Day 50: March 17

MATTHEW 21:18-27

SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHTS:  
OBSERVATIONS:
Jesus was hungry and went over to a fig tree, found no fruit on it and then pronounced a curse on it and the tree died. This is a curious act which, if read without context, would leave me to think Jesus was acting like a petulant, angry child who didn’t get his way.

However...
Jesus' actions followed his triumphal entry into Jerusalem where he purged the Temple of religious corruption.  The cursing of the fig tree was a symbolic act; an enacted parable. The OT prophets (Jer.8:13; Hosea 9:10-17) likened Israel’s rebellion to a fig tree which did not bear fruit. By cursing of the tree Jesus was making a statement directed against the religious establishment of Israel for their failure to bear the fruit of righteousness.
 
The disciples were not interested in why Jesus cursed the fig tree but how the tree died suddenly. Jesus responded with a statement about the power of acting in faith and praying in faith. If the disciples would act and pray with faith in Jesus, they would experience the miraculous power of God operating through their lives.
 
The religious leaders approached Jesus and demanded he tell them where his authority came from to do and say the things he did and said. Jesus asked them if John the Baptist authority came from God. They refused to respond because they knew that all the people recognized John as a prophet of God but if they affirmed that they would be implicitly affirming Jesus ministry. Their refusal to answer revealed that their inquiry was disingenuous because their hearts were closed to Jesus and hardened towards God. Jesus said if they were not going to be honest with him he wasn’t going to entertain their question.
 
APPLICATION:
The leaders of Israel had failed to bear fruit, but Jesus came to redeem us and begin God’s new creation through those who believe in Jesus. They will be empowered by the Spirit to pray in faith and act in faith and God will begin to produce fruit in their lives and do miracles through them. Faith is vital, but our faith must always be faith in Jesus, not in the power of positive thinking. Faith must also be aligned with the will of God. It’s time to rise up in faith and throw off doubt! Jesus has come. He has redeemed us from our sins. We are his workmanship recreated to do good works which demonstrate that Jesus reigns!
Just as Jesus did not waste his time and energy on people whose hearts were hard and whose questions were insincere, we need to be discerning of people’s motives.
 
PRAYER:
Lord, thank you that you not only came to expose the sins of the religious leaders, you also came to redeem all whose hearts were open to believe and follow you. Thank you for reminding me that if I walk in faith in you and pray in faith to you, you will answer and make what seems impossible become possible!  Help me to discern the hearts of those I minister to. Help me to never allow myself to get pulled into a posture of defensiveness if I am attacked for speaking your word and doing your will. Show me where and when the devil is trying to distract me with the accusations and criticisms of those whose hearts are hard so I can give my time and energy to those whose hearts are open to you.