Mark 11:12-25New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts
12 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.
This week I am privileged to be a presenter at the historic and prestigious Hampton Minister’s Conference in Hampton, VA. This 99 year-old gathering features some of the greatest preachers, teachers, lecturers and musicians from across the nation. Held on one of the Historical Black Universities and Colleges (HBCU) campuses, Hampton University, it boasts of an attendance of 8,000 – 12,000 annually.
This morning, attendees were electrified by a message from Dr. Carl J. Solomon, Pastor of United Baptist Church in East Baltimore, MD. Below are a few highlights from his message…
- The passage where Jesus curses the fig tree is some what quizzical. Why didn’t Jesus – the master of all, the one with all power in His hands – why didn’t Jesus command the fig tree to produce fruit when he saw that it was barren?“No figs, no problem!”
- Could it be that Jesus was teaching us a lesson… “stop wasting your time on dead things!” Some of us have allowed “dead things” to reside in our spirits for too long.
- Some of us have allowed disappointment and pain over something that is dead to rule over our spirits, consume us, depress us, discourage us and drive us in some instances to die. Anything that is a “disappointment” is in the past! It has already happened. Nothing can change it. Stop allowing that which is in the past to keep you from moving forward and receiving what God has for you in the future!
- Some of us spend a life time trying to revive, call back to life, rejuvenate, reinvigorate, etc dead things. We allow ourselves to become consumed with them. We take all of our energies to make them produce fruit.
- Instead, we need to let it die. “No fig, no problem.” You didn’t get the position? You didn’t get the promotion? You didn’t get the ring? You didn’t get the house? You didn’t get the decision? You didn’t get whatever? “No fig, no problem!” Place that disappointment under your feet and keep on moving.
- No fruit on “that tree” cannot stop you from getting fed elsewhere!
- Jesus did not go hungry because “that tree” did not bear fruit! Jesus moved on to other areas and so must we.
- Don’t allow barren trees to keep you hungry.
- Place disappointment under your feet. Leave disappointment in your past. Look rather for the new opportunities and fruit trees and blessings that God has for your life!
Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, hope and perseverance,
Pastor Chris
Good Word!
ReplyDeleteI was at Hampton and the Lord really used you to bless us.
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