March 29, 2023 – “Bearing Good Fruit”

“And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.” Mark 11:11-14

“The fruitless fig tree” – one of the parables where a fig tree plays a prominent role. For the Prophets, the fruitless fig tree was a metaphor for the people of Israel:

Joel 1:7: It has laid waste my vines, and splintered my fig trees; it has stripped off their bark and thrown it down; their branches have turned white.

Micah 7:1: Woe is me! For I have become like one who, after the summer fruit has been gathered, after the vintage has been gleaned, finds no cluster to eat; there is no first-ripe fig for which I hunger.

Hosea 9:10: Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree, in its first season, I saw your ancestors. But they came to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to a thing of shame, and became detestable like the thing they loved.

Jesus wants us to bear good fruit, worthy of repentance. Our faith in G-d should produce fruit – not so that we have salvation, but because Jesus has won that salvation for us. Our fruit instead helps with our Sanctification—our journey with Holiness. This text can be a frightening text – because it shows the power of G-d to smite – without consideration and with a mighty hand.

But there is another parable involving a fig tree—in Luke 13. This story talks about the gardener who asks for and is granted more time to fertilize the fig tree. This is a story of Grace–the Luke story is a true story of the Grace that Jesus offers us all—for it ends with unlimited second chances—which is what I believe defines G-d’s Grace. We always have another chance with G-d—because we are loved beyond measure.

We are called to bear good fruit every day—and if this day, if today you find yourself fruitless, do not lose heart. There is another day—another chance with Jesus—day, after day, after day.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, every day we have choices to make. There is always the season of decision-making followed by fruit-bearing. Now is my time – give me a heart of decision-making and fruit-bearing. Amen.

Pastor Dave

March 28, 2023 – “R*E*S*P*E*C*T”

“If you sell or buy property from one of your countrymen, don’t cheat him. Calculate the purchase price on the basis of the number of years since the Jubilee. He is obliged to set the sale price on the basis of the number of harvests remaining until the next Jubilee. The more years left, the more money; you can raise the price. But the fewer years left, the less money; decrease the price. What you are buying and selling in fact is the number of crops you’re going to harvest. Don’t cheat each other. Fear your God. I am God, your God.” Leviticus 25:14-17

“And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God. And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.” Mark 10:26-27

In the Leviticus text, G-d says in Leviticus 25:36, that we are to “fear God”. In the text from Mark, in chapter 10 verse 32, the text says, “and those who followed were afraid.” In both texts the writer speaks about the fear of G-d.  In his Small Catechism, Martin Luther begins each explanation of each petition of the Ten Commandments with words similar to this, “We are to fear and love the Lord…”  What do you think it means to fear the Lord?  Can we fear and love the Lord at the same time?  Is it good to fear the Lord?

The use of the word “fear” is understood, in our Lutheran faith, as to hold G-d in great respect. You notice in my devotions that I write the word “G-d” without the “O”. Many have asked me why I do this. It is one way that I can daily remind myself of the respect that we are to give not only to G-d, but to the name of G-d. Not all of us use the same practices, the same devotional techniques, or the same prayers when we talk to G-d. I say that because I do not believe everyone needs to do what I do. We each need to find our own personal ways that we show respect to G-d, to the name of G-d, and to our relationship with G-d—and we need to continue to go to G-d every day.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, everything is possible with you. Help me to trust that everything is possible with you. Amen.

Pastor Dave