NOTHING BUT LEAVES...

During the week between the "triumphant entry" into Jerusalem and His crucifixion, Jesus never stopped teaching.  He taught me a lesson this week from the Scripture in Mark 11:12-26, where He placed a curse on a fig tree.

I must admit that, after having read this same passage scores of times in my life, my perception has almost always been the same.  Understandably, since Jesus was hungry (verse 12), He would want to satisfy that natural feeling by having a few figs for His early morning breakfast.  In the distance ahead, He saw a fig tree already in leaf and "went to find out if it had any fruit" (verse 13a).

It always puzzled me, however, that He looked for figs although "it wasn't the season for figs" (verse 13b).  Jesus well knew it wasn't the time for harvesting figs, both, because fig trees were very common in His homeland, and, because He made fig trees to begin with (John 1:1-3).  Why, then, did Jesus hope to find figs on the tree to eat?

In my yard I have several fig trees that are between three to twelve years old.  We have a long growing season here in the southeastern United States.  Naturally, those trees have started the "leafing" process this year.  Over the years I have observed that, occasionally, on one or two of the trees a fig or two may start early growth and ripen by the time the leaves have filled out.  Therefore, Jesus may very well have expected to find a fig to eat.

In addition to finding something to eat, it is a normal thing to expect, at this point of early Spring growth, several tiny figs will have appeared already.  A healthy fig tree will start showing the prospects of fruit early on.  There are still figs in my freezer from last year's picking.  By now, if there aren't any tiny figs appearing on my trees, I don't need to expect any harvest this year.

But, what about my lesson?  Actually, this full passage of Scripture has a long list that will do me for many years to come.  Some of those are

• By their fruit you will know them  (See Matthew 7:15-21)  Jesus wasn't looking for grapes on the fig tree.
• His house is to be a house of prayer, not a habitat for profit or show (verse 17).
• Faith in God to answer us when we pray (verses 22-24).
• Forgiveness from us to others (verse 25).
• Forgiveness from God to us (verses 25-26).

Again, what about my lesson this week?  In the latter part of verse 13, Mark wrote, "When He reached it (the fig tree), He found nothing but leaves..."  May God help me!  This is why Jesus cursed the fig tree with these words, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again."  Jesus was teaching His disciples, "and His disciples heard Him say it." (verse 14b).

It was "the chief priests and the teachers of the law" (verse 17) that Jesus spoke about, but it was to the disciples that He taught.

• Don't make "just a show of being fruit bearers."  Nothing but leaves..
• Do something for God.  Even a few figs would have satisfied His hunger.  (verse 12).  Offer your lunch like the lad with the "loaves and fishes" in John 6:1-15.

May my prayer today sincerely not be, "I thank You that I am not like 'the chief priests and the teachers of the law' "  (See Luke 18:11)  May my prayer be, "Lord, let me feed someone today with the "fruit of the Spirit"  (Galatians 5:22-23).  May I be more than a showing of leaves with no fruit.

Join me today in praying that we bear fruit for Jesus' sake.  Join me in witnessing to the lost about a saving Savior.  Join me in sharing His wonderful love and grace--not just this week, but for a lifetime.

Share this post with your contacts, your facebook friends, g+ it, email it and use any other means to spread the love of God.

A LIFETIME OF SHARING

Growing up in my family made for a lifetime of sharing.  Several factors were involved that made this, not only a possibility, but an absolute necessity.  However, there was never any resentment toward each other. There was no "having to share."  We just did and, frankly, discovered we were happy when we did.

Some of those factors were

• There were 10 children, nine of whom were boys.
• The time frame was between 1930 and the mid-1950s.
• Close parental (and sibling) supervision, and
• Active participation in church.

I grant you that this was a different era with different life styles.  Nevertheless, may I quickly affirm that, just because there are social changes in customs and morality, Christian (and Biblical) values do not change.  Nor should our teaching and expectations.  Regardless of how the world around us tries to apply unchristian attitudes and actions on us, we should never "conform to the pattern of this world" (Romans 12:2a-NIV).

Let me explain briefly how those factors named above helped our family with sharing.  They worked individually as well as jointly.  The time frame (30's to 50's) was a period of economic depression, with war time shortages, but also with family awareness.  Large families in rural areas were the norm.  We were fortunate to have mostly one gender which made "hand-me-downs" simpler.  (Most parents seem to agree that it is easier to clothe boys than girls.)

Sharing in play time, sleeping arrangements, chores and eating were all affected by each of the factors listed. For example, the younger boys were always thrilled to be with "the big boys"--wearing what they used to wear, playing the games they enjoyed playing and, in general, doing whatever they did.  "The big boys" had the honor of choices.  The little ones were allowed to do what "the big boys" did.  "The big boys" had the experience and were looked up to.  So, in actual experience, sharing helped both to get what they wanted (needed).

Another example is in the active participation in church.  We received the spiritual education we needed  along with practice.  Then, when we were at home, we were closely supervised by our parents (or older, responsible siblings) to keep us accountable.

Don't misunderstand.  We weren't perfect.  Far from it.  We made our allotment of mistakes (and were duly corrected).  My point is this:  SHARING IS IMPORTANT IN OUR LIVES.  However, it is not automatic.  We were all born with a self-centered nature.  Only teaching and training in godly morals and principles from God's Word along with the transformation of the heart by the Holy Spirit will help us develop a lifetime of sharing as Christians.

There are many forms and avenues that may be taken in order to share as Christians.  This venue, in one posting, is not capable of enumerating them all.  But, at the very least, it should be grasped by each of us who are Christ followers that 

• We ought to share the gospel message when, where and with whom we have the opportunity (Matthew 28:18-20).
• We ought to share the gospel message by whatever means we have available (that does not detract from the message.)  (Ephesians 5:16)

A blog such as this is simply another way to share the gospel message.  In fact, if it does not accomplish that, then I pray that God will give me the wisdom to shut it down.  There are three primary reasons for sharing the gospel.

• First and foremost--to bring glory to God.  Secondly,
• For the salvation of non-believers.  Also
• For the building up of the believers.

There are many ways and means for each of us to answer God's call to witness and share His message.  In relation to this blog and its gospel message, I sincerely ask you to share this on any and all of the social networks you use, such as Facebook.  This will reach your friends and contacts, who may do the same with theirs.  Google Plus (g+) is another means to share, whether you do so for all, just specific circles or for specific contacts within circles.  Whether you use a desk top, mobile or email, the hope is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.