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| Along one of the walking trails at Lake Junaluska Christian Retreat Center - about 1 1/2 hours from Mt. Celo Church |
A Rod, A Bud, A Blossom, Fruit / A Fig Tree Withered and No Fruit - Numbers 17 and Matthew 11: 20-33 - In the Numbers account God had told each tribe to bring a rod with the tribal name on it before the tabernacle. The rod that blossomed was evidence of God's choice of Aaron as priest and the tribe of Levi to be the support of the priesthood and care of the temple and tabernacle. Note that this was a test by God - brought on by the rebellion of a group of Israelite leaders. Their rejection of Moses and God's direction led to their deaths. The fig tree symbolized the nation of Israel, rejecting the Messiah - God's Plan, and producing no fruit at His First Coming. This led to the cursing and withering of the fig tree. Jesus commands in Mark 11: 22 in response to the Peter's astonishment at the withering of the fig tree: "Have faith in God." This belief, Jesus says, leads to fruit - miracles, answered prayers.
Background Information This from got questions.org: "The presence of a fruitful fig tree was considered to be a symbol of blessing and prosperity for the nation of Israel. Likewise, the absence or death of a fig tree would symbolize judgment and rejection. Symbolically, the fig tree represented the spiritual deadness of Israel, who while very religious outwardly with all the sacrifices and ceremonies, were spiritually barren because of their sins. By cleansing the Temple and cursing the fig tree, causing it to whither and die, Jesus was pronouncing His coming judgment of Israel and demonstrating His power to carry it out. It also teaches the principle that religious profession and observance are not enough to guarantee salvation, unless there is the fruit of genuine salvation evidenced in the life of the person. James would later echo this truth when he wrote that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). The lesson of the fig tree is that we should bear spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), not just give an appearance of religiosity. God judges fruitlessness, and expects that those who have a relationship with Him will “bear much fruit” (John 15:5-8)."
My Lesson an Application: Charles Spurgeon said it was a matter of ...Professing vs. Possessing Christians. Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matt. 7:15-20) Is my faith evident by the work I do, the life I live, the speech I utter? Am I bearing fruit for God and His kingdom in my life?
Forgiveness - Jesus said in Mark 11: 26: If you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." And...this follows right after the withering of the fig tree, the need for faith to produce fruit, and now the essence of forgiveness. After all the horror, cruelty, crucifixion, rejection of Jesus - out of their jealousy, envy and fear of losing control and power - among Jesus's last words: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) And...most eerily, Luke 23:31: For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" And, what have we done?
Background Information This from got questions.org: "The presence of a fruitful fig tree was considered to be a symbol of blessing and prosperity for the nation of Israel. Likewise, the absence or death of a fig tree would symbolize judgment and rejection. Symbolically, the fig tree represented the spiritual deadness of Israel, who while very religious outwardly with all the sacrifices and ceremonies, were spiritually barren because of their sins. By cleansing the Temple and cursing the fig tree, causing it to whither and die, Jesus was pronouncing His coming judgment of Israel and demonstrating His power to carry it out. It also teaches the principle that religious profession and observance are not enough to guarantee salvation, unless there is the fruit of genuine salvation evidenced in the life of the person. James would later echo this truth when he wrote that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). The lesson of the fig tree is that we should bear spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), not just give an appearance of religiosity. God judges fruitlessness, and expects that those who have a relationship with Him will “bear much fruit” (John 15:5-8)."
My Lesson an Application: Charles Spurgeon said it was a matter of ...Professing vs. Possessing Christians. Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matt. 7:15-20) Is my faith evident by the work I do, the life I live, the speech I utter? Am I bearing fruit for God and His kingdom in my life?
Forgiveness - Jesus said in Mark 11: 26: If you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." And...this follows right after the withering of the fig tree, the need for faith to produce fruit, and now the essence of forgiveness. After all the horror, cruelty, crucifixion, rejection of Jesus - out of their jealousy, envy and fear of losing control and power - among Jesus's last words: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) And...most eerily, Luke 23:31: For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" And, what have we done?
The Ministry of the Word today was presented by a psychologist from Asheville, a former conservative City Councilman there. His message speaks not of the '"front-door" sins such as adultery, sodomy, lying, alcohol, drugs - but of the back-door sins that most possessing Christians allow to creep inside our lives: guilt and shame, fears and worries, doubt resulting from mocking and ridicule, anger, and lust or not loving.' We hope you will listen to this very sobering message and a look at the question, "What Would Jesus Do" in these circumstances?
The message, "WWJD is for Big People Too" by Dr. Carl Mumpower, can be accessed in the right panel of the blog in the Sermon.net archived offerings.
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