Lent Day 33

Matthew 21: 18-19

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.  Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered

A fig tree was a source of food in Israel.  As it produces leaves in the spring the figs will grow.  This tree was full of leaves but had no fruit.   Jesus was hungry and when he saw the tree full of leaves from a distance, he thought it would have something to eat, but was disappointed to find there was no fruit.  He cursed the tree and it immediately withered by the power of His command.   

This seems like a random act of frustration or anger on the part of Jesus but He intended his actions to make a statement about the temple and the people of Israel.  Because the tree was full of leaves it also should have been full of fruit.  Jesus’ words to the tree were intended to be symbolic of the nation of Israel.  He was pointing out the hypocrisy of those that appear to live their lives for Him, but have no effect for His kingdom on others.     

There are several things we can learn from this. 

1)            Just as the fig tree is expected to bear fruit, so are we as believers in Christ.  We choose to receive Christ’s blessing and therefore also take on the responsibility of living a life in Him to share with others. 

2)            We can live a life that superficially reflects a life of Christ.  Our lives can appear to be a life of faith, possibly fooling ourselves and others, but genuine faith is one that is productive in the lives of others.  This is the live Jesus expects of us.  He comes to us with His offer of salvation, and He expects to find fruit in our lives.   Hopefully we are living a life that does not disappoint Him.  

3)            A life lived with only the appearance of faith will wither away as the fig tree did.   An appearance of faith is only that, an appearance.  It may look pleasing to us for a while, but a faith with no principle, no firm root in Christ will eventually come to nothing.  The gifts of that person will wither, the credit of that person’s character will decline, and the true nature of that person will be seen by all.   

Jesus gave this example to the disciples to help them distinguish between a life of genuine faith and superficial faith and His expectation of us to be genuine.   Is your life of faith one that is proud and self serving or is it one lived for Him, with the intention of sharing Him with others in thankfulness of His sacrifice?  

Peace and Love,

LeAnn