April 23, 2024 – The Coffee Shop Devotions: Pistachio Cream Cold Brew

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35

“Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the man working the vineyard, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9

When I think about coffee and the hope that I might get a jolt from my drink, I honestly do not think of a “cold brew sweetened with vanilla syrup, topped with a silky, pistachio cream cold foam and finished with salted brown-buttery sprinkles for a sweet treat to start any winter day.” In what world does someone come up with a “Pistachio Cream”. I eat pistachios from a bag – I do not milk a pistachio tree. And who actually thought pistachio cream would taste good. It all leaves me feeling barren.

The parable of the barren fig tree from Luke’s Gospel is one of my favorites. In my mind it is one of the best biblical descriptions of grace – unmerited, prodigal love. As the parable stands there is always another chance to bear fruit – chance after chance after chance. It never ends. Jesus is always going to dig around our roots and heap blessings into our lives until we come to our senses and realize how much G-d loves us – how much G-d has been fertilizing our lives all along.

Now is the time my friends – to grasp onto and cling upon Jesus’ Amazing Grace.

Pastor Dave