Journey to the Cross: Great Faith

What can be more disappointing than a healthy fruit tree that refuses to produce fruit!  For me, it’s stopping in the produce department, eager to purchase a big beautiful Golden Delicious apple and … no apples.  On Monday of Jesus’ final week, as He walked with the disciples to Jerusalem, they passed a healthy [looking] fig tree. “… He went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And He said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ And the fig tree withered at once.” (Matthew 21:19).  The disciples observed and responded, I suspect, much the same we would have: huh?  Lukewarm faith – it’s what Jesus faced His whole ministry: complaints of eating on the wrong day, healing on the wrong day, forgiving the wrong people, eating with the wrong people, paying attention to children.  Faith lacking evidence – a fruitless fruit tree. Just as fruit trees should produce fruit, Christians should be effective in the expression of their faith. On a Galilee hillside, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world … Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16).  He describes great faith – faith on display, productive, effective, evident.  I find it particularly interesting this would be one of Jesus’ final teachings before the cross, before He laid His all down in display of such great and endearing love.  Oh, what a Savior!