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| The Pulpit Mandate |
Historically, fig belongs to the
genus Ficus, a common group of
seasonal houseplants. Incidentally, Jesus was hungry and intended to feed on
its fruits but found nothing on it. As Omniscient God, Jesus
knew the fleshly categorization, but knowing that He has eternal life; the creative
ability that overrides nature, He confidently approached and requested for
fruits from the tree.
With a carnal mindset, the tree gave
a logical explanation; it was off-season to produce. This remarkably affirms
that all things in heaven and earth; animate and inanimate objects respond to
divinity vis-à-vis the mandate given
to the Lord, “…and behold a voice out of
the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear
ye him” Matthew 17:5. Since the term ‘Ye’ is indefinite article, implicitly,
Jesus is authoritatively crowned the supreme Lord.
In effect, dry bones recognized and obeyed His voice; corpse after four days in grave did same; sea, epilepsies, sicknesses, blindness, demons, and numerous others that equally did.
In effect, dry bones recognized and obeyed His voice; corpse after four days in grave did same; sea, epilepsies, sicknesses, blindness, demons, and numerous others that equally did.
In eternal life (Zoe), which is God’s
kind of life, the term ‘impossibility’ and season are aliens as characterized
with human life. It’s exclusively a life of faith and not of senses, and strictly
focuses on the supernatural abilities of God. It is in this vein that Sarah conceived
at rationally impossible-old age, simply because God decreed it by His word.
The fig tree forgot that God’s word
created seasons and times, and ought to respond as Peter at the sea, who
submitted to divinity in Christ through his response, “Master, we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless
at thy word I will let down the net”. Peter likewise had an option to maintain
his sensual position but turned to the Lord, thereby witnessed His glory.
Splendidly, a centurion had a clearer
perception of divinity, and expressed it by faith that God’s word is life and
spirit, and sharper than two edged sword (Hebrews 4:12); thus, his servant’s
instant healing. From remarkable deeds of Jesus, all the fig tree needed to do
at the sight of the Lord was to rejoice that the Lord found it worthy to be used as instrument for manifesting the wonders of God. It should have responded, ‘Lord, at thy word, I can’ in respect to Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me”.
Recall that when God graciously
wanted to save the world from sin, His word inexplicably planted Jesus in the
womb of Mary without biological conception or Mary’s efforts. Indeed, the fig
tree missed a golden opportunity unlike the dry bones (Ezekiel 37:7) which on
encounter with divinity received life and testimony.
Similarly, a woman from Samaria who
faced similar situation, but on realization of the personality of Jesus
submitted immediately even without seeing any water around her, and put her
faith to work with a concomitant response, “Sir,
give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hitherto draw”. (John
4:15)
Today, believers often disregard
divine opportunities but follow the pattern of the fig tree by relating with God through
carnal mindsets. Whenever God’s word is directed to a believer, all that is
required is ‘Yes lord’ irrespective of the gigantic size. If His word could say
it, His spirit is more than able to establish it. Whenever we locate our
positions in Christ through His word, not by dreams or revelations from some
persons, all that is required is to receive it into our spirit and respond to
Him in faith accordingly. As long as the vision is from Him, provision is guaranteed.
The bible says, “for to
be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God...” (Romans 8:6-7). This therefore justifies
the action Jesus took on the fig tree by cursing it to instant death because
the scripture cannot be broken. Jesus had to painfully die on the cross in the
place of sinners because the scripture had stated that “the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20) but added
that God will graciously save the world. Carnality will usually lead to death.
Jesus having turned water to wine and multiplied bread and
fishes was capable of turning the leaves of the fig into fruits instantly by His words, but unknown to
the tree, it relied on the natural rather than the supernatural. Its response
could have simply be ‘Lord, as you’re here, I can produce fruits even in this
season‘. Hence, when God gives a direction, never respond from human senses.
Just say ‘YES’, and wait for the power in His word to bring about the
manifestations to physical reality. In John 11:40, the scripture recorded, “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee,
that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? This
therefore endorses the precept that belief is a precursor to the
manifestations.
Significantly,He is the creator of all things, authority, redeemer,
saviour, intercessor, advocate and the Lord of hosts. Hence, we cannot be
disadvantaged. In every vessel, there is a hidden treasure deposited by God
HE can make use of which no man can decode. Just say ‘YES’ to Him in agreement over that
revelation or vision, the battle is the Lord’s. God can make your life
beautiful; make you a blessing; a great nation as He has spoken. Jehovah can
make the crooked places straight; break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in
sunder the bars of iron standing against you (Isaiah 45:2).
Has His word said
you’re blessed, just respond, ‘Yes, Lord, I am blessed’ irrespective of
circumstances around. God is more than
able and faithful to establish His words in your life, if you let Him. The book
of Matthew 13:56 showed that unbelief hindered His mighty works among His
people. As you respond from your spirit to His words today, manifestations
shall overtake you.
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