Foliage or Fruits ?
Dr. Mrs. Lilian Stanley
www.bymonline.org | May 2020 | page 03
“The remnant who have escaped... shall
again take root downward and bear fruit upward”
(Isa 37:31).
This was Isaiah's prophecy. God brought
Israel from Egypt to the land of Canaan where they
flourished. But when they picked up the idolatrous
practices of the neighbouring nations, God in His
vexation drove them out of the land. It was at this
time that Isaiah prophesied thus. All hope was lost;
only a minority remained. Will they also be wiped
off was the question that haunted the prophets.
But true to the prophecy, Israel once again was
gathered as a nation. They budded and blossomed.
History repeats itself. We, the believers of the
living God are the remnant today. The majority has
been swept away by the world's tidal waves. We see
many pillars of salt on the way in our spiritual
journey. Only a minority keeps striving to be true to
God, to take root below and bear fruit above.
Isaiah's prophecy must find fulfillment through
this kernel to bear fruit and fill the earth.
The one who introduces fruit bearing in the
beginning chapters of Matthew with his austere
message is John the Baptist. People were
streaming from Jerusalem and all Judea to him.
They confessed their sins and were baptized. But
when he saw the Pharisees and Sadducees
showing up for baptism because it was the popular
thing to do, he said, “You brood of vipers! Who
warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce
fruit in keeping with repentance... The axe is laid at
the root of the trees, and every tree that does not
produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into
the fire” (3:5-10). This crisp statement was a sharp
warning to those who thought they could get by
with confession of their sins and baptism. It was a
truth they didn't want to hear.
Repentance is a good thing; baptism
excellent. But things do not end there. The good
beginning should proceed to a life of fruitbearing,
not just foliage but fruits. Is your life green,
blossoming and loaded with fruits? The judgment
is not on the basis of repentance and baptism but
fruit bearing, as John puts it.
Luke adds more information to this incident.
The crowd that was listening to this asked, “What
should we do then?” They wanted to know how they
could give fruit. Listen to John's reply: “Anyone
who has two shirts should share with the one who
has none, and anyone who has food should do the
same.” He also admonished them to be honest in
their work spots and be happy with whatever they
had. John made them to understand that
fruitbearing is compassionate, clean and simple
living (3:7-15). Or as Paul puts it “bear fruit in every
good work” (Col 1:10). Most Christians are full of
rich foliage. They involve in every religious activity
and appear green. But fruits are conspicuously
absent.
This is what Jesus said in the Sermon on the
Mount: “Let your light shine before others, that they
may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in
heaven” (Mt 5:16). People must be able to see a