Living 4 Him

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8 (NIV)

About a month ago I dug dirt to fill pots full of flowers, and we planted a large, two-tiered vegetable garden.  Each day I delight in cruising around the yard, looking at our growing plants, noting any changes. What joy to see a new leaf unfurl or watch delicate petals widen with vivid color.  It makes me wonder what delight God experiences as he peeks into the depths of our hearts and sees compassionate love expanding, kindness sprouting and patience blooming.

In John, Jesus shared “I am the vine, and my Father is the gardener.  I am the vine and you are branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:1, 5

Author Phillip Keller paints this picture:  God is the Good Gardener who toils over us and tends us with constant care.  Patiently He waits for the full fruitage.  He finds joy in the planting He has done and waits eagerly for a crop.  With great joy He gathers the harvest.

When Jesus came to earth, he spent a good portion of his time as a teacher, bringing knowledge of God’s kingdom to us; knowledge to help us share and spread the goodness of God’s kingdom on this earth.  As summer bursts into bloom this week in the U.S., let’s visit Jesus on the mountain and grow our own garden of goodness through his teachings.

Matthew presents the entire Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5,6 and 7.  Matthew writes that crowds had followed Jesus and so he sat upon the mountain to teach them.  The message begins with 8 verses commonly known as the Beatitudes or blessings.  Each blessing opens a gateway to God’s will for his children, showing us exactly what to plant in the garden of our souls to spread God’s kingdom.  In these verses, Jesus points us to behaviors that benefit our souls and form an everlasting bond with God’s heart.

Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . (Matthew 5:3) To be poor in spirit means that our spirits are in need. To be more specific, our spirits are in need of God.  Jesus tells us when we realize how much we need God, and we partner with his power, we will partake in the great benefits God wants to give us. 

Blessed are those who mourn . . . (Matthew 5:4) Our hearts are often saddened by the brokenness, the separation, the injustice and the difficulties of this world. But Jesus tells us that experiencing hardships and grief means we will encounter the true and complete love of God who comforts in many ways.  This is a message of hope for a broken world.

Blessed are the meek . . . (Matthew 5:5) Meek doesn’t mean hiding in fear, unable to speak what we believe.  It means developing a gentle, humble spirit that makes us more accessible to the needs of this world, drawing others into love and compassion, and bringing them closer to the heart of God. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. (Matthew 5:6) Righteousness is a way of understanding the world the way God sees it; having empathy and perspective for our fellow humans, God’s children.  When our desires are aligned with God’s desires, true fulfilling satisfaction fills our souls. 

Keep in mind as you read Jesus’ words today and in future devotions, that God, the Master Gardener, sees us as we will become and he never gives up on us.  He keeps watering, feeding, admiring, pruning, and caring for every detail until his masterpiece is complete.  So, in this growing season, remember that every detail is known to God and he will provide in due season. 

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul):  Read each Beatitude and the corresponding result in Matthew 5:3-8.  Take the words to heart as you seek to grow in your relationship with God. 

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world):  Choose one Beatitude which is particularly meaningful to you and intentionally take it into the world with you each day this week, living out its meaning in your words and actions.