Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sabbath, December 15, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-12-15-2018

This is devotional thought number 18 in our devotional series, “The Gospel According to Matthew.”

“And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.” (Matthew 21:19)

One morning, Jesus and His disciples journeyed from Bethany, and Jesus was hungry. When He saw a fig tree with just leaves and no fruit, He cursed the tree; no fruit would ever grow on it, and it withered. Why would Christ do such a harsh thing just because the tree had no fruit on it? He often taught His companions lessons from nature, and this time was no exception. “Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21:21, 22). Judging by Jesus’ words, the most apparent lesson that He taught his disciples was regarding faith. He said that if they prayed in faith, their prayers would be answered.

Apart from the immediate lesson was another. Fig trees, like other trees, showed certain signs of fruit bearing. Leaves, of a certain color, were a precursor of producing fruit. When the leaves of that color were present, the fruit also was to be present. When Jesus came to the tree, it had a pretense of fruit-bearing, so He cursed it. His actions were not motivated by some childish temper tantrum. This action by Christ bears out His lesson in the parable of the fig tree. “He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?” (Luke 13:6, 7). We are to abide in Christ and bear much fruit (John 15). When we do not bear good fruit, it is a signal that we have not chosen to remain attached to Him. So many of us, like the fruitless fig tree, show a pretense of fruit, but when closely examined, it is apparent that we have none. This is not acceptable to God. His will for us is that we have a good relationship with Him and receive the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5).

Do you sense that you are cumbering the ground in God’s vineyard? Do you simply do many of the right things outwardly, but bear no real fruit? The Lord is still in the business of making His people genuine fruit-bearers for His kingdom. Not only is He willing to endow us with the fruit of the Spirit, but He would also have us bring, as a result of our bearing fruit, other souls into His kingdom. Pray that the Lord will perform His will in our lives and make us true fruit-bearers. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:4, 5).

This has been the gospel according to Matthew. Be transformed by it.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)

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