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The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. 15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. 19 When evening came, they went out of the city. 20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” 22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.
REFERENCES: MATTHEW 23:27-28, LEVITICUS 5:7, EPHESIANS 1:18-19
Gotten mad lately? Whatever the source of your anger, know that you have the right to experience that emotion. Why? Because we were created in the image of God who has emotions as well—everything from joy to jealousy. However, the distinguishing factor is that when it comes to God’s anger, it is righteous. He operates out of truth, not out of impulse. We’ll know that we are emulating God in our display of emotion when we are in control of our anger, not our anger in control of us. In the brief passage in Mark 11, we get to see the motivation of God’s anger. He sends a message that he was not happy with the way the Pharisees’ leadership had turned his house of prayer into a zone of economic manipulation. The poor were being taken advantage of and the gentiles were crowded out, blocking them from the blessing of forgiveness they so desperately needed. Jesus, in his righteous anger, put a stop to the madness, flipped tables and, in a prophetic gesture, cursed the fruitless fig tree. From the outside looking in, it would’ve seemed that Jesus was on a rampage, but he was moved by compassion to correct the situation. Jesus rooted out the hypocrisy of the day by his destructive yet gracious power. In doing so, gave a lesson to his followers that in order to please God, it would take more than being all show and no substance. It would take faith in him.
Just because God corrects you doesn’t mean that he curses you.
Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” —
When Jesus noticed that the fig tree only had leaves but no fruit, he rebuked it. On our faith journey, God disciplines us not to hurt us but to help us. Discipline can hurt, it can even be painful, but with love, God is telling us there is much more in store.
The merchants in the temple were using the temple for extortion in the area meant for gentiles to come close to the presence of God. Meaning they were excluding who God wanted to include. The religious leaders thought the Messiah would come to cleanse the temple of gentiles, he instead came to clear the temple for gentiles.
God is looking for fruit. Because he loves you, he cuts off curses in your life, those things that prevent you from bearing fruit. This requires your commitment to allowing God to make these changes inside of your heart. Be assured that God’s discipline is not harming you, rather it’s setting you up for success so that you can flourish. He’s committed to perpetuating his love without obstructions. As you let down your barriers, you become a carrier of God’s love. Simply trust, believe, and receive. God is not mad at you, he’s madly in love with you.
This week, take inventory of all the branches that God has cut from your life and how he changed your dying fruit into his abundant blessing. You are a miracle in motion. Thank him for all that he has done and will continue to do.
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Good News: Hope is here! Celebrate Easter in community. With gatherings all weekend, there’s something for everyone.
Friday, March 29 – Good Friday
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We live in the tension of present hard times and coming good times. In this gap, our faith is formed. The gathering of the saints produces perseverance for you to run your race of faith. VOUSCon is this moment.
June 20-22
Miami, FL
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