THE TIME OF FIGS

J. M. TUTT, M.D.

On the way from Bethany to Jerusalem, his objective point being the temple, Jesus found himself hungry. And seeing a fig tree in full leaf, he drew near, hoping to find fruit. Instead of figs wherewith to satisfy his hunger, however, he found nothing but leaves. Whereupon Jesus condemned the tree; and, its useless and barren life exposed, it presently withered, as Mark says, even from the roots. The apostle, in seeming attempt to justify the fig tree in its failure to meet the requirement of the Master, comments that "the time of figs was not yet." Now a study of the fig tree discloses the fact that it puts forth its fruit invariably before its leaves. In fact, the fig itself, having first made its appearance, is followed by the leaves, and when the fruit has quite fully grown, it is found to contain in its center a great number of minute white flowers, thus giving rise to the common belief that the fig tree does not really blossom at all. Jesus, therefore, seeing the tree in leaf, without regard to the season, reasonably expected to find fruit also.

The measure of success of any Christian or any church is based upon spiritual activity. If the individual or the church in any field be seen to put forth leaves, reaching out in splendor of seeming growth, and be found lacking in the fruit of the healing ministry, there can for such be no escape from the condemnation of divine justice in the plea: For the time of figs is not yet. The fruit of the Spirit, as enumerated by Paul, must be brought forth and first. Nor can success follow the attempted reversal of this divine order. The time of figs is now. Our Leader says in Science and Health (p. 55): "The time for the reappearing of the divine healing is throughout all time."

How beautifully does the fruitful fig tree typify the church active in Truth! Fruitage before foliage; works of love,—healing the sick, casting out evil, raising the dead in trespasses and sins to newness of life in Christ, such glorious fruitage, always preceding the outward manifestation of luxurious foliage, as expressed in beautiful edifices, large congregations, and services that are in truth benedictions, under whose shade the weary and sick and sin-laden rest!

When the disciples wondered at the destruction of the fig tree, Jesus said: "Have faith in God." He who has the spirit of the good Samaritan, whose daily doing is good and true, is not found wanting when the call to service comes from the Master; and he said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Mrs. Eddy has written these immortal lines: "To live and let live, without clamor for distinction or recognition; to wait on divine Love; to write truth first on the tablet of one's own heart,—this is the sanity and perfection of living, and my human ideal" (Messages to The Mother Church, p. 76). To be found in simple faith, trustful and trustworthy, bearing the fruit of love and good works, is to have earned the "Well done, thou good and faithful servant;" then, from the blessings of all these things added, arises the perfume of the fragrant blossoming of a heart of peace.

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