Currently I am on a study retreat away from the office. During my devotions this morning I came across something in the life of Jesus that got me thinking. (Thinking for me can be very danerous.) Mark 11: 12b, "...Jesus was hungry." Now that is a man statement, "I am hungry". Out of normal hunger, Jesus looked to get some food. In the distance he saw a fig tree with leafs on it, leafs were a sign (I've been told) for a fig tree that it had fruit on it. Jesus approached the tree and He discover it had no fruit, thus no food to satisfy His hunger. Now we all know when a man is hungry he can get a little ticked, a little on the edge. When our boys were at home, Melody, their mother, learned the importance of food for boys. Food always seems to calm the "beast"within. Boys seem to function better when they are not hungry, especially when they are growing. Let's get back to Jesus. Once He (Jesus) realized there was no fruit you could say He got ticked off. The disciples there said He cursed the tree. In fact after a few days they walked by that tree and saw it had withered from the roots up. Wow, don't mess with Jesus if He is hungry. But here is where we have to stop and ask ourselves, is there a leason, a teaching, a principle here in this story? Is God trying to say something to us here? The answer is, of course. Nothing is placed in scripture except to teach us something about life and our walk with Him. Here is a thought to consider. The fig tree gave a perception that is had friut. Leafs on a fig tree, I have been told, meant there was suppose to be fruit on the tree, even if it was out of season. Leafs meant fruit. It gave the perception of being able to satisfy ones hunger. I think Jesus cursing the tree, causing it to die, was more related to a truth instead of Him being hungry. Here is a truth I came away with: Perception without reality is not good and should be avoided, in fact not only avoided but it's deadly and harmful. Yes, Jesus was hungry, but the perception of reality was only a perception. There was no fruit to back it up! So how does this relate to life? Two things to keep in mind. First, just because something looks like it will meet your need doesn't mean it will, it could be a fraud. Have a process in place to make sure it's the real deal. Second, regarding our faith in Christ. Ask yourself this question, "Is what I am doing now helping me follow Christ or is what I am doing now not giving me the results in knowing/folowing Him?" Heres another question that could produce some guilt, that's not my intention though, "Am I person that gives the perception of being a follower of Christ but doesn't having any fruit to back it up?" Wow, that's a question everyone should ask. So are we the real deal or pretenders?
May the God of heaven grant us wisdom and insight into being who we are without pretense, trying to be something we are not. For me that is a struggle every pastor has to deal with since we are looked up to as leaders and examples to other. I want to be authentic even though it may not meet everyones approval. Just some thoughts to consider.
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