Strike four!

Strike four!

4 strikes? My mom would give us unlimited strikes in wiffle ball or kickball. As I got older and started playing those same games at school It was a shock to find out there was a 3 strike limit. Mom was merciful.

Usually we find Jesus being merciful, he died to save us from our sins. In this next section of Matthew 21 we see him use his authority in a different way.

“18 Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 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.

20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

21 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. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”’

The disciples seemed to be amazed at how he did it. I am amazed at what he did. The tree failed to have fruit but it wasn’t fig season.

Strike one! You’re out!

I’ve been hung up on this.

Jesus our gentle and merciful savior has authority on the earth, over the earth. This is one thing we see.

He left to prepare a home for us. He will come back as our judge.

We are not saved by our works, however, our works will be judged.

Here is another story about a fruitless plant told in Luke .

“6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

This parable was shared to show us how patient God is with us. We, fellow followers of Jesus, we are the fig tree. We are to bear fruit. God is watching our lives and waiting for us to become fruitful. What kind of fruit does a fig tree produce? Figs right? What kind of fruit does a disciple tree produce? That’s what we are, we are disciples so are fruit should be what? More disciples right?

In second Peter the apostle explains why Jesus’ return seems to be delayed.

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.”
2Pet. 3:3-9 & 15 NIV

God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. The offer that Jesus makes to us for salvation, for being forgiven and invited into His family, is a one size fits all, but you must take possession of it.

Paul said this in his letter to the Romans, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Today is a good day to accept Jesus’ offer.

Hear an angel Chorus say “home run!!!”