“And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ And the fig tree withered at once.” – Matthew 21:19

At first glance, this seems like quite an odd little story! It feels so unlike Jesus. Why would He curse a tree by the side of the road?!? Two things help us understand the deeper meaning of the story. The first is that the tree had beautiful, healthy leaves and gave every appearance that it should have fruit growing on it. It looked good from a distance but produced nothing of value. The second is that the fig tree was a symbol of the nation of Israel.

What Jesus does with the tree is a metaphor for what He’s doing in Jerusalem. In the context of what’s happening early in the week that He would be crucified, Jesus is symbolically condemning a nation that looks great from a distance but is producing no spiritual fruit. A nation that prided itself in holy rituals, rule following, and appearances but had no love for God in their hearts. In condemning the fig tree, Jesus condemned all Israel with its busy and proud Pharisees and Sadducees but no real spiritual fruit as God’s people. Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of holy appearances and hard, unholy, untransformed hearts.

Bringing this story forward to the present day, Jesus hasn’t changed. He still condemns those who appear religious and claim His name as Christians but live unfruitful, unholy, selfish, untransformed lives. The invitation to follow Jesus isn’t about joining an honor society. It’s about submitting your life to the Lordship of Jesus. It’s about taking up your cross daily and denying yourself to love and serve God and neighbors. It’s about growing the fruit of the Spirit in your life while making disciples as you go through life. If a Christian isn’t doing those things, then he or she isn’t different from that fig tree! #FollowJesus

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.” – Mark 10:52

Happy Reformation Day! While most people are celebrating something else today, this is the true cause for celebration. October 31, 1517 marks the beginning of what would become the Protestant Reformation. Though there had been various reform movements in prior centuries, this is the one that gained lasting traction and guided Christians in the West back to the simple faith and clear teaching of Scripture. In protesting the corrupt sale of indulgences to fund church construction by claiming to release souls from suffering in purgatory, Martin Luther began a return to the authority of Jesus, the Word made flesh, and the Bible, the Word of God.

At the heart of the Reformation was the return to the Bible as the authoritative teaching of God over against any and all man-made traditions in the church. Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone! The crown jewel of the return to Scripture was the rediscovery of the Gospel and the doctrine of Grace. We are saved not by good works or by the efforts of the church but by God’s grace alone (Sola Gratia) through faith alone (Sola Fide) in Christ alone (Solus Christus). All for the glory of God alone (Soli Deo Gloria)!

In returning to the plain teachings of Jesus, the Apostles, and the prophets, our eyes were collectively opened. Like blind men and women who were desperate to see Jesus, Christians in the West recovered their sight and were free to follow Jesus. He is our only means of salvation. The healing of our souls from slavery is only accomplished through faith in Him. Like that blind man who was healed, #FollowJesus!

“Nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” – Luke 17:21

The Kingdom of God isn’t some far off future thing. Jesus is emphatic that the Kingdom of God is here already. When Jesus first began His earthly ministry, He established the Kingdom of God here on Earth. Today, the Kingdom is everywhere that Jesus is worshiped and praised. The Kingdom is everywhere that souls are saved, lives are transformed, and sinful people are forgiven, cleansed, and reconciled to their holy Creator. The Kingdom is where the people of God labor in the power of God to care for the sick, the poor, the oppressed, and the vulnerable in the name of Jesus.

Before the Kingdom of God broke in, everything in this world was the domain of darkness. It was the domain of the devil. When Jesus came, God’s Kingdom of light, holiness, and beauty began breaking in and pushing back the borders of darkness. The spiritually dead were raised to life. People experienced and expressed true love through Jesus Christ. God could be known and worshiped as He is.

If you’ve been saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, then you’re already a citizen of God’s Kingdom. It isn’t merely something you’ll experience when Jesus returns (that’s when He’ll complete the Kingdom). You’re already living in the Kingdom! Recognize God’s Kingdom in your life, your church, and your community. Live in obedience to the teachings and example of Jesus. Have the values and character of the King. Work for the Kingdom. Delight in the Kingdom. Invite people into the Kingdom. Don’t miss the blessing of everyday Kingdom living because you think it’s something down the road. The Kingdom of God is in your midst! #FollowJesus

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” – Luke 15:31-32

The final word in the famous parable of the Prodigal Son isn’t to or about those far from God. It’s a word to those seemingly near to Him. It’s a word to the compliant son, the Pharisee, or the faithful church-goer. If you’ve been a Christian for awhile, it’s a word to you. It’s a warning to have the heart of God toward those who took a long, painful, circuitous, sinful journey on their way to finally coming to the Lord. Arguably, this is the most important point of the parable…

God has tremendous love for those who’ve rebelled against Him, rejecting Him for the fleeting pleasures of the world. Though they’ve covered themselves in the filth of sin and degradation, God looks forward to the day when they repent of their sins and turn to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. He celebrates that moment and rushes to them with open arms. He welcomes them into His family because He is gracious.

Unfortunately, His people don’t always feel the same way. Those who haven’t fallen into obvious depravity, those who’ve faithfully been attending church for years, can be cold, hard, and judgmental toward those newly restored to God’s family. We can condemn them as they try to join our Bible studies or enter our churches. Why? Because they don’t yet look, dress, talk, or act like “they should”. They still have the raw, rough edges of the world about them. They don’t speak the unique language of Christians. They are precious and beloved by God but may be received coldly by His people.

The point of the parable? Don’t be like that! When you encounter someone who has embraced Jesus, love and embrace them. Your Father in Heaven already has. Your Savior already has. If you’re more eager to question them, doubt them, or judge them than hug them, then you’re the older son Jesus is talking about. Align your heart to God. Love the broken people who come to love Him. Make them welcome in your church or small group. Teach them to follow Jesus without turning up your nose at their shortcomings. #FollowJesus

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” – Luke 12:20-21

Are you rich toward God? Think about that honestly for a minute or two. This isn’t a question that depends on how much money you have. You may have a little or you may have a lot. This is about your attitude toward that money. What is it for?

Is the purpose of your money to honor God by providing for your basic needs, blessing others, and advancing God’s Kingdom? Or is its purpose to build you up, give you comfort and confidence in yourself, and advance your kingdom? Whether you have a little or a lot, God blesses us with everything we have. God is always rich toward us. He has given us His Son, Jesus. He has given us forgiveness of sins and eternal life by grace through faith in Jesus. He has given us every blessing we’ve ever experienced and everything we “own”.

God is rich toward you. Are you rich toward Him? Are you generous with your time, talent, and earthly treasure? Do you try to find ways to put all three to use for His glory? Or do you make excuses? Do you make joyful sacrifices to help others in the name of Jesus? To tell others about Jesus? To make disciples? To support the bride of Christ, which is the local church? Though we’re saved by grace and secure in that salvation, every Christian will give account to God for how he or she managed the time, talent, and treasure He entrusted to them. Don’t manage your money in such a way that God will call you a fool! #FollowJesus