Faith and Figs…

A very interesting story in Scripture that can easily be over looked  is the story of Jesus and the fig tree that doesn’t produce fruit. The story reads as follows:

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.  Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.  Matthew 21:18-19

I’ve often thought it would be quite entertaining to have seen the reaction of the disciple when this happened.

The modern day equivalent that comes to mind when I read this passage would be if you were on a road trip. Imagine you are driving down the highway and after awhile you decide it is time to eat. You see a sign for a Chick-fil-A. Sounds good, right? Well, only one problem. After 15 miles you finally pull into the parking lot, ready to sink your teeth into some chickeny goodness, only to realize…IT’S SUNDAY!

Now you can understand Jesus’ disappointment. While this is a more humorous look at this text, the passage as a whole is a great testimony to the power of faith.

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:21-22

In all seriousness, Jesus demonstrates the power of faith and tells us that if we have faith and don’t doubt we can do amazing things. It is the power of faith through which we are saved, not by anything that can be done in our own power, but by trusting in His.

Is there something that you have been trying to do in your own strength? You may think that it is small enough to handle on your own, but that is not what God desires our faith to look like. Try giving everything to Him this week…even the little things.

Andrew