Picking Fruit

Wow!! What an early spring here in Maine. Yes its true we have had a couple of early morning snow storms about a week and 1/2 ago, but we had grass to cut and tulips come and go. Our crab trees are in full bloom. They are about 2 weeks ahead of schedule. I planted 2 apple trees also out back about 5 years ago. They haven't born any edible fruit so far. Maybe this is the year they will be mature enough to bear good fruit.

Which is my tie in to the next verses we will look at.


Luke 6:43 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. 45 Good people bring good things out of the good stored up in their heart, and evil people bring evil things out of the evil stored up in their heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.


So we are continuing on with snatches of passages from Jesus preaching to the crowds. These are the crowds that are trying to understand where they fit into a relationship with God. I know that I am going to sound like a broken record or have some sort of vendetta against the pharisees, but much of what Jesus criticized them for seems to fit into these illustrations that Jesus is using here. 

The question here is how do we recognize a good tree.  By its placement in the yard, by how tall it is, by the flower in the spring or maybe the number of branches.  This might be good for ornamental trees, but if the purpose is to have a tree to supply your families needs then you want a tree that bears good fruit.  The bearing of good fruit is the indication of a good tree, a healthy tree.  If for some reason you mistakenly plant thorn bushes and briers don't expect figs and grapes.

People are just like that.  Good people will bring forth good fruit.  What is the good fruit, the good things that they do.  They do these good things because of the goodness stored in their heart.   Just as evil people bring forth the evil in their hearts.  Now specially in this case Jesus is referring to what they say.  The Pharisees were concerned with ceremonial cleansing.  They were worried about what went into the mouth.  Jesus is concerned with what comes out.  

So what we say can be a blessing (good fruit) or bring hurt and discouragement (bad fruit).  Each question and challenge from the Pharisees was meant to destroy the work of Jesus and discourage the crowds from following him.  

Please think on the words you say or even the ones you leave on Facebook.  Are they meant for encouragement (good fruit) or discouragement (evil fruit).  May you seek God's strength is expressing your self with compassion from the heart, as you search for the Savior. 

Plank Eye

Jesus continues with many more illustrations or parables that speak to our hearts about how we view and treat others.  


^{Luke 6:42} Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye. (Luke 6:42, New King James Version)

First thing I want to point out is that the illustration identifies a relationship between one person and another as a brother.  This could be a blood relationship or a fellow believer.  However I think what is important here is the illustration is judgement on someone that is close to you.  The use of the extreme "speck" and "plank" is referred to as hyperbole.  Even as an illustration it is difficult to picture someone walking around with a plank in their eye.


Yet Jesus wants to be clear we need to examine our own selves before jumping on the faults of those around us. This isn't just a sore of guideline by Jesus.  He has harsh words for those who examine the speck of sin (disobedience to God's commands) and yet have a plank of sin in their own lives.  Who are these people?  Hypocrites!!  They are so consumed with finding fault in others they miss the arrogance and self-important attitude in themselves.

So what is the remedy?  Do nothing?  NO!!  Jesus says remove the plank.  Work on your relationship with God.  Seek God's wisdom.  A restored relationship to God where you confess your sins (remove the plank) and pray for your brother.  In this way you will adopt a loving and compassionate approach to correcting your brother.  I might be stretching the illustration to far, but if I am right with God my eyes will be able to see clearly the speck in my brothers eye and counsel them on a right way of restoring their relationship to God.

Eyes Wide Open

We are about to be exposed in Luke to something new a parable.  This is a story used to illustrate a principle of spiritual teaching.   These are very powerful ways to make a point.  A wise student of God's word understands when a narative is a parable and when it isn't.  This one is easy the verse tells us.

Luke 6:39 He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Here is a warning about who you follow.  Where are they taking you?  This is a recurring theme from Jesus, because he knows that Satan will first try to deceive those who lead, because they in turn will deceive their followers.   To listen to Satan is to be blinded.  Blinded to what?  Blinded to the truth.

What happens when we follow someone who is blind?  They will attempt to guide us away from the pit, our downfall.  But instead because of their blindness they will lead us right into the pit with them.

Looking back at prior verses and the circumstances of Jesus teaching, we can imagine this is another example of a warning against the teaching of the Pharisees.  The Pharisees put an emphasis on outward obedience.  Following traditional law.  Your actions more important than your heart.  

However Jesus speaks about going beyond traditional observance.  It's about the heart.  "Love your enemies",  "pray for those who mistreat you", "give to everyone who asks"...  Jesus is calling us to awake from blindness.  He has a story of compassion, forgiveness and restored relationships.

As you start this week open your eyes.  Don't be blind.  Seek your wisdom and teaching from Jesus.