Cursing of The Fig Tree

Remember in Mark 11:12 when Jesus is walking out of a Bethany, is hungry, sees a fig tree off in a distance, walks to it to eat, finds it is barren (had no figs) and then curses it? Which we find later to have withered from the root up in verse 20.

Well, until today I found it almost a temper tantrum kind of passage. And I’m not sure why I did because our Lord and Savior wouldn’t retaliate in sin but I guess my ears and eyes weren’t ready to be opened yet.

But today he opened them.

Essentially the fig tree was false advertising. You see a fig tree only has leaves if it has figs. If it doesn’t have figs it shouldn’t have leaves.

So it was all leaves and no figs.

Jesus cursed the tree as an example to us and to Israel. He was warning to not just have the outward form, or just the appearance of having fruit but to also have fruit it self. He wasn’t cursing the tree because it didn’t have fruit but because it professed to have fruit but did not. It was all talk and not walk - all leaves and no fruit.

I also read that this is Jesus’ only destructive miracle. There were a lot of destructive miracles on the Old Testament but Jesus only had this one. So we should see this miracle with great importance. Are we all leaves and no fruit? Do we profess or give off the appearance to have fruit but really our lives are barren?

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Importants of Mercy

Sometimes I like to get out my very first bible ever. The NLT application study bible. Some people don’t like the NLT translation as much because of how it doesn’t translate as accurately but I love it. It’s verbaige in many passages simplifies the text for me. Helps give me an overall understanding. Then if I want to know deeper, I dive into my NIV or ESV. Anyways, NLT has helped me lots with Romans 9.

Today, in my study it talked about Jacob and Esau. When it uses these two names it references the individuals and the nations as a whole. Jacob was a father of the Israelites and Esau the Edomites. In this passage Paul speaks to God’s sovereign choice to use Jacob the younger brother over Esau. It was His will. It was not the works of anything good or bad that the brothers (twins) did which is referenced in verse 11 but the will or election of God.

In the study portion of the NLT bible it speaks to the importance God’s will and mercy in our faith and I wanted to share it below.

Study Application Point:

The fallacy of gaining salvation by human effort remains as strong as ever-people still think good intentions are the key to unlocking the door to eternal life. By the time they get to try the lock, they will find that their key does not fit.

Others imagine that their efforts are building an invisible ladder to Heaven made up of service, family, position, reputation, good works, and desire, although none of these rungs will support a feather. People are so busy trying to reach God that they completely miss the truth that God has already reached down to them. We cannot earn God‘s mercy- if we could, it would not be mercy.

The NT over and over again (especially the apostle paul) speaks to the importance of faith. Faith over works. Faith over the law. We are saved by faith and faith alone. And it is because of God’s mercy for us that we are saved.

Often times we overlook familiar words. But these words should always be at the forefront of the Christian faith along with the work of our Savior. Fix your eyes and thoughts here today: Truth, Grace, Mercy, Faith.

Truth, Grace, Mercy, Faith.

Focus on the Big

We know God is a God who cares about things big and small right?  So let’s just put this out there right away. Especially remember this when we get to the end.  But I was hit with this reading and commentary and wanted to share.

I dove into Roman’s 9 today.  Our pastor preached on it and I’m not going to lie; my head was spinning and I realized I was lost.  I wasn’t familiar with this passage at all.  But Roman’s 9 addressed God’s sovereign choice and selection of Israel. He uses their history past in the OT to explain.  But what hit me most was Paul’s intro into this hard passage and it challenged me.  Let me explain.

Roman’s 8 is one of the greatest passages ever written.  Not in just my mind but in many.  One commentator wrote.  “Paul left us at the summit of glory, assuring us that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. So why has Paul now become so somber in his tone?”

As our pastor explained.  It’s a lament.  Paul finishes Roman’s 8 in a high of highs declaring the sovereign glory but then realizes his brethren is not there to share in this glory.  He speaks of Israel as a whole rejecting salvation but it’s personal too.  The ones he grew up with in synagogue school.  His teachers.  Friends.  Maybe even his family.  His beloved Israelites are not there to share in this beautiful glory of salvation. So he speaks with great love.  He even declares that he would give up his life so they could be saved.  This great sorrow is Israel’s salvation was on Paul’s heart as he continues to write.  It was a big problem. 

Which brings me to my challenge.  Charles Spurgeon’s quote.

“This great passion for souls gave Paul perspective. Lesser things did not trouble him because he was troubled by a great thing – the souls of men. “Get love for the souls of men – then you will not be whining about a dead dog, or a sick cat, or about the crotchets of a family, and the little disturbances that John and Mary may make by their idle talk. You will be delivered from petty worries (I need not further describe them) if you are concerned about the souls of men... Get your soul full of a great grief, and your little griefs will be driven out.” (Spurgeon)

I realize pets have taken a greater value in families so take out that part and look at the overall challenge.  Then think about today’s world.  Do we have petty worries?  Petty arguments and grieves?  I can think of so many that our world has made into big issues.  What if we did exactly what Paul did? - Let the big issue “souls of our friends” trouble us rather than lesser worries. 

Take out your NLT Bible or pull that version up on your phone and reread just verses 1-3. Are we speaking of lost souls in the same deep sorrow and grief?  Are we willing to give up our life as Paul offers to do so his people would be saved?  Let’s put it another way.  Are we willing to lay down our life as Jesus did for US?

Set the petty worries aside and let the big worries like lost souls consume you this week and motivate you in your actions.  For when we tackle the big troubles like salvation… I’m pretty positive the little worries become less and less.

Change Someone’s World

I loved this quote from Andy Stanley that you see in the image below. It reminded me of what my pastor often talks about with the Ripple Effect. Our actions good and bad may only affect a small circle around us. But that small circle impacts more people and those people impact more people.

Think about this super simple example, if someone does a simple and kind gesture like open the door for you at the coffee shop and greets you with a friendly hello, you’re more likely to take the time to greet the worker at the cash register with a friendly hello and a how do you do, But, if the person opens the door in your face, catches you off guard and doesn’t even notice you and is too busy looking at their phone, you’re more likely to just walk up to the cash register taken back, look directly at the menu, order and not even make eye contact with the worker. Then think about the individual taking your order in each scenario… how are they effected? How do they react?

You guys! This is so true. Your actions have a ripple effect. Let’s make this Friday and into the weekend a weekend of small, beautiful, ripple effects of good. Because as you know, ripples become waves and we want waves of sheer good and awesomeness.

Bible Verses for Worry

I mean, how awesome is this quote!

”worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but it gets you nowhere.”

So good and so true. And we all fall into the downward cycle of worry at different moments in our life. Some more than others. And worry comes in all forms! So we found 5 simples passages to recite and memorize when different worries come a knockin’.

When you feel anxious

Phillipeans 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

When this world feels like too much

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

For a troubled heart

Psalm 55:22

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Worry of the unknown

Psalm 56:3

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Worry and fear

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.