out of the ordinary | the food

God frequently works through the ordinary. Through them he shares something of his love for us and reveals elements of his redemption plan. In this devotional series we look at some of the ordinary things Jesus would have encountered as he journeyed towards the cross. We're looking at every day food items this week. Holy Spirit, will you reveal something extraordinary through each of them. Amen.

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” Mark 11:12-14, NIV

There are many references to figs in the Bible, mostly in the Old Testament but Jesus talks about them, too. Perhaps not surprising since figs were plentiful in the Middle East and part of the staple diet, but their inclusion is also symbolic.

Figs speak of prosperity, welfare, security, and the blessing of God to his chosen people since, unlike other fruit trees, figs produce fruit both in the Spring and Autumn. Double fruitfulness. Two harvests a year! Twice the fruit. But they also speak of barrenness and unfruitfulness. A fig tree with leaves but no fruit is simply taking up space!

Both Jesus and James use figs to explain that actions flow from the heart and a tree with no fruit has a problem at its heart. Thank God, because of the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us we don’t have to be fruitless. We can use everything God has given us to speak life and effect change wherever we are.

Let's pray
Father, thank you that I can be just like a fig tree - a double blessing to those around me. Thank you that I can speak life and affect change. Thank you that because I know the truth I can see others released to be all they can be in you. Make me increasingly fruitful, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.