Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 3Sample

When we read through Mark 11, we see some interesting behaviour from Jesus towards the Fig Tree and the people in the Temple. These stories are not random stories about Jesus cursing a fig tree or losing his temper; these are ultimately two stories of fruitfulness.

From these stories, we can see three fundamental things about fruitfulness:

1. Leaves vs. Fruit

Jesus is not looking for spiritual busyness but lives of fruitfulness. We can have leaves like a fig tree and look great. We can be busy with activities in his church and have the appearance of fruit, but Jesus' desire for us is to bear fruit!

2. Take vs. Give

The people Jesus found in the temple were taking from others and from God. They were not there to worship God but to enhance their own lives through business. He wanted worshippers to pour out their hearts and sacrifices to God, not to shift the focus to themselves and what they could gain from others.

3. Hustle vs. Prayer

Jesus found the court filled with the hustle and bustle of business and trade. He had desired it to be a place of prayer and worship. Jesus is not looking for us to hustle our way through life, but to pray and worship our way through life.

Is your life bearing fruit today?

Are you a taker or a giver in life?

How busy are you? Are you hustling your way through life, or are you spending time in God’s courts, praying and seeking Him?

May you live as a fruitful Christian today!