Key Verse: When
the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so
quickly?" they asked.
Matthew 21:20
What a
confusing story this is. It appears to be a miracle in reverse. Why would Jesus
curse a fig tree, especially when it wasn't even the season for figs yet? Who
is this Jesus that we are coming to know? Yesterday, we saw His righteous anger
and now, today, we see Him curse a part of His very own creation.
We will be
discovering other lessons from this incident in days to come. Today, however,
what we should consider is similar to the lesson that Jeremiah learned from his
visit to the potter's house. God told Jeremiah to visit a potter. When Jeremiah
arrived, he saw a potter hard at work, creating some sort of container.
Unfortunately, however, it wasn't going very well for the potter.
For some
reason, the pot wasn't turning out as he wished, so that potter picked up the
clay,
made it a lump and began again. The potter wasn't about to continue on
with a bad job. The pots that he was making were a testimony to his talent and
ability. If he created sub-standard pots, no one would buy them, but if he
created good pots, they would sell, helping him financially, but also adding to
his reputation as a fine craftsman as word spread about his wares. As the
creator, the potter had the right to do as he wished with the clay for his
glory.
We see today that it is the same with God. We don't understand the wisdom of God cursing something of His own creation, especially when it wasn't even supposed to have figs yet. But He is the creator and He has the right to do so for His glory.
It is the
same with us. "For My own name's sake I delay My wrath; for the sake of My
praise I hold it back from you, so as not to cut you off. See, I have refined
you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For
My own sake, for My own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed?? I
will not yield My glory to another." (Isaiah 48:9-11) Sometimes in our
walk with the Lord, we feel like the withered tree. We feel cursed, cast off
and fruitless. It is hard to understand how our lives could possibly bring God
glory as they are now.
Unlike the
fig tree, however, our story is not over. Jesus cursed the fig tree for the
lessons He could teach for God's glory. However, Jesus did not die for the fig
tree, but He did die for you to give you a "Hope and a future."
(Jeremiah 29:11) When you can trust that what is happening to you is to make
you more glorious for His reputation, you can more easily let go of your plans
and your ways and embrace His. Remember, He is the potter. You are the clay.
Trust in what He is doing and someday, you will reflect His glory more brightly
than you ever could on your own.
Hymn: "Have Thine Own Way, Lord"
Hymn: "Have Thine Own Way, Lord"
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