From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God. Self cannot satisfy self. We must hunger for God.
This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God. Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.
“Early in the morning, as he 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.”
—Matthew 21:18-19
“In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remember and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look!’ The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
—Mark 11:20-21
Day 18: Fasting Fruitless Faith
Jesus curses a fig tree. It’s strange because all of his miracles are of a healing nature, yet he curses this tree and it dies. In the text, the Greek word for “curse” is ‘kataraomai’ and it is used only four other times in the New Testament: 1) the goats are cursed in a parable found in Matthew 25:41; 2) we are taught the necessity of loving those who curse us in Luke 6:28; 3) we must bless and not curse those who persecute us; and 4) we need to address the sin of a tongue that blesses and curses in James 3:9-10.
Jesus makes a point of a bad thing—receiving the curse of God for living a fruitless life. The withering fig tree demonstrates Christ’s authority and is symbolic of Israel and the fate that awaits a fruitless nation and lifeless or barren religious leaders. Jesus was looking at the tree with expectation and it was green and lush, but it had absolutely no fruit: No ripe, no unripe, no budding….nothing.
Today we will fast a fruitless faith, because we know God desires that his image bearers reveal the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Jesus is not looking for lip service, he is looking for fruit in his worshipers. The religious leaders in Israel were teaching human rules and their hearts were far from God; they had the appearance of faith but were barren. We do not need to pretend to love God. We need to open our hearts up and make ourselves vulnerable to his love. Before we know it, the Spirit will begin producing in us the beautiful eternal character of our Christ.
John 17:1-5 NLT The Prayer of Jesus
1 After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. 2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for praying for us and giving us eternal life. We want to know you and serve you in sincerity of heart. Please work within us and help us to bear the righteous fruit of the Spirit. We know it is possible, because you cannot lie. If we are not producing fruit it is a problem in us. So bring the conviction, correction, and revelation we need to bring you glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.