Matthew 21:18-32
On the road to Jerusalem the Lord performs a miracle, which is not as usual a miracle of loving pity, but a warning sign of the judgment about to fall on the people. Consider the fig tree: nothing but leaves! All the outward forms of piety, but not a single fruit! This was the condition of Israel . . . and it is that of all nominal Christians! This miracle is the occasion for the Lord Jesus to recall to His disciples the all-prevailing power of the prayer of faith.
Then He again enters the temple, where the elders of the people challenge His authority. By His question, the Lord gives them to understand that they are incapable of recognising that authority if they have not first recognised the mission of John the Baptist. Like the second son in the parable (vv. 28-30), the leaders of the people made outward profession that they were accomplishing the will of God. But in reality that will was a dead letter to them (Titus 1:16). By contrast, others who were formerly rebellious, notorious sinners repented after hearing the voice of John, and afterwards accomplished God’s will. Children of Christian parents, we risk being overtaken to heaven by those people for whom at present we may have only scorn or condescension (see Matthew 20:16). Think how great is our responsibility!