JESUS CURSED THE LYING FIG TREE

Beloved,

FOCUS: And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever. And his disciples heard it (Mark 11:12-14).

I worked for 6 years in a remote area in West Africa. One of the disturbing things I encountered was that they had a major health centre that serious cases were referred to but the place was not well staffed. I saw very ill people who travelled a long distance through dirt roads only to meet untrained and ill-equipped staff. That was false hope and at best wickedness. What was Jesus attitude to such deception? We saw it from his attitude to the lying-fig tree. Jesus cursed the tree. Are you who you say you are or just deceiving people like the fig tree? Are you giving the output that you represent?

Christians are light of the world. We are solution to our fellow Christians and the world at large. When we find a hundred and one reasons why we should not fulfill our role, we disappoint God. For instance, the Bible says this of the church: Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King (Psalms 48:2). Anytime anybody comes to a church where we belong and goes away same, we are partly responsible for that failure. People enjoy answering big names but do not realize it carries implication: pastor, bishop, apostle, prophet and born again but had no realization of the implications. Friend, each of are expected to give account. Just like Jesus approached the fig tree, if people come to you and you are found wanting, you become a lying bishop or pastor or prophet or Christian. And for the tree that gave false hopes, Jesus cursed. Friend, we shall not be cursed in Jesus name.

We need to sit down and ask ourselves some questions. If it were in my time, would Jesus have sent me to restore the sight of Saul and tell him what he ought to do like he did Ananias (Acts 9:11-16)? Could God has been confidence in my faithfulness to send Elijah to me as he did the widow (Luke 4:25-26)? Could I have sold my land as Barnabas did so that the brethren could have food (Acts 4:36-37)? Yes, could God have depended on me to be the mother of the Savior? I mean, could Naaman have been sent to me because I am anointed and ready to use it? I am a Christian, so what (Luke 4:27)? This is what the scripture said: And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire (Luke 3:9). Friend, Jesus cursed the fig tree! We shall not be hewn down in the name of Jesus Christ.

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (James 4:17). Negligence to equip yourself to do the work you are called to do, according to the Bible is a sin. Hey, do you realize that the whole creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19)? Are we working towards fulfilling our purpose here? We have been so busy in our own things that we are almost not useful to God. Think! And just like was done to Jesus, church members actively shut-off the anointing on their pastors through their unbelief (Mark 6:5). Others refuse to commit themselves to any responsibility whatsoever. What is it really that you are after?

Now is the time to sit up. Are we born again? Then let’s bear fruits that befit our repentance. Let’s live the kind of life that Jesus typified. His environment recognized the virtues that he carried. He displayed a life that had passion and commitment. Friend, his meat was to do the will of him that sent him, and to finish his work (John 4:34). We need to make a choice on where we belong.

Jesus committed himself to study the Word of God (and found where it was written concerning him Luke 4:17). He committed himself to prayer and fasting (and returned in the power of the Holy Ghost Luke 4:14). Jesus went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38). He loved righteousness, hated wickedness and spoke only the Word (Psalms 45:7, John 3:34). The result was that he was anointed above his fellows. Friend, these are how to get on key with God.

Who do we represent? Do we represent who God has called us or are we living a lie like the fig tree?

God has loaded you with his nature. You have a lot to give to this generation. Don’t waste it.

Shalom