God shows his faithfulness by answering the prayers of his people.
In our lesson today, a fig tree that does not bear fruit receives judgment from Jesus. Religious leaders ask Jesus about his authority, and he makes them uncomfortable by reminding them of the work of John the Baptist, a prophet who called all to repentance (Matthew 3). A prophet is a person called by God to guide, console, and challenge people to follow God’s ways. John pointed people to Jesus by preparing them to receive them as the promised Savior, and Jesus pointed people to the way to full, eternal life with God.
In the remainder of this week in which Jesus will give up His life for us, we see Jesus at work in the final hours of His ministry, teaching His disciples and urging everyone, including religious leaders, to look in their hearts, repent, and ask for forgiveness from the faithful God. This is the only way to have the life God wants everyone to enjoy.
Jesus’ conversation with the fig tree is a kind of object lesson that shows that He wants religious leaders to bear fruit as they are called to do—that is, to point God’s people toward repentance and faith rather than being concerned about their own authority and position.
Jesus invites everyone to have faith. The gift of faith is for everyone who believes.
Believe, Achieve and Live!
