Hungry Jesus
Matthew 21:17-22 And
he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night. 18
Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19
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. 20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the
fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. 21 Jesus replied, “I tell you the
truth, 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. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you
ask for in prayer.”
THIS incident begs the question: Is Jesus killing a fig tree
because he’s hungry? Jesus certainly was hungry, but he was not hungry for
figs. He hungered for his people to turn and seek their Lord God that they would
be alive in His commands, fruitfully living in His love.
As the fig tree was
empty of fruit, Israel’s heart was empty of God. God created the tree. The Son
of God destroyed it. Likewise, God created Israel to be His fruit-bearing
people. The Son of God acts to display God’s wrath for Israel’s fruitless
hearts.
When Jesus’
disciples are then amazed at His power, He points them to God’s power: “If you believe, you will receive whatever
you ask for in prayer.” This doesn’t mean God will always do as you pray,
but Jesus’ teaches we must faithfully know God’s power is unlimited.
LIFE Link: Faithfully bear fruit for the Almighty God.
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