Day1
Mark11:12-14
“The next day, as he left Bethany, Jesus was feeling hungry. He noticed a leafy fig tree in the distance, so he walked over to see if there was any fruit on it, but there was none—only leaves (for it wasn’t yet the season for bearing figs). Jesus spoke to the fig tree, saying, “No one will ever eat fruit from you again!” And the disciples overheard him.”
Mark 11:12-14 TPT
Cross references
Matthew 21:18–19, Matthew 4:2, Luke 13:6–9, Matthew 21:19
Seeing. A closer look.
I always wondered why Jesus would expect to find figs on a fig tree when they weren’t in season.
He could see from far off that there were leaves. He took a closer look and discovered that there were no figs.
A fig tree develops the fruit at the same time as the leaves. There should have been fruit on that tree.
He wasn’t looking for a snack. He was looking for an illustration of faith.
He knew the figs wouldn’t be ripe or ready for harvest, but He also knew that the fruit should be visible on the tree.
Have you heard the expression, “Be patient. God isn’t finished with me yet.”?
It wasn’t harvest time yet, but there should be fruit on the tree.
Where is your faith?
A mustard seed size faith produces a great tree with many branches for birds (people)to find shade.(refuge). (Mark 4:30-32)
We should have evidence that we believe.
From afar it may appear that you are a Christian, but upon close inspection, is there fruit? Is there love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
According to the parable in Luke 13:6-9, a fruitless tree depletes the soil and should be cut down. The merciful vinedresser( the Holy Spirit) pleads for another chance to dig around the tree and fertilize it.
I read a book recently that made the statement, “failure is fertilizer.”
We are to be fruit inspectors. Inspect your tree and see if you need some digging. Allow the Holy Spirit to transform your failures into fertilizer.
Don’t give up. Use the mistakes and failures you have experienced to fertilize your future.
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