| The Pulpit Mandate |
By Carl Umegboro
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 strictlyfocuses 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.
Bro Carl; cell leader at BLW Nation, is the anchor, The Pulpit Mandate, and publisher of Pinnacle InfoGallery BLOG