LEAF IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR FRUIT

‘’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)

‘’Leaf is not a substitute for fruit’’ was one of the salient lessons that God taught us from Jesus encounter with the fruitless tree in Bethany (Mark 11:12-16). On that day, Jesus was attracted to the fig tree when he was hungry. The tree appeared to be fruitful from afar but when Jesus got close to it, He discovered it was just a facade - a tree with only leaves and no fruit at all. It was a seasonal fruit-bearing tree. Jesus was disappointed and he cursed the tree immediately. 

God expects us to be productive and fruitful for Him at all times (2 Timothy 4:2, Genesis 1:28). We must not be like that leaf- bearing and space occupying tree at Bethany. Leaves represents all the good things that can draw the attention of people towards us in life. They include our oratory skills, eloquent display and mastery of English, fat bank accounts, array of quality dresses, shoes and wristwatches, magnificent houses and cars, impressive academic qualifications, big titles and positions, affluence, social status etc. Obviously, these leaves are good to have but we must never forget that they cannot satisfy the hunger of God and give us eternal reward (John 4:34, 36). 

"The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!" - John 4:36 (NLT)

Another important point the Lord is drawing our attention to is the fact that "No Excuse is Tenable". Jesus would not have cursed that fruitless tree if it was possible for the tree to justify its fruitlessness with any excuse (Romans 2:1).

"Therefore you are inexcusable, O man,..." - Romans 2:1

Unfortunately, there are many leaf bearing and excuse fabricating believers in God's garden today. They give flimsy excuses for their inconsistency and unfaithfulness while flaunting their bogus leaves around. What a grievous blunder!

Friends, leaf is not a substitute for fruit and no excuse is tenable for being barren in God's garden. God is not satisfied with those ordinary leaves that many of us are busy displaying. All the good things of life that we are flaunting around are not a substitute for souls. We do not need to wait for those special and seasonal outreach programs before witnessing to unbelievers around us. In fact, no single day should ever pass by without us reaching out to someone with the Gospel. Jesus is still passing through our Bethany every day and eagerly looking out for those who can truly quench His hunger and thirst through their consistent evangelism and soul winning lifestyle. I hope we will not disappoint the Saviour too like that barren fig tree. How I wish we can be so passionate about souls that we will never go to bed in a day without witnessing to someone.  

This powerful hymn below gives a graphical illustration of how God deals with all fruitless fig trees in His garden:

THE BARREN FIG-TREE By John Newton

1 The church a garden is,

In which believers stand,

Like ornamental trees,

Planted by God's own hand:

His spirit waters all their roots,

And ev'ry branch abounds with fruits.

2 But other trees there are,

In this enclosure grow;

Which, though they promise fair,

Have only leaves to show:

No fruits of grace are on them found,

They stand but cumb'rers of the ground.

3 The under gard'ner grieves,

In vain his strength he spends,

For heaps of useless leaves,

Afford him small amends:

He hears the Lord his will make known,

To cut the barren fig-tree down.

4 How difficult his post,

What pangs his bowels move,

To find his wishes cross'd,

His labours useless prove!

His last relief, his earnest pray'r,

"Lord, spare them yet another year. 

5 "Spare them, and let me try,

What farther means may do;

I'll fresh manure apply,

My digging I'll renew;

Who knows but yet they fruit may yield,

If not--'tis just they must be fell'd."

6 If under means of grace,

No gracious fruit appear;

It is a dreadful case,

Tho' God may long forbear;

At length he'll strike the threaten'd blow

And lay the barren fig-tree low.

May God have mercy on us and not cut us down or curse us like that barren tree in Bethany in Jesus name, Amen

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, Pastor. E. A. Adeboye, I would like to invite you to the 72nd Annual Convention of RCCG. Theme: HEAVEN. Date:  Monday, August 5th to 11th, 2024. Venue: The Redemption City, Mowe, Nigeria. 

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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