The Story of Jesus
Yesterday Jesus was so fed up with the religiosity of the day, that he showed his disgust by turning over tables in order to make room for the blind and crippled by life to come into His House. Early the next morning, he is hungry (the man part of God on earth), sees a leafy fig tree with no figs, and curses it to death! Is Jesus still sad and angry over yesterday’s insult to greedy people making God’s House of Prayer a mockery, with no room for those who need God? Is He still reeling from seeing The Temple look good on the outside but dingy and dirty with greed on the inside? Maybe.
Jesus uses EVERYTHING in our lives to teach us and to remind us Who to trust as we walk this journey. He keeps us on our toes when it comes to having a solid faith in the One who loves us most and can do anything. Yes, Anything. So, why do we still have doubts? We are human. We allow the waters of life to overwhelm us and we are afraid we will drown. I wonder what would happen if we truly embraced what God has in store for us with NO doubts or fears? Can we tell the mountain of fear, “Go jump in the lake”? Lay hold of God.
What could we accomplish, dear Lord, if there was no fear on my part in doing what You asked? Mm.
Matthew 21, Msg
The Withered Fig Tree
18-20 Early the next morning Jesus was returning to the city. He was hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree alongside the road, he approached it anticipating a breakfast of figs. When he got to the tree, there was nothing but fig leaves. He said, “No more figs from this tree—ever!” The fig tree withered on the spot, a dry stick. The disciples saw it happen. They rubbed their eyes, saying, “Did we really see this? A leafy tree one minute, a dry stick the next?”
21-22 But Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you’ll tell, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God.”
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask the same question, What could we accomplish, dear Lord, if there was no fear on my part in doing what You asked? This thought actually excites me! We repent of allowing fear to overcome us for that is evil working to stop your work within us. Continue to teach us to walk the path you have chose for each of us. I don’t want to be a “dry stick”. Thank you, dear Lord. To You be all glory, honor and praise for moving the mountains in our lives.
In Jesus Name, Amen
