Practice spiritual discipline and you will Bear Fruit

Text: Luke 13:1-9; Fifth Sunday in Lent

If we want to bear fruit, it helps to practice some spiritual discipline. First, our Gospel story offers some harsh imagery of followers who, Jesus implies, may have failed to bear fruit. It raises plenty of questions. (The Message’s version of this Scripture reading uses the image of an apple tree. However, you might have heard the original version that uses the image of a fig tree. They were common in Jesus’ time, as apples are in our time.)

Here’s the basic idea: If Jesus makes a difference in my life, how can I show it? That’s what it means to bear fruit: to show God’s love growing in my heart. Show it to the whole world!

This season we call Lent, a time of “turning back” to God and God’s ways. That’s what is means to repent. And, by turning back to God, we bear much beautiful fruit. The world sorely needs that!

So, to do that, we need a little spiritual discipline. Think of it as compost at the roots of our spiritual apple tree.

Prayer of the Day

Eternal God, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your word and obey it. Help us to bring your saving love to fruition in our lives, through the power of Jesus Christ. We pray in the name of our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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