Read Mark 10.46-11.26
Verses chosen for devotion - Mark 11:12-14, 20-25
“On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.”
Mark 11:12-14 ESV
“As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.””
Mark 11:20-25 ESV
Reflect
There’s a saying that a hungry man is an angry man. Is that the case for Jesus who cursed the fig tree for not producing fruits to satisfy His hunger? And indeed when Jesus and His disciple passed by in the morning the fig tree has already withered. One also finds it hard to fathom why Jesus would use His power for such trivial matters, after all that is not His character too. He uses His power to heal, raise the dead and perform many other miracles for greater good. So why did He curse a fig tree and what has faith and forgiveness (vs 22-25) got to do with this? What is Jesus trying to teach His disciples?
Relate
Very often we were disappointed with the apples we bought from the supermarket that looked so delicious and crunchy just to find out later that it was tasteless and mealy. Likewise for a Christian who appears to be spiritually mature but turns out to be spiritually fruitless, merciless and faithless.
I could draw from the lessons of the fig tree that Jesus taught us in 2 parts.
Fruitless is useless
If a fig tree is fruitless it is basically useless as it does not serve its purpose. Hence the curse of Jesus that caused the tree to wither. It is a message not just to the disciples but also to all of us Christians today. No matter how good or righteous our outward appearances are, if we do not bear the fruit of the spirit, we will not serve the purpose that God has for us. Just like the fig tree that has much leaves (outward appearance) but does not bear any fruit, it will only end up being cursed and withered. Matthew 3:10 further reinforces that - Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Fruit of the spirit
Jesus taught His disciples and us today to bear much fruits. He mentioned about being faithful and forgiving. These are the attributes of the fruit of the spirit - Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. As we struggle in a world that is full of challenges and disappointments it is very difficult to hold on to our faith and to remain steadfast. But Jeremiah 17:7-8 taught us that “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Rest
“When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul”
Lyrics - It Is Well with My Soul
Alan Wong
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