without fruit, or form without faith - eventually, the reality underneath gets exposed.
Fruitlessness isn’t a surface issue. It’s a root issue. The tree looked fine yesterday, but its decay was already underway - hidden until now.
The sobering truth is that God isn’t looking for religious show. He’s looking for hearts that are alive and abiding in Him.
John 15:8 - “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
Takeaway:
God isn’t impressed by outward appearance - He’s looking for genuine fruit that comes from a heart rooted in Him.
So, today, ask yourself:
Am I living a life that just looks good from a distance, or is there real, lasting fruit growing from my walk with Jesus?
Heavenly Father, search my heart and reveal anything that’s just for show. I don’t want to look alive - I want to be alive in You. Grow in me the kind of fruit that pleases You: love, humility, obedience, and truth. Help me to stay rooted in Your Word and connected to Your heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
