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 (Living Waters 1983 Volume 2)
The Barren Tree

Catherine Yates

One morning Jesus Christ was on His way to the Temple where He would teach people about the kingdom and righteousness of God (Lk 21:38, Jn 8:2).  He passed by a fig tree and intended to pick some fruit for breakfast.  He searched in vain for figs and cursed the tree.  The fig tree withered immediately.  This episode teaches us that we shall never lack the substance of genuine faith.  The Lord detests those who hold the form of religion but deny its power (2 Tim 3:5).  He denounced the Pharisees and scribes who had religious fervency but failed to walk in the righteousness of God:

            You tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith. (Mt 23:23)

            You cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity. (Mt 23:25)

            Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and love salutations in the market places and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor of feasts, and for a pretense make long prayers (Lk 20:46-47)

A parable in the Gospel of Luke reveals the importance of bearing fruit.  To the disappointment of the master, a fig tree has not yielded fruit for three years.  The master demanded that the fig tree be cut down, for it had taken up the ground.  The vine dresser interceded for the barren tree, desiring to be fruitful, then have it reprieved.  If the tree could no longer master could then dispose of the tree and remove it from the orchard.

It is important for every true believer to match his deed with his faith.  All the ministers, religious education teachers, and Bible students must pray that God would have mercy and longsuffering to His workers and His children.  All of us must be aware that the Heavenly Father demands the fruit, not the lavish leaves from us in the vineyard of God, We must therefore bear the fruit of holiness, charity, and righteousness so as to glorify Him (Rom 6:22, Gal 5:22-23, 2 Cor 9:10, Phil 4:17, Jn 15:1-8).

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