The Fig Tree
A few months past I received what I call a revelation of scripture. I thought to myself, I need to write this down. It was a WOW experience, an eye-opener and maybe I need to share this. But every time I would start, something would come up for me to do. As time passed the thought would come back and I would sit there, and think it over, ponder it, but I just didn’t have the time to put it all down on paper. It seemed as if I was putting it off, but it kept coming back. Then I perceived in my spirit that this was something I needed to take time to do. If only for myself.
The day this revelation had come to me, I had a long day at work. I believe the night before we had purchased some Italian bread that brought a remembrance to me of how the bread was much like the bread in New York crisp on the outside. Then a pleasant memory came, of how my dad and I would cut the end of the bread off we then would scoop out the white meat of the bread and actually discard it and spread soft butter on the inside, then of course dip it in our gravy. (Red sauce)
That day at work my thoughts went to coming home and taking the bread that was left the other “End” of the bread and spread soft butter over it. It became so real; I could taste it.
I was so ready, when I came home the first thing, I wanted to do was to make some bread and butter, not just any bread and butter but crisp Italian bread with soft butter not melted butter just soft butter. I got my plate, my butter knife, my bread cut, then went over to the butter dish on the counter but it was empty……
I quickly thought “my husband ate the last of the butter and didn’t put out any more butter”. But before I could finish that thought, my thoughts immediately went to……
How do I think Jesus would handle this would he be upset? “No, he wouldn’t.” Then of course I thought of Jesus when he went to the fig tree he was so ready for the taste of the figs, it stated he was even hungry, but when he got there, there was nothing just the look of green lush leaves but the tree was empty it was baron having no fruit. Then, Jesus cursed the tree.
So immediately I said “wait a minute something is not right here, Jesus, my Jesus, kind loving Jesus would not get “mad” at a tree, there has to be more to this.” Would I get upset or mad because there was no butter? Or would I be disappointed?
I had read in the past some commentary saying that he created the trees so he could curse them and who are we to question Jesus and his actions. But that is out of his character so way out of his character there has to be more to it.
When you read scripture, I’ve been told to read what came before in verses and in chapter, look what comes before and what comes after. Because when they wrote and translated the Bible it was not in chapters and verses, it wasn’t necessarily paragraphing it was all together. I knew I needed to get my bible and see what’s going on here. To me, it was obvious the Lord wanted to show me something.
In Mark chapter 10, Jesus is actually explaining to his disciples what will take place. He for tales of his death. “ Behold we go up to Jerusalem and the son of man shall be delivered into the chief priests and to the scribes and they shall condemn him to death and shall deliver him to the Gentiles and they shall mock him and scourge him and spit upon him and they shall kill him and the third day he shall rise again“
At the end of chapter 10 Jesus takes time to stop and heal the blind man.
Then when they are close to Jerusalem, he sends his disciples two of them to bring the colt back that never a man sat, for Jesus to enter the city.
And oh, when he entered how they praise him, hosanna blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord hosanna in the highest.
Honoring him they even threw branches down for the colt to walk on.
Next,Jesus entered into Jerusalem and went into the temple and when he had looked all around looking upon all things, it was evening, so he and the twelve went to Bethany. Then we read the next morning that Christ comes to the fig tree. The word says Jesus was hungry, he was so ready to eat some luscious fruit from the tree. That he could see the green tree as he was far off.
Seeing the green lush thick leaves appearing ready, in your mind’s eye you could almost taste the delicious fruit from a great harvest.
Next, we see Jesus entering Jerusalem and the temple and of course the money changers and he states “it is written my father’s house is a house of prayer you have made it a den of thieves.”
So, think about the people, one day, they were praising him “Hosanna to the most high” Jesus goes to the trample and sees all that is going on in his Fathers house, knowing why he came to earth what is to take place, and then there’s no fruit when he comes. When he went to the temple the night before as was his custom, looking around seeing it was defiled.
So, these are the thoughts that came to my head you know some churches dress all in pretty things big cathedrals lots of people. All kinds of activities going on.
Is it a House of prayer? Is it a coffeehouse? A money exchange? A gathering so that people can have fellowship? Sure, all of those things are important, but we should not defile the house of God, the inter court. That should remain pure. And what about the harvest?
Do we appear to be lush and green with the ability to produce a magnificent harvest, but when the harvester come there is nothing just like the fig tree the leaves looked ready, they appeared plumped and thick, but there was no fruit?
Jesus will come unexpectedly to get that fruit to receive the harvest to receive his people his bride.
He came, gave his life so that we could be with him. Do we replenish? Keep the butter dish full? Myself included.
I don’t for a minute believe in my heart that Jesus cursed the tree because there wasn’t any fruit for him to eat, I believe he was using that as an example, setting the stage for the whole world to see. We can’t be phony we can’t enter in any other way but through him it is so easy for us to get off track.
Reality is that Jesus knew everything he was going to have to go through. It is all a part of the Fathers plain, because you and I are so very important. God wants a full house with his family. He knew there wasn’t any fruit there, but he wants fruit, he wants you, when Jesus comes for his bride, he wants a huge celebration a huge harvest.
But I’m not done yet, then the revelation came of the cursed withered tree that’s the alternative to not being ready when Christ comes.
That’s a very very serious situation I know you must think how the heck did she get this out of that. Well I read the word and put the pieces together and I believe by the Holy Spirit ‘s direction.
The end will come, ready or not. Sure, we need to have fellowship with others. That is important. Just not getting so comfortable that we lose sight of the whole body of Christ. It’s not about how many people come to Church, to the building. It is about how many people come to Christ! To receive Him.
It’s great awesome to be filled with the Glory of God, but are we taking it to the streets? Are we thick luscious green with NO fruit?
There are so many people out there lost. It is getting so rampant with the enemy is running all over pushing down Gods people, we can’t have that we need to stand up and believe! Stand up and pray and keep praying and not give up, never quit. Let his light shine. Let the fruit grow.
Are you ready? Are you prepared? Do you have family that needs to come to Christ? What about your neighbors? Work associate?
Also, you can help pray for the nations our nation, pray for the peace of Jerusalem, pray for God’s people. There is no excuse we need to be attentive to the spirit. You may be the only person that someone has to pray for them. Pray for your sisters and brothers in Christ we all need prayer, pray as the Spirit leads. As you pray for others your light will automatically shine and produce fruit. Plant, water but remember God makes it grow.
There are three main points I would like to highlight;
The first is Jesus, through out the Word we see the character of Jesus reviled. He has shown me to pay attention to his actions and reactions to things that happen from day to day in his life while here on earth. So many places we have to learn from.
Let’s just look at one that is mentioned in the text we are looking at. Jesus just went over with his disciples of his very own death and the treatment he would receive, yet on his way, a blind man cries out to Jesus. The people try to silence the blind man, but he continues with his cry. Jesus hears the blind man, stops to talk to him and then asks what he wants from him. Jesus could have gone right on by. The people gave Jesus an out so it would have been something that would not have even been noticed, that he didn’t stop. But Jesus stopped. He takes time for each cry. Jesus’s action over and over shows love and compassion. Jesus shows you humility and self – discipline.
I challenge you to go through the word and pay close attention to Jesus, his reactions and actions when opposed by several, it will reveal to you his character, and his righteousness shines through every circumstance.
So, think about that, are you willing to stop and shine light on someone? This would definitely produce some fruit. Or are you so preoccupied in your own world?
Second is just a question, if you are a believer, are you a Sunday Christian? Does your light shine through in the things you do and say? Do you realize, if you confess to be a Christian, people will watch your actions and reactions? That my friend is called being a witness. You don’t have to get all preachy to be a witness. Just let Jesus shine through.
Third Jesus cursed the tree. Here you can be all dressed up and no place to go but……
So, when Jesus returns and he will return for his bride, if you are not ready, if you have not received Jesus as your Lord and believe he is the Son of God who was raised by the Father from the dead, is sitting at Gods right side you are doomed to eternal death. That is a promise!
As a believer did you get that? I wouldn’t want that for my worst enemy.
Note; we don’t have to preach doom we just need to show love, His love to others and there may even be times the unlovable.
If you say that is just not fair, what if ……
That my friend is all up to God, but what is your part? Your part is to LOVE others as yourself.
So, ignite the passion that fire that’s with in you, that is ready to burst open in love because that’s where God is. Let Him shine.
There is so much more but for now, Beloved, I pray above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.
Live Your Best Life
Indi Fratarcangelo
Master Certified Life Coach
Indi.Fratarcangelo@gmail.com
