The Tree part 5
The fig tree--the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the tree of death--couldn't produce any fruit. It kept people in the trap of trying to turn over a new leaf. Trying to swing from the "bad" limb to the "good" limb, without really realizing that both were on the same tree. It's not about turning over a new leaf. It's about getting onto--into--the right tree. That's what we see in the story of Zacchaeus. "So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your house today"" (Luke 19:4-5 NLT). Zacchaeus climbed a--you guessed it--fig tree. Because he thought it was the only way to see Jesus. He thought he had to effort his way into an experience with God. Which is how so many of us view our relationship with our heavenly Father--we think we have to earn His good graces. But look at what Jesus said-- "It's not about what you do... it's about me coming into your house!" Isn't that the story of the Gospel in a nutshell? We think we need to do something, but really it's just about what JESUS does. What He did on the cross. What He did, is doing, and is going to do. Was, and is, and is to come. But the point is: It's all about Him. All about Jesus. We get so caught up in what WE'RE doing (or not doing, or doing wrong) that we forget about what HE did. JESUS is the One who did all the heavy lifting. Jesus is the One who cursed the fig tree. Jesus called Zacchaeus down out of that tree. Stop trying to turn over a new leaf and embrace a new tree! Stop trying to weigh your deeds and just let what's inside come out. Jesus is living in your house. He is who is inside. LOVE is who is inside. When you know it and believe it--when you feast on the fruit of the Tree of Life, which is the fruit of the Spirit, which is love--that's when you know that you have something. And you can't give what you don't have, so knowing what you have is critical. Knowing that what you have is so good you can't keep it to yourself! Because then you don't have to force it out, it will just flow. Knowing that what you have is what everybody needs really equips and empowers you to share what you have with everybody who needs it. Which, again, is everybody. Giving what you've got without worrying about it. Without trying to figure out if someone "deserves" it. Living without a care. Not afraid that you'll lose what you've got by giving it away, but knowing that you'll EXPERIENCE what you've got by giving it away. Because what you've got... is love. And love is giving. If you want to feel love... love somebody! Let the light inside you come out and shine on the people who you come into contact with. Just be who you are. Embrace who you are. And embrace the people in your life. The fruit of the Tree of Life--love--is to be shared. The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations. Giving what you've got to make things better for the people around you. And, since the tide raises all ships, it makes things better for you too! Not the goal, but a wonderful fringe benefit. Experiencing what you've got by giving it away. By sharing it. By eating from the right tree and not even worrying about the other one. The one that Jesus got rid of for us!