Fig Trees

I don’t know how a fig tree came to grow in my back yard, but it did.  It got so large this year that Marilyn and I trimmed it up to provide good shade over the swing set that the grandkids play on.  The tree was so out of control it took 2 weekends to make it manageable, and to fit the trimmings in the yard waste bin!  

The fig tree has rather large, broad leaves and long, droopy branches when left unattended.  The tree would make a good place to hide, if one was so inclined.  I thought about this fact while reading today’s Gospel (John 1: 45-51).

When Philip tells Nathaniel 

"We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,

and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth”, 

Nathaniel replies, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?"

To me, it sounds like Nathaniel is a bit skeptical.  He wonders if Philip is just a bit naive.  

Then, Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him."  Remember, the two men have never met—Philip wants to introduce them to one another. So when Jesus describes Nathanael’s innermost character before even hearing his name, he asks Jesus, "How do you know me?" 

Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."

At this, Nathanael no longer needs any convincing from Philip!   “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!”

When Jesus said He saw Nathaniel under the fig tree, He probably did actually see him under a fig tree.  But I think the fig tree could also represent the cloud of doubt and pessimism Nathaniel showed when he dismissed the man from Nazareth so disdainfully.  When Nathaniel realizes he can’t hide his heart or his mind from God, he determines Jesus to be, in fact, the Son of God.

I think there’s a lesson in this Gospel for all of us.  We can try to hide our sins, our doubts, and our fears from God under the fig trees in our hearts and minds, but Jesus still sees us!  And when we trim away all the useless and harmful leaves and branches to realize He only wants us to love Him and one another without fear or shame or boundaries, we will see more beauty and peace than our limited minds can handle in this life.