Let’s be honest - we all want to be blessed.  Entire faith movements have been birthed out of this deep desire.  I believe this journey with Jesus is much more about sacrifice than blessing - but my eyes are drawn to the “BLESSED” in scripture.  Today was such the case.

First, I think we all know the narrative well about Jesus and the Fig Tree.  Jesus, hungry, approaches a Fig Tree in hopes of what - a fig to eat.  Matthew 21.19 says he found nothing on it except leaves.  So He does what every “god” would do - cursed the tree and watch it wither.  Of course Jesus turned this miracle into a lesson for his amazed disciples about faith and doubting.  But there is always more to the story.

This morning during my devotions I was reminded of the Fig Tree.  I was reading Psalm 1 and it begins with “Blessed is the man” and that peeks my interest.  Verse one talks about the blessed not walking, standing, or sitting with the wicked.  Verse two is about the blessed passion for His law, but verse three (oh, verse three) says “the blessed is like a tree planted by streams of water that yeild fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers (paraphrased).” 

Three points.  First, Matthews narrative about the Fig Tree says it grew by the road.  The blessed in psalm is planted by streams of water.  But Jesus expected fruit from the tree by the road.  I think its important we remain aware of our surroundings and plant ourselves where life, movement, and growth can happen.

Second, Jesus cursed the tree and it withered fast - so fast the disciples were amazed.  The blessed tree in psalm “does not wither.”  Now the supernatural took place in Matthew’s narrative, but the lesson is the blessed tree produces fruit and has no reason/cause to wither.  I want to produce fruit.

Last, Jesus closes His lesson on faith with these words, “If you believe, you will recieve whatever you ask for in prayer (Matt 21.22).”  Sounds very similar to the last line of Psalm 1.3 (NIV) when it reads, “whatever he does prospers.”  I like to think that whatever the righteous ask for will prosper, be successful, thrive.  I like that thought.

Categories: faith