Trees: Rooted and fruited!!

Trees of all kinds colour, shape and size spread across our landscape. Who hasn’t sought out the shade of a tree on a hot day and reveled in its cool refreshment? We marvel at trees that have sprouted, taken root in a craggy cliff and then withstood the fiercest storms as they reach heavenward. Farmers carefully tend orderly rows of trees to provide fruit.

God’s plan for creation, outlined in Genesis, reveals that trees would play a critical role in our story. “…and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:12). Unfortunately, sin entered the world because of our actions regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But as we shall see, trees and fruit ultimately play a part in our salvation and Christian experience.

Life during Old Testament times was hard, but God gave instructions to guide people toward living honourably and righteously. The Prophet Jeremiah records the words of the Lord: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7, 8). Count the many and powerful blessings that are released in these verses:

• Refreshed by the stream’s water;
• Unwaveringly rooted to handle wind and storm;
• Fearless in the heat of the day;
• Fresh and vibrant for the enjoyment of those who may find its shade;
• Confident when the surroundings turn dry and desolate;
• Endlessly providing nourishment for others.

All of these can be ours and lived out daily by continually placing our trust in our Lord. Have we planted ourselves beside those waters so we can provide shade and food to our community?

Put yourself alongside the disciples and Jesus for a moment; gathered together on a warm day listening to him speak. “The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”. And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (Luke 17:5,6). See Jesus pointing at the 20-meter-tall mulberry tree you are sitting under and then consider your level of faith. Jesus is there to help us grow our faith. Are we putting ourselves into his presence so that our faith flourishes from a seed grain to become a mighty tree? Jesus uses fig, olive, mulberry and palm trees in his teachings to illustrate our behaviours and to challenge us to be fruitful and faithful. Let us not overlook the specific trees and fruits that Jesus includes in his parables and sermons. Take time to study the significance of these trees and fruit. You will be encouraged as you see their references branching throughout the scriptures.

The most important tree is the cross of Calvary. Here a tree died so that it could bear Jesus in his death as he took on our sins. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24).  But, that was not the end. Like a tender shoot Jesus rose from the dead and through him in our new lives we are to be fruitful. So how can we be fruit bearing and what does that look like? Returning to Jesus’ teaching, he lays out what we need to do. Picture an old orchard that has been left untended. Most of the trees do not have fruit. Weeds and thorns choke at the trunks. Jesus said, “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6: 43-45). We must tend our growth diligently so we do not become like the deserted orchard; prayer during the stillness of morning when dew is on the leaves, reading God’s Word to give us courage through the storms of life that twist and buffet our branches, end of day reflection and thanksgiving for the grace and strength provided.

As we grow and mature our encouragement to others will be available to share, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22,23). Our fruit-bearing, like “the tree of life” (Revelation 22:2) is to be constantly renewed. Does that take a lot of work? Most certainly! But our great God ensures we have ready access to his life-giving care to yield a steady harvest of fruit; sufficient for our life and to be shared with those around us.

Take some time to read more about the great trees of the Bible. There is a fascinating account in Judges 9 where Jotham brings the trees to life (metaphorically) as he makes his point. See the parallels to the New Testament and applications for our current circumstances. Find some shade under a tree, choose a piece of your favorite tree-fruit and then commune with God and his Word.