Live Purposefully

Read

Mark 11:20-21 “In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!’”

John 15:7-8 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

Think

Picture Jesus weaving through the crowded streets from Bethany to Jerusalem during Holy Week. It's a Tuesday, but an event unfolds with a lesson both Jesus and Matthew want us to grasp.

In the biblical backdrop, fig trees symbolize abundance and prosperity. Their delicious fruit isn't just a snack; it's a reason for people to gather and enjoy, like our modern-day rendezvous at coffee shops. So, when Jesus spots a fig tree dressed in leaves, promising fruit but delivering none, his reaction is more than simple disappointment.

This fig tree becomes a metaphor, a picture for our spiritual lives. It's a reminder that our actions and religious displays can be like the leaves, creating an appearance of fruitfulness while lacking depth. Just as the fig tree lacked substance, we might cloak ourselves in religious routines, masking a shallow or even absent connection with God. True faith, as Jesus exemplifies, goes deeper than following rules; it thrives in a profound connection with God's Word and a surrendered heart.

To "abide in Christ" isn't a checkbox; it's an ongoing relationship. It involves more than a nod in Jesus’ direction; it's about constant communication, prayer, and soaking in his Word. This transformative process aligns our will with his, turning our lives into branches deeply rooted in the vine—Jesus himself. The outcome? A natural overflow of spiritual fruit, nourishing and blessing those around us.

Let's aim to be more than trees adorned with leaves, putting on a show. Let’s be like a fruitful fig tree, deeply rooted in our relationship with Christ, showcasing his transformative power in our lives.

Apply

Cultivate a lifestyle of obedience to God’s teachings. Put him first in your time, your money, your heart.

Pray

Jesus, help me to move beyond superficial appearances and seek a true supernatural experience that will change my life and those around me. Give me courage to concede every area of myself to you and not hold anything back. Help me to be a testimony for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.