Read the Book: Fall Bible Planনমুনা

Trucks and Fig Trees

Matthew 21:18-19

There are at least 10 used car lots I pass every morning on my way to and from work. Some have a mix of cars, trucks, and SUVs, while some specialize in one particular type of vehicle. One advertises themselves as specializing in trucks, or at least that’s how their sign reads, but I find it interesting that there’s not one single truck on their lot. I don’t know about you, but if someone specializes in trucks, then you’d think they would have at least a few trucks for sale. Jesus confronted a similar issue when he saw a fig tree with leaves and was expecting to find it bearing fruit.

Matthew 21:18-19 reminds us that as Christians, we are called to bear spiritual fruit. But more importantly, this passage warns us about the false pretenses of spiritual fruit.

The fig tree, like the bustling temple courts that Jesus visited, was putting on a good show. And that made it even worse. It’s one thing to lack fruit out of season, but it’s another thing to lack fruit while pretending to have it.

When we focus on our outward Christian life, we can become wrapped up in pretense. It is far too easy to live a Christian routine apart from any genuine connection to God. Ultimately, we can fall into a trap of putting on a holy façade without experiencing real heart transformation, no fruit of holiness, and no intimacy with God. Like the truck lot and the fig tree, we are not what we appear to be.

So, my friends, are you bearing fruit?

Family connection: Ask your family this question: "How would you feel if you planted an apple tree and not a single apple grew on it?" Read Matthew 21:18-19. Tell your family that in this verse, Jesus was talking about us! God planted us on this earth to produce fruit. Ask, "What kind of fruit do you think God expects? How do we grow fruit?"