September 7th - Reflection

Matthew 21:18-22 (NRSV)
Jesus teaches about praying in faith
In the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?" Jesus answered them, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive."
Reflection
This fig tree at this time of year would only have had some small fruit on it. But it didn't have any fruit on it. Jesus was with the people of Israel. God was with them. And Jesus could not see any fruit from his presence developing on his people.

It's not any different with you or I. God is patient with us, but at some time there will be a judgment. Jesus love and desire is that when that judgment comes we will have fruit developing. Jesus wants us to grow in faith and understanding and love. But there are those who choose not to do this. There are those who would rather choose their own way or go a different way and bear no fruit. Sadly, at the judgment, they will wither and die.

So here we see Jesus praying with examples for all people to have faith and grow fruit pleasing to God. Sometimes we get hung up in the miracle and miss the message. And most times there are so many messages. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, open my eyes to your presence in my life and build my faith so that I am fruitful to your liking. May I hear your teaching, see your teaching, and understand your teaching that I may act out on what you would have me do... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen