Fig Monday
Read
John 15:1-9
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
Reflect
On Monday of Holy Week, we see Jesus curse the fig tree and turn over tables in the temple. These things can appear harsh and be difficult for us to understand. They show us a different side of Jesus, but ultimately still point us to His true desire for us.
Jesus’ desire is for us to be fully devoted to Him. He wants us to be with Him – to abide, or remain, in Him and His love. Apart from Him we can do nothing, but if we remain in Him, we will bear much fruit. Jesus explains that the branches that do not bear fruit are taken away, but the branches that bear fruit are pruned to bear more fruit. To bear fruit simply means to grow in character — to become more like Christ and reflect the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).
What is the fruit of your life? Is there evidence of Christ’s life in you (good fruit), or are you demonstrating more worldly desires (bad fruit)?
We can abide in Christ and grow in our relationship with Him by allowing Him to search our hearts and change us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our internal posture should reflect that of the Psalmist:
Jesus’ desire is for us to be fully devoted to Him. He wants us to be with Him – to abide, or remain, in Him and His love. Apart from Him we can do nothing, but if we remain in Him, we will bear much fruit. Jesus explains that the branches that do not bear fruit are taken away, but the branches that bear fruit are pruned to bear more fruit. To bear fruit simply means to grow in character — to become more like Christ and reflect the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).
What is the fruit of your life? Is there evidence of Christ’s life in you (good fruit), or are you demonstrating more worldly desires (bad fruit)?
We can abide in Christ and grow in our relationship with Him by allowing Him to search our hearts and change us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our internal posture should reflect that of the Psalmist:
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my concerns.
See if there is any offensive way in me;
lead me in the way everlasting. "
(Psalm 139:23–24)
When we allow God to search us and we surrender our desires to His, we experience His pruning. This can feel like a painful process, but it is how God prepares us for growth and enables us to bear His fruit. The fruit that Jesus speaks of is simply evidence of a relationship with Him. It is a relationship that he initiates through and by His sovereign love.
Respond
Level 1 (designed for children)
Take one bunch of grapes and remember that when real grapes are pulled from the vine, they can no longer grow. Real grapes would eventually dry up and become gross. We are like grapes and Jesus is the vine. If we are not connecting with Jesus through prayer, Bible reading and other types of worship, we can not grow in our faith. Hold the small bunch of grapes and remember that Jesus wants to be your friend. He wants to connect and be connected with you always.
Level 2
Read and pray the words of Psalm 139:23-24. Take a moment to yield your heart before God as you pray. Listen and allow Him to show you the fruit of your life (good or bad), and confess the ways you are not following Christ.
level 3
Take off your shoes and allow your feet to feel the texture of the ground.
Acknowledge that you are standing on holy ground because you are in God’s presence. Humble yourself before Him as you yield and pray the words of Psalm 139:23-24 aloud, and respond in whatever way God reveals to you.
Acknowledge that you are standing on holy ground because you are in God’s presence. Humble yourself before Him as you yield and pray the words of Psalm 139:23-24 aloud, and respond in whatever way God reveals to you.
