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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 (Mark 11:12-13 NIV).
On the second day while going into Jerusalem, Jesus saw a fig tree ahead and being hungry he went to the fig tree. A fig tree grows its leaves after the figs appear and since there were leaves on the tree, Jesus figured there would be figs. But when He got to the tree, He saw no figs.
The tree was supposed to bear fruit, but it was a fruitless fig tree. It was useless. It was a waste. It was unproductive. It had a purpose, but it wasn’t fulfilling it. It was taking up space. It had the look. It had leaves growing, but it had no figs. It had the appearance of a fig tree, and from the appearance it should have been bearing the fruit. It appeared to be a healthy fruitful tree but in all actuality, it was a barren tree with no fruit. Therefore, Jesus became angry and cursed the tree saying, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again” (Mark 11:14 NIV).
Like the fig tree the religious leaders had failed to bear fruit, good fruit. They failed to fulfill their purpose, which was to lead the children of Israel to God, and be Godly examples. They were hypocrites who opposed everything that Jesus did. They were evil and they opposed good, and like the fig tree, Jesus would pronounce doom on the religious leaders who were fruitless (Matt. 23).
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either” (Matt. 23:13, NLT).
Are we like this fig tree? Are we in a position ─ in a place to bear fruit, but are fruitless? Do we have the appearance of a fruitful tree, but we’re useless? Are we looking the part (dress up like a Christian), but inside we are imposters? When Jesus looks at us, what does He see?
The fig tree’s purpose was to bear fruit, good fruit. It was created to give nourishment to others. But the fig tree was not fulfilling its purpose. Jesus was expecting to receive nourishment from the fig tree, but he received nothing. As Christians, we must bear much fruit, good fruit (Gal. 5:22-23).
Ponder on this. If Jesus showed up at our doorsteps today, would He find us fulfilling our purpose? Would He find us being fruitful ─ bearing good fruit? My sister, let us be fruitful for Christ! Know and fulfill our purposes by bearing good (much) fruit that will honor and glorify God (John 15:8).
REFLECTION
I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you]. Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. (John 15:1-5, AMP).
Encouraging You to Walk in Freedom! ™
Excerpt from Walking in Freedom: The Week He Changed Everything. A Seven Day Devotional Guide to Remembering Jesus’ Sacrifice for our Freedom by Rhovonda L. Brown. Copyright 2015 by Rhovonda L. Brown.
*COMING SOON! Soon you’ll be able to enjoy Rhovonda’s tribute to Easter ebook.
Copyright ©2010-2015. Rhovonda L. Brown. All Rights Reserved
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