And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
- And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
- Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
- And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Beneath the leaves, no fruits to find,
A tree stands cursed, its fate entwined.
Symbol of those who claim but lack,
The love and deeds they sorely lack.
Pretensions high, roots shallow spread,
A warning to us all, echoed dread.
To bear our fruits, in love and deed,
Lest barren we stand, ignoring need.
For not in claims of faith we rest,
But in our works, our love expressed.
Let not our era echo past,
With faith that blooms, in deeds to last.