The Old Testament is different from the New. The first reading seems to suggest that the rewards of  knowing God are to be found in this world. We are alive and praising the Lord because our fathers did so. There is no trace left in the world of the generations who did not live rightly but the righteous are blessed not in heaven but in the here and now. 

Jesus throughout his teaching insists that his kingdom is not of this world. The real, not in a parable, fig tree arouses some sympathy for it was not in season and so could not have been expected to have fruit. Here we see the humanity of our Lord as the poor tree gets blasted  because Jesus is hungry. After that we see the human nature again which in anger lashes out at the merchants who by making money are making a mockery of the holiness that should be there in the world's only place of true worship.

Jesus told the Pharisees that the only sign that they could expect was the "sign of Jonah" The withered fig tree seems to contradict this but Jesus uses it to reinforce his teachings about true belief; if we have faith we will move mountains. Not only faith but also forgiveness in our hearts so that Our Father in heaven, which is not some remote geographical location but a" being with God", can forgive us and welcome us into his domain which is not of this world.

Dear Lord you know what it is that I need. Please this day let me stay aware of your Glory and I hope that I can do something that makes you delight in me.