Title Let's bear fruit! (Matthew 21:18-22)
One day, on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus was hungry. Just then, he noticed a large fig tree standing on the side of the road, and he went closer and looked at it. Unfortunately, it did not produce the expected fruit, and it was just a leafy tree. The Lord was greatly disappointed and cursed the fig tree, and the fig tree that was cursed soon withered and died. A tree without fruit is not worth living. What is the lesson from the Lord through this fig tree curse?
1. You shouldn't let people down.
The fig tree is also called “food for the poor” or “food for strangers,” but the fig tree in the text was fruitless. It makes you guess how many people have disappointed you in the meantime. How sad they must have been as the hungry travelers turned away when they could not find fruit. So it was a tree that lost its value to live any longer. I think this fig tree refers to us today. So, today we are teaching the Lord and our neighbors that if we fail to give satisfaction and joy to our neighbors and bring disappointment, we should know that great judgment will come. If our lives today bring disappointment and disappointment to our neighbors, we should no longer think that we will save their souls.
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
“You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light. The fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” Ephesians 5:8,9)
If we do not please our neighbors and impress them, we will never be able to bring them to the Lord. Many are asking us for fruit. I hope that we will become believers who do not disappoint our neighbors.
2. Do not harm your neighbors, but benefit them.
At this time, I have to think about what kind of tree I am. Is it a tree bearing much fruit that pleases the Lord? Are you bearing fruit that gives hope, joy, reward, and benefit to unbelieving neighbors? I hope that you will become saints who bear a lot of good fruit.