News and Updates
April 1, 2017
David Copeland · April 1, 2017
Newsletter · Volume: 17 Issue: 4
Mark 11 finds Jesus making His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the day we call Palm Sunday. The crowds are cheering. The city is buzzing with preparations for the Passover. And Jesus is also causing a stir with His entrance into the city.
The day following, Jesus and His men pass by a fig tree that Scripture tells us had leaves but no fruit. Jesus being hungry stops and looks for something to eat and when He finds nothing to munch on He says these words:
“Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” Mark 11:14 NKJV
They enter the Temple area Jesus chases out the money changers and declares His house a House of Prayer for ALL nations! (emphasis mine) The next day they come out of Bethany again (which means house of fruit) and they walk by the same tree Jesus cursed twenty-four hours earlier and see it “dried up from the roots”.
Two thoughts I had this week during my devotional time that go along with this event:
1. Destroy the root and you will destroy its fruit!
Many times when you go to the doctor they are only able to treat the symptoms. They chase the symptoms around until they finally are able to pinpoint what is causing your illness.
Thankfully, sometimes they know immediately! Especially older doctors who have learned the way the human body operates and heals itself. In fact years ago as Pam was experiencing gallbladder trouble, our family physician diagnosed her with gallstones the first time he saw her. He understood symptoms are not always the root cause of an illness. Often younger physicians have not had the experience of years of diagnosis and need to rely on multiple tests to confirm the situation. They chase the symptoms until they rule out every other cause but the right cause.
Often in our relationship with the Lord we treat the symptoms of our sin…instead of persevering and getting to the root!
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” KJV
NCV “God’s word is alive and working and is sharper than a double-edged sword. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones. And it judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts. 13 Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. Everything is clear and lies open before him, and to him we must explain the way we have lived.”
Not only will there be a day in which we will give an account for why we lived the way we lived, we will also have to give an answer on why we didn’t use the Word of God to destroy the roots of what Jesus died to give us victory over.
If this Scripture is true and we know it is, then there is a word in the Word of God that will get to the root of every issue in your life!
I am finding the longer I live the more I must purposely press into what God is saying & doing in this hour. Also, the longer you live for Jesus the more you will have to actively use the Word of God to get to and cut every root of what is hindering, afflicting, tormenting, or stopping you from walking in the victory Jesus already paid for with His Blood!
Destroy the root and you will destroy its fruit!
2. The Word of God has the ability to cut you…without killing you.
Specifically the Word of God has the ability to cut sin out of you, reveal to you other areas He wants to cut out, then heal you all in an instant. All without killing you. When the Word of God cuts you, it automatically brings life to you.
One word from God really can change your life forever!
Are you chasing your symptoms or are you getting to the root?