It Looked Fruitful But Wasn’t | Mark 11:12-14

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Chuck Peter from Roseville, MN. Thank you for standing with us throughout Project 23. You’re helping people move from the appearance of faith to the fruit of it. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 11:12-14:

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. — Mark 11:12-14

At first glance, this seems like one of the most confusing moments in the Gospels. Jesus is hungry. He sees a fig tree full of leaves, promising the possibility of fruit. But when he gets close, there’s nothing. So he curses it.

Why?

Because it looked fruitful from a distance, but had nothing to offer up close. This wasn’t just about a tree. It was a parable in real time. An enacted warning. Jesus was making a point about empty religion.

You see, the fig tree had the appearance of being healthy and vital. But no fruit. Just like the temple he was about to walk into. The temple was full of religious activity, rituals, and noise, but no repentance. No faith. No spiritual nourishment. It was all leaves, no fruit.

Jesus sees through the façade. And he still does.

From a distance, your life could look spiritual. Church attendance. Polite behavior. Christian language. Even Bible reading. But up close and intimate, does your life bear real fruit?

Jesus doesn’t curse the fig tree out of irritation. He curses it to make a statement. He’s not fooled by appearances. Neither is he interested in performance that has no power behind it.

So, stop focusing on looking spiritual. Start cultivating what actually matters—humility, repentance, love, truth, obedience, surrender. Because Jesus doesn’t just want your leaves. He wants your life. And he wants it to be full of fruit.

#RealFaith, #SpiritualFruit, #Mark11

ASK THIS:

1. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?
2. What’s the danger of outward appearances without spiritual depth?
3. Where in your life are you tempted to “fake” fruit?
4. What does real spiritual fruit look like for you this season?

DO THIS:

Ask someone who knows you well: “What kind of fruit do you see in my life?” And really listen.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I don’t want to just look the part. I want to bear real fruit. Expose anything in me that’s all appearance and no substance. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Clear the Stage” by Jimmy Needham.