Seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, Jesus went to find out if there was anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season for figs. (Mark 11:13)
As Jesus prepared Himself for what was to come (His crucifixion) one of His chief concerns in this passage seems to be one of TRUE WORSHIP. Although the people misunderstood the exact meaning of His triumphal entry (they hoped He would overthrow the Roman government and reestablish the Davidic kingdom) their worship of Jesus was in fact sincere. They were adoring and praising Him. The example of the cleansing of the temple of merchants, sandwiched by the events of the fruitless fig tree demonstrates how the people of Jerusalem got caught up in “church life” — the rituals and the religious culture that they forgot the main thing — the worship of God. They did all the peripheral things but missed the point of it all. When that happened they lost their way. They exhibited all the attributes of a fig tree but were fruitless. In other words they looked like Christians on the outside — went to church, prayed, paid their tithes, etc, but their hearts were far from God (Matthew 15:8).
A true believer and follower of Jesus on the other hand has a transformed heart, one whose actions and character mirror those of his Hero. Attributes like holiness, compassion, kindness and humility, righteous anger and faith, stalwart defense of God’s reputation, and a desire to be with Him are all evidence of fruit.
So ask yourself, REALLY ASK YOURSELF, this question: “Am I a fruitful or fruitless fig tree?”
…If you struggle with fruitlessness in your life
…If your Christian life bears little to no resemblance to Christ
…If your faith does not affect and change those around you (even yourself) you need two things:
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REPENT. Submit to Christ and pray for God to change you from the inside out. Ask Him to give you a deeper understanding of the Gospel, of your negligence and often willful sinful behavior, and of the amazing grace that He gives you in spite of what you deserve. ”But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” ~1 John 1:9
- BELIEVE. James 1:6-7 says that we should ask in faith and believe God to answer, and not doubt for the one who doubts “is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”
With the LORD he is always concerned about the heart. So whatever you do, be it worship, repentance, faith, or works do it from the heart, from the depths of your being, with 100% intentionality and commitment. This is what pleases Him, and also what leads to a fruitful life.