There was a fig tree... leafed out... looking as if it was full of fruit...
Jesus... being hungry... went to the tree... to be filled...
but there was no fruit in its branches...
And He said to it, Never again shall fruit grow on you!
And the fig tree withered up at once.
Matthew 21:19 Amp
Then... there were these teachers of the Law... Pharisees... scribes...
they looked to all... as if they would bear spiritual fruit to fill the people... but their ways... empty... corrupt...
So He told parables... exposing their hearts...
What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He came to the first and said, Son, go and work today in the vineyard.
And he answered, I will not; but afterward he changed his mind and went. Then the man came to the second and said the same [thing]. And he replied, I will [go], sir; but he did not go.
Which of the two did the will of the father? They replied, The first one. Jesus said to them, Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and harlots will get into the kingdom of heaven before you. ...
Matthew 21:28-31 Amp
Jesus has no patience for those who are hypocrites... posers... self-deceptive...
He longs for integrity of heart...
He hung out with... had grace for...sinners... because they knew what they were... they knew their need...
But the religious Jewish elite... put on a big show... and bore no nourishing spiritual fruit... only burdens of tradition... and the laws of men...
Even though the tax collectors... and harlots... said No to God at first... they did what He asked...
But the Pharisees... those who said Yes with their mouths... did not do God's will...
Like the fig tree... it's not how you look... it's what you bear...
No... Jesus has no use... for those who say one thing... and do another...
He bears it now... for a time... but in the end...
The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God) And cast them into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and wailing and grinding of teeth.
Matthew 13:49-50 Amp
How are you when it comes to hypocrisy...? do you do what you say...? is your life the same in private...? as it is in public...?
Maybe it's time to ask... Am I bearing fruit... for Him...?
There's always something to consider... on this journey... with Him...
This week's readings...
Monday... Matthew 23
Tuesday... Matthew 24
Wednesday... Matthew 25
Thursday... Matthew 26:1-35
Friday... Matthew 26:36-75
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