Serious Fruit (Matthew 21:18-22)

Jesus's closest followers, the twelve, needed to be convinced who he was.  They didn't know.  They met him, listened to his teachings, walked with him, and watched his work.  Changing water into wine, healing the sick, calming the storm, feeding the thousands, and empowering Simon to walk on water was all a part of their process.  They needed reasons for their faith and Jesus gave them the reasons.

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 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. (Matthew 21:18-19 NIV)

Even the simplest moment of a day (looking for breakfast) becomes an opportunity to build their faith.  Jesus found no fruit, then exercised God-like authority over the tree.  He gave them another reason to believe he was the Son of God.

When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, 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. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:20-22 NIV)

Now that they are understanding who He is, Jesus begins to teach them who they are.  He starts giving them clues about their role in His Kingdom.  He tells them that they will not just be walking on water, but performing miracles in His name.  They weren't ready to hear this before they believed Jesus was the One.

How about you?  Do you believe Jesus is the One?  Are you talking to Him regularly in prayer?  Are you getting to know Him through His Word?  Has He started explaining your part in His Kingdom work?  Do you know your calling from God?