Figs and Faith - February 20
Today’s Readings: Psalm 42, 43, Deut. 7:17-26; Titus 3:1-15; John 1:43-51
At our house in Huntsville, we had two fig trees. One was at the corner of the house by our garage, and the other grew outside our fence at the boundary between our property and our backdoor neighbor, Mr. Dan. Mr. Dan was in his nineties and would get up early in the morning, walk around the block and then across his property, inspecting his garden and lawn. Never did I see a blade of grass out of order in his yard. His home had been one of the first built in the neighborhood, and Mr. Dan had been there for nearly fifty years with his wife Jeanette.
Through the kitchen window one morning, I saw Mr. Dan with a broom, pulling down a branch of our fig tree to pick a ripe fruit that was just out of his reach. Sam had seen him the day prior gathering a few. At one of our over-the-fence chats about the state of our gardens, we invited Mr. Dan to help himself to all the figs he could gather, for they would not last long and there were more than we could eat. I remember looking for figs to give to our kids, for them to try one of the teardrop-shaped fruits. The texture was somewhat foreign, so the sweet purplish-green fruits were more fun to jump on than nibble. While the tree stretched above the roofline, the leaves on the sprawling lower limbs were large and created great shade. The kids preferred hiding under the tree to eating the figs themselves.
In John 1, Philip invites Nathaniel to come see this guy who is the fulfillment of promises from Moses and the prophets. As Nathanael approaches the Nazarene, Jesus remarks “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Odd, right? So, Nathanael says, “Um, how exactly is it that you know me?” Jesus says, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” I imagine Nathanael is stunned and humbled, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
All of this because Jesus said he had a glimpse of Nathanael under the shade of a fig tree. Perhaps he was resting in the cool shadow and eating a rich, fruity snack. And yet, I wonder, what is the power and connection with the fig tree, such that John includes this detail in the story of recruiting Jesus’ followers? In Genesis 1, fig leaves are sewn together as the first clothing for Adam and Eve. In Deuteronomy 8, the Promised Land has spaces of fig trees, for shade and for nourishment. And then, in Micah 4:4, “They shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid.”
Here’s a fun tidbit to chew on, as you are enjoying a Fig Newton today: George Washington often cited this scripture in his writings, perhaps even more than fifty times. There were multiple ways this reference was understood by the first president of the United States. Often, he was referring to the independence of peasants and farmers, freed from military service and fear of British power in the new country created in America – living into their promise of the fullness of life. Washington also wrote these words in a letter to a Hebrew community worshipping in Newport, Rhode Island, as a word of encouragement that their congregation would thrive: “May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants – while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.” In the Broadway production of “Hamilton”, we hear a reiteration of this phrasing in the song One Last Time, as George Washington discloses to Alexander Hamilton that he will not stand for a third term as president. He aspires to go home and find his space of rest, under his own vine and fig tree.
Today, may you find space to reflect and pray under the shade of whatever is a fig tree for you – a space of shelter, nourishment, and promise. As Jesus calls you to follow him, I pray that you leap up and proclaim, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God!”
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
What was a favorite hiding space when you were a kid?
What quiet space do you seek today?
Daily Challenge
Nathanael exhibits skepticism at Jesus, wondering, “What good can come from Nazareth?” What is something about God that you are skeptical about today? Draw near…ask questions to understand more. Sit in prayer about a question you have. Ask God to open your eyes to deeper faith, and shine Christ’s light, so that you may believe.