Great Faith

What can be more disappointing than a healthy fruit tree that doesn't produce fruit! For me, it’s a stop in the produce department, eager to purchase a big beautiful Golden Delicious apple and … not one to be found. 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 - 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 observed of the religious leaders His whole ministry: complaints of eating on the wrong day, healing on the wrong day, forgiving the wrong people, sharing a meal with the wrong people, grumbling that He paid attention to children. Faith lacking evidence – a fruitless fruit tree. Just as fruit trees should produce fruit, Believers should be effectively express their faith. On a Galilean 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 is describing 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!