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| Share Agape for the week of September 1, 2003 |
| Producing the Fruit "Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, 'No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.' And at once the fig tree withered." Matthew 21:18-19 This is one of those New Testament passages that's ignored by folks who only like to think of Jesus as gentle and smiling. Some people will even tell you it doesn't belong in the Bible--that it was added by some over-zealous monk. They have no proof of this, of course; they just "feel" it's out of character for Jesus. After all, what had the poor fig tree done to him? As Mark 11:13 tells us, it wasn't even the season for figs. So why did Jesus make the tree wither? For many years, I was puzzled by this Bible passage, too. But I've come to believe that Jesus was using this fig tree as an illustration for his disciples--and for us. Interestingly, although it wasn't fig season, the tree was leafing--and with fig trees, fruit comes before the leaves; therefore, a leafing tree should also bear fruit. That fig tree was, in a lot of ways, like us. It's outward signs said, "I'm fruitful!" It's very leaves seemed to brag about it's productivity and goodness. Yet, when it came right down to it, that tree did nothing it promised; it wasn't bearing any fruit at all. A lot of Christians are this way, too. They call themselves Christians; they may go to church regularly; they talk the talk�.but, ultimately, they don't bear fruit. They are merely showing off their leaves. Fig leaves do help the tree a little (as all leaves help all trees), but they don't help anyone else. On the other hand, the fruit of the fig tree is useful to others. In fact, the leaves of the fig tree were frequently pruned, in order to help give more strength to the fruit (John 15). Most of us have some leaves that are taking strength away from our fruit. They could be as "mundane" as laziness or bad habits, or as "obvious" as worldliness and concern only for ourselves. Yet the entire purpose of a fig tree is to bear fruit. A fig tree that doesn't bear fruit is worthless. And so it is, too, with Christians. It's a serious and difficult question to ask yourself: Am I fruitful? I once heard a pastor say there's one very good way to tell if you're fruitful; ask yourself, what would the world be like if everyone was just like me? Facing that tough question, you might then ask, how can I become more fruitful? Fortunately, the Bible is full of answers: Trust completely in God (Mark 11:22-23, Rom. 1:16-17). Pray frequently in order to develop a relationship with God (Mat. 6). Read the Bible daily (Job 23:12). Confess your sins to God and learn to truly desire to change (Ja. 4:8-10). Forgive others (Mark 11:25). Perhaps most importantly, don't be prideful and don't withhold yourself from God; completely give yourself over to (agapao) him (Mat. 22:37); only by doing this will you be able to follow God's command to be fruitful and love (agapao) others (Mat. 22:39). This week's recommendation is "Tips For A More Effective Prayer Life." You'll find this brief and helpful article at http://www.christian-parent.com/articles/040803b.shtml Questions Q: "Did John the Baptist invent baptism?" A: No. Baptism was used by Jewish rabbis in the late 6th century B.C. as part of the ritual for bringing Gentiles to the Jewish faith. Jews were not baptized; only Gentile converts. Today, baptism is a one-time ceremony used to publicly display repentance, belief in Jesus Christ, and a turning of lives to God. GOT A QUESTION? I invite you to ask it. What stumps you? I'll do my best to find an answer! To ask a question, email me at [email protected]. (c) 2003 by Kristina Seleshanko. |
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