Jesus and the Fig Tree

      Recently, I posted a message on a forum to discuss the passage in Matthew 21 where Jesus curses a fig tree.  It always seemed odd to me that he would do that.  When the disciples see the tree later they see that it has quickly withered and then ask Jesus how that happened.  He goes on to talk to them about faith.  Some on the forum I have been involved in suggested that this is also a parable about the importance of bearing fruit.  (see Matthew 21:18-24)

    I'm not sure that that is the main focus or point, but it certainly is true.  It is expected of us as believers to bear fruit.  John 15:2 says "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."  So, what type of fruit are we to bear?

     I think one evidence of the Spirit at work in our lives is the ability to control our tongues.  James talks about this extensively.  We have the ability, even as christians, to use our words to build others up or tear them down.  James said in James 1:26-27 "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.  Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faithless is this: to look after orphands and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."   That's pretty strong words.  James calls it "worthless" if we don't keep a tight rein on our tongues. 

      What are some of the other evidences that the Spirit is working in our lives?  Galatians 5:22-24 says, "But he fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  Since we live by he Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit."  Do I keep in step with the spirit?  Are these things growing in our lives and increasing? 

   One other thing that I think you can say, if you look at the opposite end of this and look at the evidence of the sinful nature being in control is that the sinful nature is selfish.  The person who doesn't care about what others think or who they hurt gossip as much as they want.  They don't care that what they say is hurtful.  The person who has the flesh in control will cheat and steal and lie becasue the most important thing is themselves.  Whereas, love puts others first 1 Corinthians 13  We need to remember that Jesus himself sacrificed himself and gave us an example of how love sacrifices for others.

   In Isaiah 53 the whole chapter is basically devoted to a view of Jesus, hundreds of years before he came to earth.  Isaiah says this about Jesus, "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their face he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted." verse 3-4  He gave us an example of forgiveness also when he forgave those who crucified him.  Now, he wants us to reflect that we know him and set our hearts on Him.

Flowers on the Cross

    I hope everyone who is reading this had a good Easter.  I just wanted to share some thoughts about our Easter service this past Sunday.  We went to a church that is non-denominational that we have been to several times in the area.  Though we had not been to that particular church in about 6 weeks. 

    This is a church that has a traditional service and then a more contemporary service at 11 am.  On this particular morning, because it was Easter we started at 10:30 am.  Most of the service was music, which was loud and contemporary.  I like contemporary music, but knew only one song out of all the ones he used.  The pastor himself spoke for less than 10 minutes, possibly less than 5, I did not time him.
I felt after leaving that I did not attend a service, but a concert.  The pastor who preaches less than 5 minutes should be ashamed of himself.  People come to hear the word.  I know he would say you heard the word in music, but there is a difference.

   The one thing I did enjoy was the flowering of the cross.  We were allowed to come up to the front and place flowers on a wooden cross.  The pastor commented that we made something that was ugly beautiful.  The truth is that Jesus made what was ugly, a symbol of torture now a symbol of hope.  What was a symbol of hopelessness and a cruel death, now for millions comes to symbolize God's love and the extremes that God would go to to demonstrate that love.

Crown of Thorns

"Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soliders wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and arrayed Him in a purple robe."  John 19:1-2

     Have you ever thought about why the soliders treated Jesus the way they did?  Pilate asked Jesus in John 18:33 "are you king of the Jews?"  Pilate got this question from the Pharisees and Sadducees and they're accusations against Jesus.  The claim that they made that finally made some head way with Pilate was they're claim of treason.  They stated that Jesus was making himself out to be bigger that Caesar.  So, Pilate questions Jesus expecting him to deny this. The question in verse 33 is a rhetorical one.  He doesn't really expect Jesus to answer.  He begins to get flustered at Jesus and then finally says, "What have you done?"  In other words, how in the words How did you get these people so mad at you?

    So, Jesus words about his kingdom must have come as quite a shock to Pilate.  That Jesus did in fact claim to be a king, but a king of a different kind of kingdom.  That is why, immediately following this the soliders who were with Pilate would go out and tell the others and they would weave a crown, not of gold, but of thorns.  And instead of bowing, they gave him blows to the face. John 19:3

    Yet, despite all of this, Pilate did not take the accusations against Jesus that seriously because he would come out to the crowd later and say "I find no guilty in Him." John 19:7.  He realized that the Pharisees and Sadducees were jealous of Jesus and wanted to simply get rid of him. Luke 23:22.  But, as a riot developed he saw that the people wanted blood, so he willingly gave up to them an innocent man.  Nice guy hu?

    It isn't just here, but throughout the gospels that we see Jesus often speak about the kingdom.  His concern is not our earthly kingdom or our comfort, or even our country if it is not faithful to Him.  He is concerned about his kingdom and the Lord name would be honored over all.    This is why Jesus would say in Matthew 6:33 "but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."  And then also to lead Paul to say in Colossians 3:1-2 "If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."  Easter is a great time to be reminded of what Jesus did for us and where our focus should be as believers today

Prayer

     If you really examined my prayer life lately, you would have to say that it is "spotty" at best.  At times, I have had long periods of time where I don't pray that much and other times where that seems that is all I do.  And if we are going to be totally honest about it, I am not all that patient when it comes to answered prayer.  I mean that actual part where you rest and give God time to answer.  I am much more likely to try and produce a result or two on my own.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

   So, passages like in Matthew 7 which tell us to ask, seek and knock are not my favorite passages.  That is because the asking, seeking and knocking are words that are used to describe consistent, active, persistent action.  It is not just a polite knock and then sit back and wait.  The other day I was reminded of this when we had a child and family team meeting scheduled at the school.  One of my co-workers went over to the mom's house to wake the lady up because we couldn't meet without her.  She pounded on her door and then honked the horn a few times in the car.  She was persistent and probably a little annoying, but the lady got up and came to the meeting.  That is the kind of prayer that Jesus talked about over and over again.  It is also the kind that I often fall short of and try and do things myself.

   So why, if God is a good God does he tell us to pray like this?  It isn't because God needs to be convinced to do something nice for us.  God tells us that he loves a cheerful giver and that he is also a generous God.  So, why can't I just pray once or twice and be done with it?  I think what it comes down to is that God wants to sometimes deal with the one who is praying and not just the prayer.  Waiting for an answer, gives me a chance to examine my heart about what I really want and need.  Also, to examine what I am asking for and if it is truly what God wants for me.  And, if we are going to be completely honest, I don't have the faintest idea why he waits sometimes.  There is an element of mystery to prayer.

"You are forgiving and good, O Lord. abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me."  Psalm 86:5-7

  Sometimes we are like Job who faced with the loss of all the things he had is wondering in his heart where God is.  Even Jesus had that moment on the cross where he called out to God and said that he had forsaken him.  But, unlike our situation, God truly did forsake Jesus on the cross where he does not forsake us.  So, ultimately, Jesus knows more about being forsaken than I ever will.  Because he became sin for us that we might be the righteousness of God.

Tired today. . . .

   I am not sure what is the matter with me lately.  I had two issues at work with clients that needed to be resolved as soon as possible.  They really have been wearing on my mind.  I prayed about it on the way to work today because one of these issues was rsolved yesterday, yet another had to be resolved soon.  I was anxious because I didn't see a way to resolve the issues except to bring all parties to the table to try and hash out an answer.

   We met for about an hour and a half this morning and the issue has been resolved, at least I  hope it has been.  We will continue to monitor the situation.  I came home and took a nap because I felt physically beat down after 3 hours of CFT meetings in less than a day (Child and Family Team Meetings).  Not to mention that though I have been working in mental health for about 3.5 years now, out of home placements are not my specialty.  At least I do not yet have the experience with it that I do with some other situations.  That's okay, but it is an area that I am growing in and learning about.

   But, the fatigue that I have felt is not new.  And it is not related to my diabetes as some who know me might assume.  My blood sugars have actually been really good.  I can only describe it as feeling like I need spiritual renewal and refreshment.  The fatigue really isn't physical, but it feels spiritual and emotional. 

   So, I am trying to spend more time in prayer and in the Word and in meditation.  And I am grateful that my prayer this morning was answered and the issue is resolved.  I'm glad that I don't have to feel at my best or at my closest to God for him to  hear me.  I just need to have the faith that though he may be silent he is still concerned about what I am going through.

   Thank God that He answers prayers and hears us when we cry out to Him.