Holy Week
And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." And His disciples heard it. Mark 11:13-14
Have you ever woken up on a Monday morning, and just thought to yourself, “Boy, what a busy week I have in front of me”? There are so many possible things in the upcoming week to think about. You have got to start somewhere. Breakfast is normally a good place to start.
On Jesus’ way from Bethany to Jerusalem, He was hungry. Jesus is true man. He came upon a fig tree, so He looked for fruit. None was found. After all, Mark says, “it was not the season for figs.” Christ’s response is a little startling: "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." The tree, lush with leaves yet barren of fruit, reflects Israel. They had all the signs of spiritual life, yet their hearts were far from the LORD.
As Jesus made His way towards the cross, He invited us to evaluate our lives. Do we merely look like Christians, or are we living out our faith? Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) The fruit that we bear is not about us, it is about faith in Him. If it were up to us, we wouldn’t bear any fruit. But looking to Jesus as Lord and Savior, we can bear fruits based on His love. When He comes to us, He doesn’t find barren trees. Rather He finds trees with plentiful fruits. His love for us makes us fruitful!
Thou art the Vine,–oh, nourish
The branches graft in Thee
And let them grow and flourish,
A fair and fruitful tree.
Thy Spirit pour within us
And let His gifts of grace
To such good actions win us
As best may show Thy praise.
The Lutheran Hymnal 544:6