Fruit Basket Turnover!

As we finish this week of reflections on Pastor Richie's sermon, I'd like to share a few final thoughts drawn from Luke 13:1-9.

Every tree has leaves, so leaves are not the barometer for measuring the productivity of a fruit tree. As Pastor Benji shared last year, there is a difference between horticulture and agriculture: the fig tree is only useful if it produces edible figs. (There's a wonderful passage in Deuteronomy 20:19-20 that illustrates God's directive to Israel concerning the treatment of fruit-bearing trees- I encourage you to check it out.)

"Kairos" ("opportune time", in Luke 13:1) is a word that every Christian should be conscious of. There is an appointed time, an opportunity, when we are called to act swiftly and decisively, or else the chance will be lost forever. When God places us in environments where we are given His attention and care, it behooves us to recognize the kairos moment and seek to bear fruit for the kingdom of God.

The call to cut down the tree came unexpectedly. In our culture we use the phrase "out of the blue"- implying that it's just another beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky, not a care in the world, and all of a sudden destruction comes. It was the experience of those at the tower of Siloam (Luke 13:4) and those whose end came at the hand of Pilate (Luke 13:1-2). And, if we get comfortable in our lack of productivity, we too will find ourselves suddenly cut off (Luke 13:7-8).

The gift of Christ's intercession: we are grateful for His intervening grace, expressed in the request for "one more year" (Luke 13:8). Though He has the right to judge us immediately, He extends His mercy and gives us ample opportunity to bear fruit.

Blessings and peace to each of you, my friends. Lord willing, we'll be back on Tuesday.