Matthew 21:18-22
The
Withered Fig Tree
18 Early in
the morning, as he was on his way back to the city,
he was hungry.
19 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.
20 When the disciples saw
this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree
wither so quickly?" they asked.
21 Jesus replied, "I tell
you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt,
not only can you do what was done to the fig tree,
but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw
yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.
22 If you believe, you
will receive whatever you ask for in
prayer."
This
is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change
the way that we think, and the way that we live.
Commentary
by Bob Pardue
Prayer and the
Withered Fig Tree
Sometimes I really hate
religion!
Religion has kept many people
from experiencing the true meaning of becoming and
living the life of a Christian.
People have had bad
experiences in a church and never attended another
one again... A sad situation because a church
building should be a place to worship God and not
an overbearing burden to those who
attend.
Jesus had just left the money
changers when he directed his attention to the fig
tree. Was he angry at the tree? Of course not. He
wanted to make a point to the disciples. Christ
took every incident and used it as an opportunity
for a teaching moment to benefit the disciples, and
us.
The temple had become without
substance, just like the fig tree, looking great on
the outside but nothing real to offer.
We are much like the fig tree
in that we can accept Christ now while there is
time. Later will come judgment. At the final
judgment of God there will be no mercy.
So, when do you believe is
the best time to act? Now, while Jesus is offering
salvation free of charge or later when we face God
in the end?
This message may seem a
little independent in nature and I am not a hell
and brimstone teacher but, the Bible has to be
taken seriously from beginning to end.
So, if you have not done so,
talk to someone you know who is a Christian and ask
how you can accept Jesus as your savior and
redeemer. It's the best thing you will ever do in
your life.
Or, you can read the
paragraph below to learn the steps to everlasting
life.
Love in Christ
- Bob
If you have never made the
commitment to receive the love and life-changing
experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to
go
here and take the
first
steps to salvation.
Verses about Jesus and the fig tree and
religion are from Life Application Study Bible:
New International Version
Jesus curses the fig tree
|
