40 Days to the Cross - Day 3

Day 3 The Withered Tree

Scripture
Matthew 21:18-22 (HCSB) 18 Early in the morning, as He was returning to the city, He was hungry. 19 Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves. And He said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” At once the fig tree withered. 20 When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” 21 Jesus answered them, “ I assure you: If you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you tell this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. 22 And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Also at Mark 11:20-26

Devotion
It would be really easy to get to this passage and say – “WOW! Jesus can make a tree wither.” And then move on. Of course, it is true that Jesus can make a tree wither, but that is not the point He is trying to make to the disciples and to us! The point is that a fruitless tree is like a fruitless disciple – worthless. Another point is that if you exercise faith in your life, you will not be fruitless. God will use you in incredible ways.
If we are not careful as we seek to be “fruit bearing trees” we may go about it all wrong. We may seek the fruit. But trees do not start with the fruit. They must be cultivated and they must have fertilizer and they must have the sun and water. In the same way, we as disciples must continue to cultivate our relationship with Jesus so that as we are healthy, we will produce fruit. Healthy trees produce fruit. So should healthy disciples.

Questions
What are some areas of discipleship you could improve in your life?
How will you choose to improve?
What can you do today?

Prayer
Dear God: help me to be a healthy disciple who produces fruit! Amen