01.31.2016 New Testament: Matt 21.18–19

To read the Bible in a year, read Matthew 21.1–22 on January 31, In the year of our Lord 2016

By Don Ruhl

As a man, Jesus became hungry, and when He passed by a fig tree, He wanted to eat of its fruit, but it was empty,

Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away (Matthew 21.18–19).

The tree gave evidence that it had fruit, because it had leaves, but lacking fruit, He knew the tree was not fulfilling its purpose. Therefore, He as the Creator, He cursed it. Farmers do the same thing. If a tree has quit producing fruit, they take it out and put in a new one that will bear fruit.

Jesus looks at us in this very manner. He expects us to bear fruit. He expected the Jewish nation to bear fruit. Now He expects the church to bear fruit. Are you doing your part to insure that the church bears fruit continually?