Connecting With Jesus

Our Manna was prepared by Ate Sis Lea Hingpit

Good morning brothers and sisters in Christ.
This morning worship we are to study a significant lessons learned from Jesus the Parable of the fig tree… Written by: Ellen G. White.

A Doomed People
( the barren fig
tree)

Matthew 21:19- and when He saw a fig tree in the way, He came to it, and found nothing there on but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

The cursing of the fig tree was an acted Parable. The barren tree flaunting its pretentious foliage in the very face of Christ, was a symbol of the Jewish nation. The Savior desired to make plain to His disciples the cause and the certainty of Israel’s doom. For this purpose He invested the tree with moral qualities, and made it expositor of divine truth. The Jews stood forth distinct from all other nations, professing allegiance to God and had been specially favored by Him, and they laid claim to righteousness above every other people, but were corrupted by the love of the world and the greed of gain, boasted of their knowledge but were ignorant of God’s requirements. Like the barren tree they spread their pretentious branches aloft, luxuriant in appearance, and beautiful to the eye, but yielded “nothing but leaves.”
The Jewish religion, with its magnificent temples, sacred altars, its mitered priests and impressive ceremonies was indeed fair in outward appearance, but humility, love, and benevolence were lacking.
All the trees in the fig orchard were destitute of fruit ; but the leafless raised no expectation, and caused no disappointment… by this trees the GENTILES were represented. They were as destitute as were the Jews of godliness; but they had not professed to serve God. They made no boastful pretensions to goodness and were blind to the works and ways of God. They were, the time of figs was not yet.. Still waiting for a day which would bring them light and hope. The Jews who had received greater blessings from God, were held accountable for their abuse of these gifts.
Jesus had come to the fig tree hungry, to find food. So He had come to Israel, hungering to find in them the fruits of righteousness. He had lavished on them His gifts, that they might bring fruit for the blessing of the world. Every opportunity and privilege had been granted them, and in return He sought their sympathy and cooperation in His work of grace. He longed to see in them self- sacrifice and compassion, zeal for God, and deep yearning of soul for the salvation of their fellow men. Had they kept the law of God, they would have done the same unselfish work that Christ did. But love to God and man was eclipsed by pride and self-sufficiency. They brought ruin to themselves by refusing to minister to others. They did not give to the world the treasures of truth which God committed to them. The barren tree represents their sins and punishment- withered beneath the Saviours curse, standing forth sere and blasted and dried up by the roots. The fig tree showed what the Jewish people would be when the grace of God was removed from them. Refusing to impart blessings they would no longer received it. “Oh Israel, The Lord says, “thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.”

There is hope beyond if we will heed to Jesus’ warning. He loves Jews and Gentiles as well. Keep it up, with our faith burning… Nothing is impossible with God.

Blissful Sabbath everyone!