FRUIT EVEN IN THE STORMS
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ And the fig tree withered at once.” Matthew 21:18-19, ESV
Theme: You may not be able to predict when the end is coming, however we do have clear instructions on how to “bear fruit” and evidence that we will be known by the “fruit” we produce.
ORNAMENTAL
In the springtime near Lake Norman, the trees are covered with flowers: redbuds, dogwoods, white flowering pear (which smell terrible), pink flowering cherries, and many other varieties. After selecting an ornamental tree, a flowering cherry, I was very excited to have a beautiful tree and its fruit! Clearly, I am no expert on trees, because I was quickly informed that this tree, being ornamental only, would never bear one cherry. The list of benefits to this arrangement were enumerated for me: no mess during harvest season, ease of care, hardiness against disease, and overall beauty of the flowers. We planted that flowering cherry and I love it because it provides shade and it shows the changing seasons right out my kitchen window. This ornamental tree bears a different kind of fruit for our family including producing oxygen, being a favorite place for climbing, and keeping the soil from erosion. That is what it was expected to do. Were it a fruit-bearing tree, boy would I be disappointed by its lack thereof!
NOT FOR SHOW
In August, the fig tree across the street bears many figs! My neighbor’s family doesn’t care for them. I love figs. We can gather from today’s Scripture that Jesus was partial to them, too, and He was disappointed not to find any on a plant that was meant to bear fruit. Luckily for me, there were a few years where I could gleefully stop to pick the fruit (with permission, of course). Wasps also liked the fruit but there was enough to satisfy them and me. However, a recent surge in the deer population caused all the figs on the lower branches to be quickly gobbled up.
Figs bear a bounty of fruit in season. What if, as spring approached, the fig tree noticed that trouble was coming and decided to redirect its resources to building a stronger trunk and deeper roots instead of producing fruit? People and animals would not be fed or drawn to the tree. Yes, it would reduce risk to itself for a time but in the process, it would fail to fulfill its primary purpose as a fruit tree.
TROUBLE IS COMING – YET CONTINUE TO BEAR FRUIT
Like the frightened fruit tree, we also may let concerns about trouble prevent us from bearing the kind of fruit we were meant to produce - the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus warned the disciples about the end times and trouble (Matthew 28:1-8 highlighted in Tuesday’s devotion) for a purpose and it wasn’t to derail or distract them from bearing spiritual fruit. He warned them about trouble to normalize it. Earlier this week, we read about the predicted destruction of the temple. Jesus also warned the disciples that they would face intense opposition and persecution, and yet they should persist in bearing fruit. Likewise, as believers we are called to bear fruit through the storms of life. Whether the end times or merely hard times are coming or not, we don’t need to be distracted, derailed, or shocked. God knows we are facing adversity and yet with His help, we can continue to bear fruit through it all, drawing many to Him, as we were made to do.
Make It Personal: In what way are you able to bear fruit even in stormy weather? How does the analogy of the fig tree without any figs ring true for you? Consider any questions you might ask Jesus about the encounter described in today’s Scripture and then join me in prayer.
Pray: Lord, thank You for providing food for my family, including delicious fruit. As I eat a piece of apple or fig this week, help me to recall the necessity of bearing spiritual fruit no matter how frightening my circumstances may seem. You provide everything I need, from nourishment to peace. I trust You and thank You for that today and every day. Trouble is normal, but thanks to Your Son, it isn’t permanent. I hope for the day when all things are made new. Until then I will continue to come to You humbly and thankfully in Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: Jeremiah 17:8; Matthew 21:18-22; Genesis 1:11-12
Weekly Memory Verse: Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. (Revelation 1:7, NASB1995)