DEVOTION – DAY 384

Matthew 21:18-19 “Dead Religion”

Matthew 21:18-19 “Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately, the tree withered.

Jesus had just cleared the Temple in Jerusalem of all the merchant traders for the second time, angering the Pharisees. That night, He chose to stay outside of Jerusalem. He woke up early the next day to return to Jerusalem. Jesus was with His disciples and He was hungry. Noticing a fig tree by the roadside, he went up to the tree to look for some figs. At that time of the year, it was not the season for figs to ripen. But it was common for fig trees to be covered by leaves and to have unripen green figs. The fruit were edible even though they were un-ripened. Jesus went looking for un-ripened figs to eat. But we are told in v19 that the fig tree did not bear a single fruit. All it had were leaves. Jesus then cursed the tree and the tree immediately withered.

Jesus carried out many miracles during His ministry on earth. All his miracles benefited people. But the event recorded in Matt.21:18-19 above was the only miracle that caused something to be destroyed. What was Jesus trying to teach His disciples and us?

Since this miracle took place following the clearing of the Temple, Jesus was making a point about the Pharisees. They were considered to be the most religious people in Israel, but they were really promoting a dead religion. They were going through their religious acts more to impress the Jews, rather than to worship or to please God. They were seeking the praise and attention of men, and not from God. They were just like the fig tree, which was full of leaves, but did not bear a single fruit. Thus, Jesus cursed it and the tree died. It symbolized that the Pharisees’ religion was not pleasing to the Lord because it was a dead religion. It was useless, just like the barren fig tree.

Today, we see the same thing. We have friends who would consider themselves Christians because they grew up in a Christian family. They go to church every Christmas and Easter because these were Christian festive events. They give each other presents for Christmas, and put up a Christmas tree at home. But they live their lives as they please and consider Christianity on their terms. Such an attitude is the same as having a dead religion. They do not have a relationship with Jesus as their Lord.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, please help us to guard our hearts and minds against taking you for granted, or lightly. Please help us to have a vibrant and vital relationship with you, our Lord and Savior. We humbly ask this in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Questions

  1. How can you safeguard your hearts and minds against taking the Lord lightly in your lives? Read Romans 12:1-2. Discuss.
  2. Why is God not pleased if we practice a dead form of religion?
  3. What are some things we should be doing that would help us to have a vital and vibrant relationship with the Lord? Share and Discuss.