Scripture: Matthew 21:19-21
And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, Jesus went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” Jesus answered them, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done.”
Thought for the Day: It may appear that Jesus was not fond of fig trees. Whether that was the case or not, the cursing of the fig tree was a living parable that pointed to a coming transformation that would require the faithfulness of the disciples in the face of great barriers. The fig tree was a rich symbol within the Jewish community, but it came to represent the temple system in particular. For Jesus, the temple itself was not a problem. The problem was found in what the structure of the temple was permitting to happen against those who were poor, orphaned, widowed and marginalized. The fruit the current temple system was producing was unhealthy, and so Jesus symbolically brought an end to fruit that was not life-giving. When questions were raised, Jesus suggested that the disciples would go far beyond symbolic gestures. In fact, great obstacles would be overcome, like a system that was abusive and unhealthy. In the eyes of the disciples, the structure must have appeared insurmountable, yet Jesus presented a vision of the possible. It’s amazing how a small symbol can cast an achievable vision in the face of the impossible. Albert Schweitzer once said, “One who gains strength overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.” The little steps – sometimes symbolic – teach and configure us to better deal with the overwhelming barriers that come between the present moment and God’s future.
Prayer: Mighty and Gracious God, provide me all the symbols and examples and teaching opportunities that will create a faith that will see mountains moved. Amen.
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