Mark 11:12-14, 20-21
Jesus curses a fig tree because He was hungry and it gave Him no fruit. It's hard to explain because it clearly states that it was not the season for figs. It appears He's being unreasonable. However, today, I saw a connection of this incident with the parable He told in the following chapter, Mark 12:1-11.
Here, He tells the story of a vineyard owner who sends his servants "that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers." Again, He's looking for fruit. At the end of the parable in verse 12, it says that the religious leaders who heard the parable knew "He had spoken the parable against them." They were the vinedressers who refused to give Him what He was looking for.
The fig tree is Israel, and they had not produced the fruit God purposed for them to produce. All they had produced was religion, a life of works. God was looking for a people of faith who carried God's heart of compassion who would bring healing to the nations.
God is looking for fruit in us. What is He asking of you? He asked me to write a book, but I did not want to. At first, I did because I love to write, but the publishing world is so difficult to deal with that the process almost takes all the joy out of writing, and I've been burned badly more than once. But I knew if I did not publish this book, Fear Not, I would be disobedient. God was so patient and encouraging! So I want to encourage you to do what God is asking you to do. He will help you overcome your fears!
He is "hungry" and we can bless Him by our obedience.
Jesus curses a fig tree because He was hungry and it gave Him no fruit. It's hard to explain because it clearly states that it was not the season for figs. It appears He's being unreasonable. However, today, I saw a connection of this incident with the parable He told in the following chapter, Mark 12:1-11.
Here, He tells the story of a vineyard owner who sends his servants "that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers." Again, He's looking for fruit. At the end of the parable in verse 12, it says that the religious leaders who heard the parable knew "He had spoken the parable against them." They were the vinedressers who refused to give Him what He was looking for.
The fig tree is Israel, and they had not produced the fruit God purposed for them to produce. All they had produced was religion, a life of works. God was looking for a people of faith who carried God's heart of compassion who would bring healing to the nations.
God is looking for fruit in us. What is He asking of you? He asked me to write a book, but I did not want to. At first, I did because I love to write, but the publishing world is so difficult to deal with that the process almost takes all the joy out of writing, and I've been burned badly more than once. But I knew if I did not publish this book, Fear Not, I would be disobedient. God was so patient and encouraging! So I want to encourage you to do what God is asking you to do. He will help you overcome your fears!
He is "hungry" and we can bless Him by our obedience.