08  February

THE FIG TREE DIED

“In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, 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.” (Matthew 21:18-19, NLT)

The fig tree is peculiar in that it bears fruit without visible flowers and begins to form its first crop of figs before the leaves appear. So, the presence of full leaves on a tree would indicate that the fig fruits are already there and ripening.

The fig tree in our text had leaves but no figs. It was not fulfilling its purpose of bearing fruit for food and healing. Jesus spoke the Word and the fig tree died. People see you go to church, pray and follow other routines of a Christian. In your family, in your business dealings, to your domestic servants, those you meet casually along life’s journey, do you bear fruits or are you, to them, all leaves?

ACTION:  Since walls and ceilings will be called as witnesses on the Day of Judgement, what necessary adjustments are you making to receive commendation and not condemnation?

PRAYER: Oh Lord, I will abide in you, please make me fruitful.