Mark 11:13-14 And seeing in the distance a fig tree [covered] with leaves, He went to see if He could find any [fruit] on it [for in the fig tree the fruit appears at the same time as the leaves]. But when He came up to it, He found nothing but leaves, for the fig season had not yet come. 14 And He said to it, No one ever again shall eat fruit from you. And His disciples were listening [to what He said].
Jesus walking in the flesh was hungry as any person on the earth. When HE saw a fig tree from the distance covered with leaves, the assumption was there would be fruit. The fig fruit appears at the same time as the leaves. When HE had come up to it, there were nothing but leaves. Since there were no fruit, Jesus basically cursed the tree and it withered away.
The fig tree had leaves but no fruit. It was in its season to bear fruit but the tree missed its season. The size of the tree and leaves can represent many things. A person may be a Christian for many years. Some Christians have much knowledge. Some Christians have much spiritual gifts. Some Christians have much experience and talent. Some Christians may even have the ability to hear God clearly. The abundance of leaves may represents time, knowledge, spiritual gifts, experience, and talents.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee in authority (John 3). He was one with much knowledge. But yet Jesus emphasized that one needed to be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus did not understand what God had expected from His people even though he appeared to be an ideal person who should know. Too many Christians define their Christianity and their worth based on their leaves. Even such a person like Nicodemus thought he was safe with his salvation. Many Christians today are not working out their salvation with trembling and fear but thinking they are very safe.
We are like trees. We are called to bear fruit. If we do not bear fruit, the ax will already be at the root of the tree ready to be cut and thrown in the fire. Is Jesus coming for your leaves? HE is hungry. HE is coming for the fruit. HE is going to be looking for the fruit of the Holy Spirit in you.
John the Baptist rebuked the religious order and told them to bring forth fruit consistent with repentance. Where is the change in your lives? Many have repented but where is the change in their lives? If people had truly repented, then it would be proven through the fruit they bear.
Matthew 3: 8 Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];
The crowds asked John the Baptist, how do we repent? What do we need to do?
John said that if we have two shirts to give one away. If we have food, then to share it with the hungry. For the tax collectors to only collect what the government requires. John further said, do not extort or make false accusations and be content with your pay.
The people in John days are like the Christians today. Many are very greedy. Many are jealous and envy of each other. Many are liars, dishonest, and complainers. Is John speaking and evangelizing to non believers? No, John is speaking and rebuking God's people who are so blind and stubborn. John said to bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance. Show that you have changed your lives. Is your life changed? Have we truly repented? What has it cost you to follow Jesus?
Jesus was hungry and had come to the tree for fruit. Today, HE is seated in the right hand of Father God. Is Jesus still hungry for fruit? Yes, HE is still hungry. When HE sends a weak believer, wounded soul, baby Christian, or a least one of HIS your way, will you love them even though they may be very difficult to deal with? Will you feed them? Will you give them something to drink? Will you clothe them? Will you be kind to them? Will you embrace them even though they have many issues or will you demand them to change first before you love them? As Jesus said, even the sinner love their own but if you only love your own and not others, how is that love?
Matthew 25:34-36 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
In the physical realm, you may feed someone physical food or give them money as an expression of helping. When one helps whether you feed, give them drink, or clothe, hopefully, you do it out of genuine love from your broken spirit and as you do it out of true love, then you are bringing forth fruit, the fruit of Love. In the spiritual realm, God is able to partake this fruit that you are bearing and bringing forth.
Bring forth fruit of repentance. When you ask forgiveness from one you had offended or hurt, if you have truly repented, the fruit you will now bring forth to such a person would be love. To say you have forgiven but never want to see that person's face is not forgiveness nor love. It is but mockery. If you had stolen, you would give back or stop stealing. If you are in sin, then you would stop sinning. If you are in addiction or bondage, then you would be crying out to HIM for freedom. Bring forth fruit worthy of repentance!
Are we truly loving those who had offended us? Are we truly feeding and praying for our enemies or are you slandering them while you watch the news? Are we truly allowing them to slap our other cheek? Are we truly blessing those who curse us or are you making an offensive gesture back at the one who just cut you off in traffic? Are we truly going two miles when they ask us to go one mile? Are you loving those who are not your own?
Only through true contrite brokenness can a person bring forth ripe sweet fruit. When a Christian is not broken but hard and stubborn, they can only bring forth leaves and at best unripe fruit. Unripened fruit is bitter and hard. When a Christian who possess unripened hard bitter fruit and attempts to minster to others, they are essentially feeding them poison and at the end, they will end up hurting and offending others. Such Christians will need to repent as they will answer to God for casting out the least ones. Remember, the fig tree without fruit was cursed.
Matthew 25:41-46 Then He will say to those at His left hand, Begone from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!42 For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink,43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me and entertain Me, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me [l]with help and ministering care.44 Then they also [in their turn] will answer, Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?45 And He will reply to them, Solemnly I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least [[m]in the estimation of men] of these, you failed to do it for Me.46 Then they will go away into eternal punishment, but those who are just and upright and in right standing with God into eternal life.
May you bear fruit worthy of repentance as those words spoken thousands of years ago have been spoken in the context of eternity and still applies to us today. May you ask God to brake you so that HE may use you as a vessel of honor. You must understand the cost of this request but it is required if you want to see HIS face one day.
Acts 26:20 But made known openly first of all to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout the whole land of Judea, and also among the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works and live lives consistent with and worthy of their repentance.
As the book of Acts states, "DO WORKS AND LIVE LIVES CONSISTENT WITH AND WORTHY OF REPENTANCE!" The bible says that you must be perfect as HE is perfect.
Matthew 5:48 You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete [maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
Fremont, CA USA
July 23, 2014
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