Whilst reading in Luke, 3, John is called to prepare the hearts and minds of the covenant people for Christ's coming. A lot people missed Christ the first time around because they were not studying the signs and would not understand the scriptures for themselves. So many warnings from God. Are we paying attention? Why do we receive these warnings? There are real consequences to the decision we make. There are eternal laws that even God has to abide by. Because He loves us, and is well aware of the consequences of our actions, He takes the time to warn us time and time again what the outcome of our choices will be, whether we choose to follow Him or reject Him.
"Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." (8 and 9)
This same warning was given to the Pharisees by Christ at the beginning of his ministry, through the parable of the fig tree. A man has planted a fig tree and decides to check up and see if it's bearing any fruit. Much to his disappointment, the tree is barren, and has shown no sign of change for three years. Which means he's been working at it, nourishing it, and giving it multiple chances to grow. He turns to his servant and says:
"Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?" (Luke 13:6-8)
Jesus then explains that the helper of the vineyard suggests that they work a little more to preserve the tree. The Lord of the vineyard agrees, but warns,
"And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." (9)
It seems a little harsh, but what's the point of keeping a tree when it doesn't produce fruit? Why keep a tree that has shown no signs of change? In both instances, the Jews were being warned by God through John and through Christ, that if they did not change and align their hearts with the true gospel, they would be cut off from the Father's presence. Why did some people get the message while others totally ignored or didn't even get it? What cause some people to recognize the signs spoken of in the scriptures, while others completely rejected Christ and his teachings?
Again, it all comes back to those basic answers: Daily scripture study and prayer. Not only did they consistently do those things, they put the answers they received into action. They repented of their sins. They listened to the words and counsel of the living prophet. They LIVED what they were studying in the scriptures. They were constantly communicating with God through prayer. CONSISTENCY. That's something I need to work on, yo.
Again, it all comes back to those basic answers: Daily scripture study and prayer. Not only did they consistently do those things, they put the answers they received into action. They repented of their sins. They listened to the words and counsel of the living prophet. They LIVED what they were studying in the scriptures. They were constantly communicating with God through prayer. CONSISTENCY. That's something I need to work on, yo.
What did the Pharisees and others do to NOT recognize what God was trying to tell them?
- Content, refused to introspect and change
- Did not want further revelation from God, satisfied with what they had already been given
- Unable to accept that God could speak through a living prophet/Messiah
- Power struggle, didn't want to give up their power
- Pride, didn't want to admit they were wrong
The choice is ours. It always will be. I know that we don't have to be perfect at it all. There will be days where we mess up. There will be moments where it feels like we aren't getting anywhere even though we're doing everything we're supposed to be doing, or that we feel like we keep falling short over and over. But all that God requires is a evidence that we want to change. That's why I love the analogy of the fruit.
There are so many different types of fruit in this world: berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), apple trees, orange trees, peach trees, cherry trees, dragon fruit trees, mango trees, fig trees, olive tress, etc- I could go on alllll day! We are all our individual type of tree. We may not bear the same fruit as someone else, we may not even produce our fruit in the same season as other trees around us, but the principle of the fruit remains the same. As long as we are doing all we can to nourish ourselves, our "spiritual tree," our fruit will come in its season.
If you're a peach tree, your fruit itself and the timing will differ than that of an mango, or a cherry, or an apple. And that is a ok. As long as you are not letting your tree become stagnant, you will be ok. I love the tree studies in the scriptures, they are my all time favorite :) I love you!
Emily
Thanks for this lovely message Emily. I love the idea of the timing of the fruit. Because sometimes we see things going on around us and we think, "Why am I not there yet?" But we each have our own season. And sometimes I think that God knows what we can handle. I feel like some trees would get frustrated earlier than others if they couldn't see fruit. And just give up maybe. So God knows how much we can handle before He gives us fruit that is easy to see. But when we aren't spending energy on growing branches or bearing fruit, we are spending it on THE ROOTS. Which I feel is the most important part. If a tree has good roots, it will bear good fruit:) And the tree will be able to continue bearing fruit on a consistent basis, no matter if it is stormy weather or sunshine. I feel like sometimes we wonder, "Why does it seem like I'm not getting anywhere...and I can see that other people are?" It has to do with different seasons. But I also feel like it has to do with what each of us can handle. If we can be in the root phase longer without giving up, God's going to focus on that because He knows that is most important. I hope my thoughts made sense, but I've been thinking about that a lot. And it goes back to what you were saying about the talents. No matter when the tree blooms or how thick its roots are, the most important part is that it is growing! So wherever we are in our process, whether one has a greater or lesser capacity to endure difficult times, we'll get the same reward. One tree isn't better than the other. But the personal growth of our tree will be different. Yet we'll all have the same chance. It is an interesting concept. But God judges us on our ability to work to our full capacities and endure all we can, no matter what that capacity is. He is so just and good. Anyways, this is getting long but thanks for sparking the thoughts. You're good at that.
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