A Tree is Known by His Fruit - Luke 6:44

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus said, “a good tree brings not forth corrupt fruit; neither does a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit”, and in chapter six and verse forty-four of his book Luke shares how Jesus said, “every tree is known by his own fruit” where we read:

For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

The verse reads, “For every tree is known by his own fruit.” Luke began with the words, “for every tree” or “because, since and on account that each, the whole, all and everyone of the trees” “is known” which means “is perceived and understood” “by his own fruit” or “through the tree's produce and yield”. Luke shared how “trees” are each known by the “fruit” they bear.

The verse continues, “For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.” Luke added the words, “for of thorns” which means “because from bramble bushes or briers” “men do not gather figs” or “people whether male or female do not collect and harvest the ripe fruit of a fig tree”, “nor of a bramble bush” which means “or not in any way from brier shrubs” “gather they grapes” or “do people collect and harvest bunches of grapes”. Luke shared how Jesus said people do not “harvest” “figs” from “thorn” bushes, and they don't “collect” bunches of “grapes” from “brier shrubs”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus employed another agrarian illustration to have those listening to Him understand what He meant about “good” and “bad” trees. The “fruit” a tree is bearing reveals whether the tree is “good” or not. It takes a little while for “fruit” to be produced upon a tree, and thus it is with people. Sometimes the way a person really is inside is not known until some time goes by and their real “fruit” is revealed. Jesus Christ came into the world to “save” people from their “sinful” hearts so they might bear “good fruit”. When they believe in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He gives them a new “heart” and God the Father and others benefit from the “good fruit” they bear.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “a good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".