Real Fruit

“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good  tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” Matthew 7:17, 17  (NIV)

Growing up on an island where there are fruit  trees of nearly every kind, I can remember setting out with  my childhood friends to pick fruit in  the bush. When we climbed a tree, we knew what we were looking for. The trees were there in their luxuriant foliage, but it was their luscious fruit that we were after.

Mangoes are my favorite fruit, inviting in their yellow ripe skin, pungent aroma,  and  sweet, juicy flesh. This is what I look for when I buy a mango at the supermarket, but sometimes  I am disappointed when I  cut into  it to find that it is  spogngy or discolored. What is true of fruit is also  true of people.

Our focus text speaks of  knowing a tree by its fruit. It is an apt metaphor for assessing  relationships. By being wise to look beyond the rich foliage, the facade that someone presents, we can avoid some of life’s  heartaches. We can be disappointed  in people  if we place too much emphasis on the foliage, how they look,  rather than keeping our eyes on the fruit. We must always be alert to the fruit, but this doesn’t mean that we should be  fruit inspectors. It simply calls us to be wise  in  our interactions.

Jesus’ parables  always have something meant specifically for  the people who are preparing for the kind of kingdom He is readying for them. Bearing good fruit is the responsibility of those who are getting ready to live in  His presence. We must  be real fruit, genuine in every way. When we interact with others, we can’t hide behind foliage. We must deliver  authentic fruit, such as  love, gentleness, honesty,  truthfulness, and compassion.

Fruit, good or bad,  doesn’t grow and flourish by itself.  It is  produced  by the tree. Jesus says the good fruit comes from a good tree.  Christ’s followers  bear good fruit as a result of being  attached to the  Good Tree, Jesus Christ Himself.  The verse has a clear kingdom message,   calling us to be  representatives of Christ’s kingdom here on earth.  What we profess to be and display to the world must come from what is within us. The life of Christ within  will manifest itself in an abundance of  good fruit.

Always,

Judith

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“Love is a fruit in season at all times
  and within reach  of every hand.
  Anyone may gather it,
   and no limit is set.”
Mother Theresa