Supernatural

Matt. 21:18-19 

"18 Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 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.

This story is actually repeated several times in Scripture which should tell us a little something about it's importance. Not only is what is said important, but also what is not said is just as important. The text gives us the rationalization for his approaching the fig tree in the first place. Namely, "he was hungry." We then see him approach the tree with the presumed expectation that there would be fruit available produced by the tree to satisfy his condition. When he does not find the fruit, he then curses the "unproductive" tree.

Mark expands a little on the facts of this case. In his account, we read:

Mark 11:13

"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."

So it appears that there was a perfectly rational explanation for the absence of figs on this poor tree! The reason? It wasn't the season for figs. Nature itself conspired against the Lord's wishes. And so, the parable begs the question, "Why would the Lord curse a tree that merely did, or in this case, did not do, just as it was programmed by nature to respond to it's environment?" It behaved as expected, and this somehow caused Jesus to curse it, rather than accept or ignore it.

You see, the lesson is less about fruitfulness or the lack thereof, than it is about expecting the supernatural. A believer should live in the expectation of the supernatural to meet his earthly needs. Jesus makes the point even clearer as the story continues in the Matthew account:

Matt. 21:20-22

"20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed.  "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. 21 Jesus replied,  "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain,  'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." 

You see, Jesus does not say, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer so long as your request is rational." This entire story is about obtaining supernatural results from natural things. Jesus expected the tree to behave supernaturally in order to meet His requirements of it. That's the very same thing he expects from every one of us. If we are to please a supernatural God, we must behave like the supernatural people he has made us to be. Learn to expect the supernatural in your family, finances, & friendships. Put Him first in all things, then brace yourself for HIS supernatural intervention on your behalf.

Love ya,

Pastors Mario