PRODUCE THE FRUIT OF LIFE.
John the Baptist tells the people that they should produce fruit in keeping with repentance. John said the tree which did not produce fruit would be cut down and thrown into the fire.
The leaves of the barren fig tree are a symbol of the great Religious people, but like the fig tree, did not produce fruit of a changed life. “Luke 13 and Matthew 21:1–13”
According to Luke 13, what was going to be done to the fig tree, so that it would produce fruit, verse 8 says it would be cultivated and fertilized. Isaiah 5:2–4, says the owner had planted it and cultivated it to produce. See Romans 9:4–5, “Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the convenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.”
God had given much to His people, you and I. As a result, He expected much fruit from us. But, as we know, the Jewish people did not produce the fruit that was expected. THEN REPENT.
Matthew 24:29–33 is about the coming of the Son of Man at the end of the age, verse 32 also talk about the fig tree. But, it is not talking about a tree that is withered. Instead it speak of a tree that is being renewed to life. The branches are tender and the leaves are growing.
Even though we are not Jewish, there is a great deal to be learned from the story of Jewish people, just a few years ago, before 1948, it seemed impossible for the Jews to ever return to their own homeland. The obstacles were just too great. Certainly for the disciple, the withering of the fig tree in such a short time also seemed to be Impossible. In the same way, there are often obstacles and problems in OUR LIVES which appear to be IMPOSSIBLE TO SOLVE. But, according to Jesus’ words to His disciples in Matthew 21:21, what seems impossible becomes quite POSSIBLE If we have faith and do not doubt. Matthew 21:22, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
However, we should see there is a condition here which is attached to the promise Jesus made about removing obstacles in our lives and bringing about the impossible. Mark 11:20–26, “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!” Have faith in God. » Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
What should we do when we face obstacles that appear to be impossible to overcome? BELIEVE AND ASK IN PRAYER.
John the Baptist tells the people that they should produce fruit in keeping with repentance. John said the tree which did not produce fruit would be cut down and thrown into the fire.
The leaves of the barren fig tree are a symbol of the great Religious people, but like the fig tree, did not produce fruit of a changed life. “Luke 13 and Matthew 21:1–13”
According to Luke 13, what was going to be done to the fig tree, so that it would produce fruit, verse 8 says it would be cultivated and fertilized. Isaiah 5:2–4, says the owner had planted it and cultivated it to produce. See Romans 9:4–5, “Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the convenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.”
God had given much to His people, you and I. As a result, He expected much fruit from us. But, as we know, the Jewish people did not produce the fruit that was expected. THEN REPENT.
Matthew 24:29–33 is about the coming of the Son of Man at the end of the age, verse 32 also talk about the fig tree. But, it is not talking about a tree that is withered. Instead it speak of a tree that is being renewed to life. The branches are tender and the leaves are growing.
Even though we are not Jewish, there is a great deal to be learned from the story of Jewish people, just a few years ago, before 1948, it seemed impossible for the Jews to ever return to their own homeland. The obstacles were just too great. Certainly for the disciple, the withering of the fig tree in such a short time also seemed to be Impossible. In the same way, there are often obstacles and problems in OUR LIVES which appear to be IMPOSSIBLE TO SOLVE. But, according to Jesus’ words to His disciples in Matthew 21:21, what seems impossible becomes quite POSSIBLE If we have faith and do not doubt. Matthew 21:22, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
However, we should see there is a condition here which is attached to the promise Jesus made about removing obstacles in our lives and bringing about the impossible. Mark 11:20–26, “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!” Have faith in God. » Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
What should we do when we face obstacles that appear to be impossible to overcome? BELIEVE AND ASK IN PRAYER.