Withering Away
By Pastor James May
The time for Jesus to pay the price for the sin of man was fast approaching. He had entered the City Gates of Jerusalem riding upon a donkey and was met by cheering crowds and the waving of palm branches. He received the welcome of a conquering king; someone who had finally dared to rise enough in power among the people to cast off the heavy hand of the Romans from the Jews. This was their hour of triumph! The Deliverer had come! They looked upon Jesus as the savior of the nation of Israel; one who could reunify the nation and bring back peace, freedom and prosperity.
Of course, this was all true of Jesus, but the peace, freedom and prosperity that he would bring was not what the Jews expected. Their focus was on earthly things while Jesus’ focus was on things eternal. His peace was a peace far greater than anything the world could offer. His freedom was an uncommon freedom; a freedom that did not depend upon who sat upon the throne of human government. His prosperity had little to do with worldly wealth.
Jesus came that we might have peace; an inward peace that will remain no matter what turmoil is going on in our lives. He came that we might have freedom; freedom from guilt, sin and shame; and freedom from condemnation. He came that our heart, soul and spirit would prosper as we serve the Lord and trust in God to meet the needs of the body.
But because their hearts were set upon earthly kingdoms, we see the Jews proclaiming with one voice as Jesus enters the gate, “Hosanna…Hosanna in the highest….Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord….blessed is the kingdom of David!” They were convinced that the time of the rising of Israel from the ashes of defeat had come and that Israel would once again be the nation that it once was, proud and independent.
Jesus was not deceived by the actions of these Jews. He accepted their praise and he fully deserved all of it; but he also knew that it was to be short-lived. That praise would soon turn to curses as the march to Golgotha’s Hill went steadily onward.
The first thing Jesus did was to go to the temple in Jerusalem. If there was any place in the city where he would be at ease, it should have been at the temple; the very House of God, dedicated to the service and praise of God; and thus to Jesus himself.
But when he arrived at the temple Jesus found that this was not the House of God that it should have been. Everywhere he turned there were people making money off of those who came to worship. It was extortion in the name of serving God.
The Jews were required to make sacrificial offerings in the temple; and those who sold the animals needed for the sacrifices, charged exorbitant prices. To make matters worse, the necessary sacrificial animals could not be purchased with ordinary money because much of it was considered unclean, bearing the image of Caesar. In order to buy any sacrifice, those who came to worship had to exchange their common money for temple money. Of course the High Priest and his cohorts had set an unfair exchange rate so that you didn’t get an even trade in value, giving less back in temple money than what they received in common money. This was nothing more than a “Get Rich Quick” scheme dreamed up by the rulers of the temple and they were getting rich off of the heart of worship of the people.
What did Jesus come to the temple hoping to find? Matthew 21:13 gives us the answer.
Matthew 21:13, "And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."
I wonder how many churches today would experience the anger of Jesus as he cast out those who extort offerings from the people, those who preach a gospel of worldly prosperity and have transformed the church into a marketplace for their books, CD’s, DVD’s and even requesting offerings in payment for prayers of blessings from the Lord. How many men today are selling the gospel to those who will pay their price? How many are selling cheap trinkets with the promise of greater returns. What’s the difference between this and the operations of the money changers at the temple in Jesus’ day?
Jesus came to the temple hoping to find his people engaged in prayer and praise before God. Instead of selling merchandise and making money, there should have been a prayer meeting going on 24 hours a day. Instead of stealing and extortion, there should have been healing and deliverance. Instead of lying and deceiving, there should have been the preaching of the truth, and the revelation of the arrival of the Messiah of Israel. But the focus wasn’t on things eternal; only on things of the world.
What does Jesus see in us today? Does he see us, his church, as people who are focused on the right things? Do we see visions of a life of ease; rather than a life of sacrifice and service to the Lord? Do we see things from an eternal perspective; or are we still looking only upon the desires of the flesh? Does he see a church that is all about prayer and a church that has a true heart of worship; or does he see a church that is more concerned about worldly causes and recognition and has little time for building a true relationship with Jesus?
This past week, I believe that I’ve seen the true heart of the people here at Victory Temple. For the past two weeks I’ve seen the faithfulness and dedication of many of you who truly have heart after God. You gave sacrificially of your time, your labor of love and your finances; and I have no doubt that Jesus is pleased with the heart of love that has shone forth.
I can’t judge all of you for sure, but if I can base my case upon the fruits of righteousness that you have borne, then I believe that God is well pleased with our congregation. Who knows, but God alone; what impact was made on everyone who came to the Camp Meeting and then to the 40 or more children who came every night to the VBS. Thank you for your service to Christ, and for your service to your fellowman.
Though we want to give all praise to the Lord; I think it is appropriate for us to show our appreciation to our brothers and sisters in the Lord for their hard work.
I have heard reports of how excellent the worship team was and how much they blessed us in leading us. I have heard nothing but praise for those who led our children in worship in the VBS. The Tribe leaders and teachers and helpers did a wonderful job with the lessons. And of course, the trip through Mary’s house and the conversion of Eunice during the week of VBS was great for the kids to see. Then those who worked in the market place where all of the crafts were there for the kids to see, each one teaching them a little more about Jesus, were outstanding.
Somewhere, along with grass growing out of plastic cups filled with dirt, there are seeds of the gospel that are beginning to grow as well. Somewhere the wool of the sheep are reminding kids of the Lamb of God who came to save them. Somewhere kids are looking at their beads n a stick, or the sweet smelling olive oil from the shops and thinking of the lessons that they learned while in those shops. And somewhere there’s a little wooden sheep, rolling on the table or the floor, reminding kids that Jesus is the Lamb of God, the Savior of the world.
And, of course, no job well done is finished until the clean up is completed, so I want to also say thank you to those who came back yesterday and helped get the church back in order for today’s services, otherwise some of you might be sitting on the floor and there would be no classes going on in the back.
The whole VBS setup was a marvel to behold and we especially thank Sis. Melanie and those who planned it, and made it work. All of you who were involved performed brilliantly. It was tiring and required sacrifices from all of us, but it was well worth the price.
I believe that’s what Jesus is looking for in his house. Whether it was the temple in Jerusalem, or this church we are in today, or any other place that is supposed to be dedicated to the work of the Lord and to his glory. Jesus is looking for fruit! He is searching for that which will bring glory to his name, lead people to know him better, and create a vision fit for the kingdom of God. Jesus is looking for a church that not only looks good on the outside, but is bearing fruit in the ministry that it performs in his name. The real test of a church is not in how big it is, but in whether people are coming to know Jesus and are changing to be in his image each day.
Jesus cleansed the temple and re-established it as a house of prayer. Those who were there only to get rich were cast out and then Jesus entered the temple where those who were blind, lame and in need of prayer were brought to him. Once again, the heart of God reached out to those in need. Once again, the prayer of faith, and the miracle working power of God was in operation in the House of God.
I want to continue on a little with this story though, because it doesn’t stop with Jesus sitting in the temple performing miracles for those in need.
Jesus left the temple that day and walked about a mile down the road to the little town of Bethany. More than likely, he stayed at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, and then started back to Jerusalem early the next morning. As he walked along the road Jesus was preparing to teach us a valuable lesson by using a fig tree that grew by the side of the road.
Matthew 21:18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Matthew 21:20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
The Book of Mark tells us that Jesus saw the fig tree on his way to temple the day before, before he went in to cleanse the temple. Then after ministering in the temple he went to Bethany. Then on the next morning, he came back by and the tree was withered.
Matthew doesn’t give this much detail, but the story is the same. The fact is that Jesus was hungry and looking for something to eat.
This is a picture of what Jesus is doing right now. I believe that the Spirit of the Lord goes throughout the world searching for that which will satisfy the desire of his heart. What does the Lord desire? He desires a people who will worship him in spirit and in truth. He desires a church where people are coming to know him and serve him. He desires a place where those who are lost in sin can come to an old-fashioned altar and surrender their hearts to him. The programs we have and all the things that we do as a church must be for that purpose; to fulfill the desires of the heart of God for his people. We must be focused on Jesus and things eternal; not on the here and now alone.
What does the fig tree represent? It represented the condition of Israel in that day; but it also can represent the condition of the church and of each of us individually right now.
Israel was a nation that was blessed above all others by God. They were chosen to bring forth the knowledge of God to a world lost in the darkness of sin and idolatry. They had the Law of God. They were blessed beyond measure. From all outward appearance, they were like the fig tree, full of beautiful green leaves, well watered, nourished by the Lord and appearing to be greater in the eyes of God than any other nation.
But when Jesus came to Israel as that baby in a manger; and later as he began his earthly ministry among the Jews, he began looking for the fruits of believe and true worship of God. These were the fruit on the fig tree that Jesus wanted. The only thing that gives pleasure to the heart of God is the true worship of men who willingly love God and serve him. Jesus didn’t find much of this in Israel. In a fashion, they were as barren as this fig tree that had no figs.
Much has been said about this fig tree, trying to give it an excuse for not bearing fruit. Maybe it wasn’t the time for fruit. Maybe the weather had been dry. Maybe this or that. Let me just say that whenever the God of Heaven comes looking for fruit, no matter what excuse we may give; if the fruit isn’t there, it’s not God’s fault; it’s ours. Would it not be logical to think that the same God who spoke the fig tree into existence could also speak fruit to be upon it? Though Jesus was using the things of the natural world to teach a lesson; the lesson that he wanted to teach goes far beyond the fig tree. The point is that the fig tree represented people who have a will and must willingly produce fruit. God will give us every means to do it; but it is our responsibility to bear the fruit that he desires in our lives.
Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered overnight. It went from the most beautiful fig tree on the road to a dead tree fit only to be pulled up and burned in a very short time, so short in fact, that it astounded the disciples. When the blessings of God depart from a church; from a nation; or from an individual; how quickly does it wither and die! Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and when his spirit departs, or the curse of God is upon us, then there is no life remaining. That’s the condition of every lost sinner, of every nation that forgets God and of every church that does not preach the truth of the gospel. They might all look pretty, but they are barren of fruit and dying quickly, they just don’t know it yet.
When Jesus cursed the fig tree, in effect he was passing that same curse onto the nation of Israel, because it was fruitless and barren as his chosen nation. Less than 40 years later, Jerusalem would be utterly destroyed and Israel would be dispersed throughout the nations, where for nearly 2000 years, the Jews would be persecuted and hunted: people without a home.
All around the world today, there are dead churches; and people in those churches who are spiritually dead. The Spirit of the Lord has departed.
The nations of the world are spiritually dead as all nations have departed from serving the living God and began serving the idols of riches and power. The whole world is withering away right now; dead or dying because we have left the source of life and walked the pathway of destruction.
God’s curse is upon all of creation because of sin. The fires of judgment are soon to devour all of it away as God’s wrath is poured out upon the earth and upon sinful men. The final withering is underway. Nations are withering as they are already collapsing morally and financially. No nation on earth will escape the withering curse of sin. The whole of humanity is withering away. Immorality, addictions, disease, death and destruction haunt sinful men with the specter of death and there’s no answer to any of our major problems. As we are drawing ever nearer to the coming of Christ, the withering action is going to increase and events are going to begin to come in such quick succession that there will be little or no time for recovery. The economies of nations will grow worse; recessions will grow deeper and nation after nation will fall into bankruptcy. Natural disasters will increase in number and intensity. That’s what Jesus promises us in Matthew chapter 24 and all through the Book of Revelation.
Is there a hope? Yes – that hope is found in Jesus! That’s why we must work harder than every. Do more than we’ve ever done – all in an effort to produce the fruit that pleases God.
Faith must arise and we must walk on in the belief that God is with us and that nothing is impossible to him that will believe and trust God to fulfill his promises.
Jesus told us the solution to the problem of the fig tree.
Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
In these last days God is raising up a people who will walk in absolute faith; people who will believe Him and trust him and operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the point that nothing will cause them to waver in their faith. It’s going to take that kind of faith to understand what’s happening around us.
Not only will we be a part of God’s work, but we are going to see God move in miraculous ways. God is going to open doors of ministry and by the leading of the Holy Ghost, like that pillar of fire before the Children of Israel, lead his church into the very strongholds of Satan and bring defeat to the powers of darkness.
If we will but exercise our faith to believe; nothing shall be impossible. No mountain of financial need; no physical problem; no lack of resource problem; no governmental issues; no lack of anything; or any limitation shall be able to stop us if we will have faith to believe God for the victory.
When we ask in prayer, for those things that already in the will of God, and just believe, then we will see the hand of God move to bring it to pass.
While the world withers away; and dead churches wither and die; and sinful men wither under the pressures of a dying world; the church that has faith and will believe God will grow and prosper and bear fruit for the kingdom of God. We won’t be a church just full of pretty leaves; in fact, to the world, we may appear quite the opposite; but God’s not looking for pretty leaves; he’s looking for fruit and that’s what the church is all about; bearing fruit for Christ.
We might not be the prettiest fig tree on the highway, but the fruits of righteousness are there. Let’s continue walking in faithfulness. Let’s hold on to the heart of God. Let’s continue to show for the Love of God. Do not get weary in well doing! Keep pressing for the mark! We are not going to wither away; we are going to grow in Christ and march on to victory! Jesus is with us; the Holy Ghost is in us and we cannot lose. Victory is ours in Christ Jesus!
