Matthew 12:33-37 A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit

What comes out of our mouths is determined by the intent of the heart. Motives determine the content of our conversation and judgments. It is impossible to expect good out of the mouth of a person whose heart is bent towards evil, just like it is impossible to expect good fruit from a bad tree. “The tree is known by its fruit.” Whether good or evil, every person has a treasure from which they dig out their words. On the day of judgment, we will be judged based on our spoken words. By our words we will be justified or condemned.

The Pharisees spoke evil words against Jesus as they accused him of casting out demons in the name of Beelzebul, a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Jesus tries to have them see that the real issue is their heart’s condition from which those words flowed. To follow Jesus is to be careful about the words we speak because they display our heart’s condition and will determine our future on the day of judgment.

Father, change my heart so that my words may be right and true. Help me watch what I say that I may honor you with every word.

Matthew 21:33-46 The Parable of the Tenants

Fruitfulness is God's expectation for my life. Jesus explains in a parable how God (master) gave every resource (a fenced vineyard with a tower and winepress) required to Israel (tenants) so that it could produce fruit. Unfortunately, when the prophets (servants) came to inspect and demand fruit, some were stoned and others killed. Finally, God sends Jesus Christ (the son) to them and they kill him (crucifixion). The vineyard has been taken away from them and given to other tenants (Gentiles) who will produce its fruits.

It is easy to focus on Israel's failure to produce, but I can fail the same way. Fruitfulness is an expectation, even a demand because God is the one who provides everything I need. All I have to do is work. I'm not talking about working for my salvation, but working out my salvation. I could develop the attitude of the first tenants and think that what God provided is mine and that I don't have to give an account to anyone. Failure to produce is not an option.

What kind of fruit does God expect from me? For starters, the fruits of the Spirit should be evident in my life. It is imperative that I take inventory of each one of them and ensure that they are produce in my vineyard: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. How am I doing? There is certainly a lot of room to grow. The trend is encouraging, but I can't be lazy or careless. I must continue to work. Gardeners know this better than most: A good harvest requires much work and care.

The fruit of my vineyard should be filled with good deeds also. God has prepared many good deeds for me to do. Helping those in need. Serving the local church. Providing for those who suffer. All these are good works designed for me to do and I must not shy away from them. Ultimately, what good is faith if there are no works. Part of the good works I must accomplish is evangelism. To be a witness for the kingdom so it can expand and grow. Every soul that comes into the kingdom becomes a precious fruit of my labors.

Lord, give me diligence and watchfulness to work in your vineyard. Don't let me become a bum who produces no fruit. May there be abundant fruit in my life day by day. Strengthen me to work; encourage me to persevere; fill me with hope.

Matthew 7:15-20 A Tree and Its Fruit

I grew up in a countryside village where my grandmother had many trees planted. She had a good variety of them: mango, guava, coconut, tamarind, oranges, etc. One of her favorite was an avocado tree right next to our house. It produced huge avocados that were buttery in texture and delicious. She would recruit me and some of my cousins to fetch the fruit from the tree.

One season, she called me to help her find the avocados on her favorite tree. To her surprise and mine, they were very small, sparse, and sickly! She gave it some time and we returned to the tree looking for fruit, but there was no change. My grandmother was concerned. The tree that had been one of the main producers had bad fruit and it was becoming barren. She gave it another year, and called me to check out the tree during its season but the fruit was still bad.

Grandma called a couple of friends who were tree experts and they found the problem. The tree had been attacked by a bug that was living inside the trunk. It had eaten the insides of the trunk making it hollow. It looked good on the outside, but it was dying and could not produce fruit anymore. She asked them to cut it down and burn it.

I can tell false prophets from the people of God by their fruit. The false prophet is like the hollow avocado tree that looks like the real thing, but produces bad fruit. The people of God are called to bear fruit - the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Am I producing good fruit? Lord, help me be a tree that bears good fruit.

Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist Prepares the Way

John the Baptist is the precursor of our Lord Jesus Christ in fulfillment to Isaiah's prophecy. His message is of repentance. His lifestyle is austere. He preaches in a time of social, political and religious turmoil yet does not hesitate to challenge people with his message. His life and ministry is spent to point to the one people really need: Jesus Christ.

In his calling people to repentance, John makes clear that it is no mere ritual for cleansing to go out and sin again. It is supposed to bear fruit. He denounces the Pharisees and Saducees, the religious establishment of the day, for their hypocritical attitude in seeking a false repentance through his baptism. John's message is never compromised by anything or anyone. 

John's ministry is characterized by a peculiar lifestyle. He seems to have taken a vow before he started his ministry. He seems to have renounced to the common comforts of the day to devote himself to the ministry. He spent his days preaching repentance and pointing to our Lord Jesus Christ as the one people should follow. He did so all the way to his imprisonment and martyrdom.

I want to be like John the Baptist. I want to commit to a life and ministry that stands out in the world. Many times I feel that the many comforts of my lifestyle are a hindrance to seek God wholeheartedly. I have settled for what is comfortable and shy away from the difficult and more demanding. I want to be like John the Baptist. I want to commit to preach God's word without any compromises. The whole counsel of God for all people. Nothing should not stand in the way of my calling to preach the word.

Lord, give me the resolve to live a life that is constantly seeking you, totally dedicated to your call upon me, and always serving those who are around me. Anoint me to be your messenger without compromise in the community you have placed me. May I always be willing to pay the cost of my calling.