We do not usually think that Jesus would do anything destructive; we think of His healings, the power over the storm, and turning water into wine. On all those occasions He was demonstrating His divine power to create and recreate, to undo the ravages of evil and bring new joy. But this passage is different. Jesus sees an unproductive fig tree and curses it so that it would never again bear fruit. His words had an even greater effect because it was subsequently found to be dead with withered leaves.
 
Israel had been planted by God. Over many centuries, God's people had largely rejected Him; and soon the Son of God would also be rejected, as prophesied in Isaiah 53:3. How long should God be patient with His people (Genesis 6:3)? Jesus used this useless fig tree to demonstrate that God would not indefinitely tolerate spiritual fruitlessness. The curse to remain barren also deprived the tree of its purpose, to bear figs, and so it withered and died.
 
Israel had not chosen to love the Lord their God: if they had, they would have been fruitful, but they were not. The religious leaders who represented the people before God did not did not recognise the character of God in Jesus Christ, nor did they attribute His wonderful miracles to the power of God. Instead they said he was demonised; they cursed Him and wanted Him dead. In this acted parable with the fig tree, Jesus said that He would have the last word: He had the right to issue the final curse.
 
Despite the apparent 'success' of some religious people today, God is looking for spiritual fruit. He is seeking new believers, discipled believers, serving believers; believers who are transformed in their minds and hearts ... and who lead the people around them to seek Christ and His kingdom. He is not looking for more religious activity but for the transforming results of Christ's life in repentant sinners, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Many will appeal to Him on the basis of what they have done for Him, but He will judge on how much they have let Him do in them and through them (Matthew 7:21-22). It is a sobering wake-up call to religious people who are spiritually unfruitful.