Daily devotion – taking up space
Mat 21:19
And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
This fig tree cursed by Jesus is a fascinating story. It surprises many as to why Jesus would do this.
But when we consider the time and the place of this event, we understand it better. Jesus was near Jerusalem in the last week of His public ministry to His people. The fig tree symbolised the nation of Israel. Just as this had leaves but no fruit, so Israel had a show of religion but no practical experience of faith resulting in godly living.
Jesus was not angry at the tree. Rather, He used this tree to teach several lessons to His disciples.
God wants to produce fruit in the lives of His people. Fruit is the product of life. Leaves indicate the presence of fruit, but this was not the case. This tree was taking up space and doing no good.
Some people go to Church, never serve, never give, never pray and yet simply take up space. They have leaves but no fruit.
For Israel, the time of judgment had come. The sentence was pronounced by the Judge, but it would not be executed for about 40 years.
In one of the most graphic Scriptures in the Bible we read of something similar – Matthew 7: 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Let us never be guilty of simply taking up space or having leaves but no fruit!