Tuesday of Holy Week Sermon: Faith That Bears Fruit

Scripture: Matthew 21:18-22 WEB
Now in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry. [19] Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit from you forever!” Immediately the fig tree withered away. [20] When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree immediately wither away?” [21] Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it would be done. [22] All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

On His way back into the city, Jesus is hungry and approaches a fig tree full of leaves. Yet when He inspects it, He finds no fruit. In a surprising and sobering act, He curses the tree, and it withers. To modern ears, this might seem harsh or puzzling, but it carries a weighty spiritual lesson—one that Jesus immediately connects to faith and prayer.

This fig tree was outwardly vibrant, full of green leaves and life. But it bore no fruit. In the same way, our lives can be filled with activity, religious appearance, and good intentions—yet lacking in the actual fruit of godliness: love, justice, mercy, forgiveness, and truth.

Jesus is calling us to examine the authenticity of our faith. Do our lives bear fruit? Are we rooted in God, or merely displaying leaves without substance?

This passage is not just about judgment—it is also about power. Jesus goes on to teach the disciples about the power of faith. “If you have faith and do not doubt…even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done.” He invites us to trust in God wholeheartedly. Real, living faith is not only visible through fruit, but is also powerful in prayer.

So today, Holy Tuesday invites us to a twofold reflection: First, a self-examination: Am I bearing fruit in my life that reflects my faith in Christ? Or am I hiding behind leaves—outward signs of spirituality without deep, rooted transformation? Second, a call to deeper faith: Jesus invites us to believe that what seems impossible can be done through God. Our prayers, when rooted in faith, can move mountains.

The fig tree withered quickly, and that can feel like a warning—but it’s also an opportunity. The time to bear fruit is now. Holy Week is a time of repentance and renewal. Let Jesus speak to your soul. Let Him prune and nourish you. Let your faith come alive again.

Application: Take stock of your spiritual life today. What kind of fruit is growing from your relationship with God? If you sense emptiness or dryness, don’t hide it—bring it to Jesus in prayer. Ask Him to renew your faith and make it fruitful.

Prayer: Lord, I don’t want to be a tree full of leaves but lacking in fruit. Help me to live a life that reflects Your goodness and grace. Strengthen my faith, and teach me to pray with trust. Let my life bear fruit for Your glory. Amen.

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