As I’m typing this devotion, I’m sitting across from an artificial orchid that’s on the top of my coffee table in our family room. If you were to enter the room, the orchid would be about 12 feet away, and at first sight you might think it’s real. But as you’d get closer, you’d begin to realize that it’s fake.
In today’s passage, Jesus sees a beautiful fig tree full of leaves, which should indicate that it has figs, but as He gets closer there is no fruit on the tree. The tree’s outward appearance was that of being fruitful, but underneath the beautiful foliage was a fruitless tree.
This passage may have been written about the Israelites, who had an outward appearance of a relationship with God, but there was no sign of spiritual fruit within their lives; but, it also applies to Christians today. The Israelites feared illustrating an outward acceptance of Jesus. Do you ever find yourself not wanting to talk about your faith, or fear how your relationship with Christ may be perceived?
Well, our “outside” living for Christ has to be in full alignment with our “inside” living for Christ. Some people like to think these are two different things, but they are truly one in the same. We must get to a point where we do not care what others think, feel, or believe about our relationship with Christ. We can’t worry about that nonsense, because we are called to be bearers of His Fruit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. As we find ourselves in Oneness with Almighty God, living a fruitful life for Him, He calls us to lean on Him in prayer. He truly hears us my friends! Call out to Him today and let Him know how much you love Him, appreciate Him, and truly need Him.
Matthew 21:18-22
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, 19 and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up.
20 The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”
21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. 22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for the work of Your Spirit. Please help us to be fruitful and not fruitless in all that we do. Continue to refine us and allow us to see the power behind prayer. We continue to pray healing over Pastor Mary, please be with her Lord, and fill her family with Your strength. We love You and ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.
Written By: Jen Auer