Like a tree and its crop, our lives show the health of what’s inside
By Dean Collins
If the tree isn’t producing fruit, maybe it isn’t mature enough to produce. Or maybe some damage occurred during the winter. Although I did work as a consultant at a large tree farm for several years, they didn’t hire me for my knowledge of tree health. So I’ve just about told you everything I knew on this subject. But a little research online with the Alabama extension service at Auburn University tells me more.
I learned that a pollination issue could be the cause of a tree with no fruit. It might be due to too much fertilizer, a large crop the year before, or a variety of problems generally resolved with proper pruning, soil balance, and regular care for the health of the plant.
A specific audience
Jesus used many agriculture and horticultural illustrations in his teaching, and in today’s Scripture he speaks of trees and their fruit. Like all of his illustrations, this one was aimed at a specific audience, in this case, the Pharisees. The book of Matthew records Jesus’ frequent and escalating encounters with the Pharisees. Over time many of them saw Jesus as a threat to their power and influence. Most anyone who thinks they are threatened says and does things to reduce the threat or weaken the power of the opposition. Here the Pharisees challenged Jesus concerning his knowledge of the Law, but they found him untouchable on that basis. They also saw the popularity of Jesus growing fast, so whenever possible they would try to minimize his miracles.
Now think about that a minute. Minimize a miracle? How exactly do you do that? The evidence of the miracle seems pretty obvious and hard to contradict. If a blind man was touched by Jesus and now he sees, it’s hard to minimize the dramatic and miraculous event! In Matthew 12 a man with a whole lot of problems was brought to Jesus. We don’t know who brought him. It might have been tired and helpless family members. It might have been citizens in a village that felt the constant challenges of this man’s presence. But someone cared enough or was bothered enough to figure out how to get a demon-oppressed man who was blind and unable to speak to Jesus. Jesus did what Jesus does; he healed the man. The man suddenly saw with his own eyes and spoke out loud. Everyone saw the evidence. It was a miracle that couldn’t be disputed.
Bad tree, bad fruit
What was disputed was the source of the power to perform such a miracle. Those who saw Jesus as a threat to their power, their influence, their preferences, and their lifestyle had to find a way to discredit Jesus. So they declared that his power came from the enemy’s camp and not from God. Jesus quickly showed how illogical their thinking was and how it collapsed upon itself.
Jesus moved back to imagery from the science of pomology (new word for me—the science of growing fruit). Jesus just gives us the basics here: Good trees produce good fruit. Sometimes all we need are the basics. If our heart has been transformed and the love of Christ is in us, then we do good and speak goodness. If we are consistently name-calling, lying, spreading rumors, lashing out at others for their opinions and life choices, then it would appear the heart transformation has yet to have occurred. No amount of church-going will cover up an unchanged heart. The Pharisees were more concerned with ending the influence of Jesus than in living a righteous life that is always revealed by kindness and mercy to others.
Courage required
This might be a good time for self-evaluation, and this always requires courage and humility. A fair question to ask ourselves: Does my life align with the life of Jesus? If our words and deeds are angry, harsh, unkind, selfish, and proud, then we have some repentance to do. If we can see the kindness and mercy of God in what we say and do, then our actions reveal our allegiance.
Father, we surrender our hearts to you. We repent of our inconsistencies in word and deed. Forgive us for our unkind and selfish ways. Change our hearts and minds to reflect your love and extend your kingdom through us. Amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Matthew 12:22-37 ESV
Photo by Giuseppe CUZZOCREA on Unsplash
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.
To download a printable version of today’s post, click here.
