Day 25 - A Fruitful Faith
Day 25 - A Fruitful Faith
Written by: Megan Sorrow
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Matthew 21:18-22
In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.
20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, (D)“Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
DEVOTION
This portion of the life of Jesus can almost feel like whiplash in a way. Matthew 21 begins with Jesus triumphantly entering the city of Jerusalem on a donkey. The people respond by laying their clothes and palm branches on the ground for Him to ride over, shouting “ Hosanna” and recognizing Him as the Messiah come to rescue Israel.
Then in the next moment He enters the Temple, angrily overturns the moneychanger tables, condemning the religious leaders for allowing His Father’s house to become a den of thieves. He essentially takes back the House of God from the hands of those who would often take advantage of others, making it difficult for people to make sacrifices or come near to the presence of God.
Of course the Religious leaders were indignant at all these events taking place, which brings us to the Fig tree. This passage might appear like a random outburst of anger from Jesus, but in light of the events that just took place it seems Jesus has more to say about the religious elite than a fruitless tree…
You see, the state of the temple had become the state of the lives of the religious elite. Pride and the pursuit of self-righteous prosperity had crept in and set up shop. Instead of creating space for all people to easily access God’s presence.
Rather than leading a life of faith that was evident in the way they loved others, they took advantage of the poor and the marginalized, under the guise of devotion to God and His law.
In approaching the Fig tree we see a symbolic parallel between a faith that is evident by its fruit, and the result of a life that pursues Pride rather than people. The fig tree had no fruit, much like the religious elite. Much like them, the lack of fruit in one's life reveals the lack of the Holy Spirit.
The author of James asks the question “what good is it…if you say you have faith, but don’t show it by your actions.” The evidence of our faith is always revealed by our actions. The lives of the religious leaders were lifeless, much like the withering fruit tree.
However, Jesus tells the disciples that prayer rooted in faith can do amazing things. Because A fruitful faith comes from a faithful life. When we are in a genuine relationship with the Father, the result of that relationship will be evident in what we do and how we live. James continues in saying …” just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
The Gospel is beautiful because it is what saves us, but the Gospel is beautiful as well because it is what changes us. The Gospel transforms us to be like Christ in every way. If we obediently follow Him in faith we are changed by His love and we will see His love change the world.
ACTION STEP
What does your day look like?
Where can you show a measure of faith that will display the love of God to the people around you?
PRAYER TIME
Holy Spirit, help me to display the kind of faithfulness in my life that displays the fruit of someone who belongs to you. Make me attentive to the needs of others around me, and aware of the opportunities you give to display faith in Christ. Help me to live a faithful life that comes from fruitful faith.
Amen
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Matthew 21:18-22
In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.
20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, (D)“Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
DEVOTION
This portion of the life of Jesus can almost feel like whiplash in a way. Matthew 21 begins with Jesus triumphantly entering the city of Jerusalem on a donkey. The people respond by laying their clothes and palm branches on the ground for Him to ride over, shouting “ Hosanna” and recognizing Him as the Messiah come to rescue Israel.
Then in the next moment He enters the Temple, angrily overturns the moneychanger tables, condemning the religious leaders for allowing His Father’s house to become a den of thieves. He essentially takes back the House of God from the hands of those who would often take advantage of others, making it difficult for people to make sacrifices or come near to the presence of God.
Of course the Religious leaders were indignant at all these events taking place, which brings us to the Fig tree. This passage might appear like a random outburst of anger from Jesus, but in light of the events that just took place it seems Jesus has more to say about the religious elite than a fruitless tree…
You see, the state of the temple had become the state of the lives of the religious elite. Pride and the pursuit of self-righteous prosperity had crept in and set up shop. Instead of creating space for all people to easily access God’s presence.
Rather than leading a life of faith that was evident in the way they loved others, they took advantage of the poor and the marginalized, under the guise of devotion to God and His law.
In approaching the Fig tree we see a symbolic parallel between a faith that is evident by its fruit, and the result of a life that pursues Pride rather than people. The fig tree had no fruit, much like the religious elite. Much like them, the lack of fruit in one's life reveals the lack of the Holy Spirit.
The author of James asks the question “what good is it…if you say you have faith, but don’t show it by your actions.” The evidence of our faith is always revealed by our actions. The lives of the religious leaders were lifeless, much like the withering fruit tree.
However, Jesus tells the disciples that prayer rooted in faith can do amazing things. Because A fruitful faith comes from a faithful life. When we are in a genuine relationship with the Father, the result of that relationship will be evident in what we do and how we live. James continues in saying …” just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
The Gospel is beautiful because it is what saves us, but the Gospel is beautiful as well because it is what changes us. The Gospel transforms us to be like Christ in every way. If we obediently follow Him in faith we are changed by His love and we will see His love change the world.
ACTION STEP
What does your day look like?
Where can you show a measure of faith that will display the love of God to the people around you?
PRAYER TIME
Holy Spirit, help me to display the kind of faithfulness in my life that displays the fruit of someone who belongs to you. Make me attentive to the needs of others around me, and aware of the opportunities you give to display faith in Christ. Help me to live a faithful life that comes from fruitful faith.
Amen
Categories
Recent
Archive
2023
January
January 9th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 10th, 2023 - The Burning BushJanuary 11th, 2023 - Strong and Courageous January 12th, 2023 - Obediently Set ApartJanuary 13th, 2023 - Faithful Among Enemy NationsJanuary 14th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 16th, 2023 - Be StillJanuary 17th, 2023 - God Inhabits His PraisesJanuary 18th, 2023 - Enjoying God's PresenceJanuary 19th, 2023 - Broken & Contrite HeartJanuary 20th, 2023 - Asking for OthersJanuary 21st, 2023 - Petition and ProvisionJanuary 23rd, 2023 - One Body, Many PartsJanuary 24th, 2023 - Love One AnotherJanuary 25th, 2023 - Unity in the BodyJanuary 26th, 2023 - Consider Others BetterJanuary 27th, 2023 - Living in the LightJanuary 28th, 2023 - Don't Let Anger Control YouJanuary 30, 2023 - The Power of FastingJanuary 31st, 2023 - Pray as You Can
February
February 1st, 2023 - ScriptureFebruary 2nd, 2023 - Sabbath Day, Best DayFebruary 3rd, 2023 - SimplicityFebruary 4th, 2023 - WorshipFebruary 6th, 2023 - Love Your NeighborFebruary 7th, 2023 - Come and See, Go and TellFebruary 8th, 2023 - GenerosityFebruary 9th, 2023 - Caring for the VulnerableFebruary 10, 2023 - HospitalityFebruary 11th, 2023 - Build
2022
January
Covid UpdateDay 1 - Is It Worth It?Day 2 - God Promises His PresenceDay 3 - Aligning Ourselves With GodDay 4 - The Voice of the ShepherdVision 2022 - Begins this Sunday!Day 5 - Rushing or Resting?Day 6 - "By the Grace of God"Day 7 - A Day for Rest and WorshipDay 8 - Ask Boldly and Surrender CompletelyDay 9 - Our Deliverance for His GloryDay 10 - Ask for the ImpossibleDay 11 - Adversity Meets Unwavering FaithWhat an incredible start to 2022!!Day 12 - Focus Reveals FaithDay 13 - Impossible Mission!Day 15 - Followers of JesusDay 16 - The Good News of God’s LoveDay 17 - Radical Love Leads People to JesusLet's Try this Again...Day 18 - Relentless CommitmentDay 19 - Unending Power SourceDay 20 - Come and See, Go and TellDay 22 - Many Parts, One BodyDay 23 - A New Command - Love One AnotherDay 24 - One Body and One LordDay 25 - Be Angry, But Do Not SinDo you Belong?Day 26 - The Commandment of LoveDay 27 - The Attitude and Obedience of Christ
March
Day 1 - Seeking the Lord TogetherDay 2 - Ash WednesdayDay 3 - The Baptism of JesusDay 4 - The Word as a WeaponDay 5 - Freedom in ConfessionDay 6 - Love Your EnemiesDay 7 - Anxious for NothingDay 8 - Effective PrayerDay 9 - Amazing FaithDay 10 - The Bleeding WomanDay 11 - Confidence in GodDay 12 - Fear Not!Day 13 - Come and RestDay 14 - Kingdom Minded CommunityDay 15 - The TreasureDay 16 - Peace in His PresenceDay 17 - Raise the RoofDay 18 - A Parent's CommitmentDay 19 - Too Good to be TrueDay 20 - Only JesusDay 21 - The Ninety-Nine and the OneDay 22 - Salvation Through SurrenderDay 23 - Good Rest from a Good ShepherdDay 24 - Read the RoomDay 25 - A Fruitful FaithDay 26 - The Wedding FeastDay 27 - Serve Like Jesus