FRUITLESS

FRUITLESS:

timpyles.com

In Mark’s gospel we read, “The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.”

An article from christiancourier.com notes, “But this tree was an oddity; the leaves were there, but it was fruitless. This phenomenon, therefore, served as a perfect “visual aid” for an important lesson that the Savior wished to teach…  In the symbolism of the Scriptures, a fruitless, withered tree was worthy of nothing more than being cut down (cf. Psa. 90:6; Hos. 9:16). “Withering” was a symbol of imminent death (Joel 1:12).”

Why would it seem "strange" for Jesus to judge a tree when it “was not the season for figs?”  Jesus certainly did indeed leave His disciples with a very powerful "visual aid," and permanent reminder: There is no "off-season" for Christians, there is never a time when we should be found fruitless.

The Apostle Paul understood this and produced some of his most prolific fruit from prison. While in captivity Paul converted his jailers, the imperial guard, and "everyone else!"

Paul understood that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.

Jesus said “apart from Me you can do nothing,” and his disciples believed it after His resurrection, ascension, and gift of the παράκλητος (the Advocate or Holy Spirit) we read about in John 16:7 and Acts 2.

Jesus didn’t leave us with a ceremony. He didn’t ask us to reenact His crucifixion. He didn’t tell us to weep because of His passion.

What Jesus did was implore us to be obedient and "produce fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matt 3:8). What does that look like?  It’s not about deeds, but rather about a new heart redeemed by grace. It's about what Christ made into reality and our subsequent motivation to serve and be used by God for His eternal glory.

There’s no redemption in ceremony and ritual, but exclusively in the grace made available at the Cross of Christ.  Walk with Him and your life becomes a living sacrifice filled with the fruit of the παράκλητος, the Holy Spirit.

In walking with Christ through the power and presence of the Spirit we then experience authentic Christian life, i.e. a life that produces much fruit!

Blessings,

Kevin M. Kelley

amostunlikelydisciple.com