Does Monk Ever Get Better? (And what does that have to do with a fig tree?”)

Will and I are nearing the end of season 6 of Monk. He’s been in therapy with his psychiatrist, Dr. Koger for 10 years now, three days a week, every week and there’s no evidence of improvement. Dr. Koger must be the worst psychiatrist in history.

I wouldn’t recommend him.

He seems like a nice guy, but after 1500 hours of one on one counseling with Monk, Monk has shown no signs of improvement, no personal growth.

This made me think about the fig tree. The one Jesus cursed.

“The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.” Mark‬ ‭11:12-14‬.

Let me first say that I don’t think Jesus was upset with the fig tree. I think He used it metaphorically to teach the disciples and us a lesson. The fig tree had leaves which is normally an indication of fruit. But despite appearances, it was fruitless. Jesus isn’t a fan of facades. He once called the Pharisees “whitewashed tombs” because they looked beautifully religious on the outside but on the inside were filled with dead, dry bones. Matthew 23:27. As Christians we are to bear fruit. Love others. Disciple others. Do good deeds. James said that faith without deeds is dead faith. James 2:26.

The other part of the fig story I think is important is that it states it wasn’t the season for figs. It gave the appearance of fruit, but it was out of season. The warning I got from the Holy Spirit is that as Believers there is no time to be out of season. We should always bear fruit. I’m guilty of excusing myself at times by saying that we “all go through different seasons”. I’m glad that God is more faithful than I am.

As Christians we have direct access to God. His Spirit lives in us. We can talk to Him. We can read His Word to learn more about Him and that knowledge should lead to a greater love for Him and His people which results in good works.

God isn’t like Dr. Koger. We can’t spend that much time in His presence and remain unchanged.