Part 1

I’ve been studying Christian fruitfulness lately, and it’s led me to examine the immense fruitfulness that King Jesus wrought and displays. Without a doubt, He was and is and forever will be the truest of all Vines which render total bounty for God’s Kingdom (Jn. 15:1). Over and over again, we’re given great glimpses of His fruit’s sweetness and abundance: He shines as God’s pattern that all barren branches should mimic.

If we truly believe that all of Scripture has been given “for our learning” and “admonition“, then the fruitful testimony of King Jesus should be very well-considered and reflected on (1 Cor. 10:11; Rom. 15:4; 4:23-24; 1 Cor. 9:9-10; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). How did He bear such perfect fruit, and what was the key to His own wrought abundance? As we well-meditate on such wonder, we will be shown an utmost and perfect example for us to follow after. Jesus is the most fruitful “Branch of the Lord“, and whatever He reaps is “beautiful… glorious… excellent… and comely” (Isa. 4:2). As such, He is the only perfect “Root” that will furnish our true sweetness, and the only “Branch” upon which all other ripeness must grow (Rev. 22:16; Isa. 11:1; 53:2).

The Bible calls King Jesus an “ensign of the people” (Isa. 11:10). The original word Isaiah used here is “nace” and it means, “A signal or token; a standard; a banner or sign”. It comes from a root word that means, “To serve as a signal; to raise a beacon; to set a standard”. What a worthy title! And how true we know it to be! The Lord Jesus is the only perfect “ensign”, “signal”, and “standard” of anything worth having, including that lasting fruitfulness to be born upon the heart’s branches. We’re told to “hear ye” the trumpet that this great “ensign” is blowing (Isa. 18:3). And why? Because this trumpet points us in the right direction. Yes, the highway that it leads us down is the only path which God has divinely accredited, and thereby the only trek that will bear proper fruit. Jesus truly is our chiefest standard. This is why Paul called Him the “Firstborn of many brethren”, because a right view of His trodden path will further the trek down our own (Rom. 8:29; Jn. 1:12; 2 Cor. 3:18).

The Biblical record overflows with such counsel: Over and over it teaches us the value of our Lord’s firstborn pattern, and the mimicked response that God expects from us as a result! Jesus brought the first fruit to perfection, and He is the “Captain” of our journey toward similar rich bounty (Heb. 2:10). He is the Master that all fruitful servants should mimic (Lk. 6:40). We’re admonished to look “unto Jesus” (Heb. 12:1-2), to “consider Him” well (Heb. 12:3), and to ponder His greatness (Heb. 7:4). We’re told to examine His ministry (Heb. 3:1), allow His mind as our own (Phil. 2:5-9), and pursue like perfection (Heb. 6:1; Matt. 5:48). We must ponder His costly wounds (Jn. 20:27), wait upon His design (Isa. 8:17), and look unto His holiness (Isa. 31:1). We’re encouraged to look upon the One who was pierced (Zech. 12:10), to rightly behold Him and His good deeds (Jn. 1:29), and to see and believe His example (Jn. 6:40). We’re to look for His day (Jn. 8:56), to search out His ways (Jer. 29), and to declare Him as the truest foundation (1 Cor. 3:11).  Scripture teaches us to hear Him, to handle His words of life, and to follow Him wherever He goes (Matt. 4:19). We’re told to come after Him (Mk. 1:17), to hearken unto Him (Deut. 18:15, 19), and to heed what we’ve heard Him say (Matt. 24:4). We must never neglect Him (Heb. 2:1-3) nor refuse “Him that speaketh” (Heb. 12:25-26), for even His suffering serves as an exemplary pattern (Heb. 5:9), and we would be foolish to ignore it. Let’s learn of Him (Matt. 11:29), and be like-minded (Rom. 15:5). Let us love as He fervently loved (1 Pet. 1:22; Jn. 13:34; 15:13), walk with God as He faithfully walked (Eph. 5:2; 1 Jn. 2:6), and teach as He lovingly taught (Matt. 28:19). If He truly is our pattern, then let us give as He gave (Matt. 7:10; 1 Jn. 3:16), let us hate what He hates (Eph. 4:26-27), and let us be humbled as He was humbled Himself (Phil. 2:5-6). If we’re those looking for a fruitful crop, we must be willing to pattern His suffering (1 Pet. 3:17-18) and remain in His steps (Ps. 85:13). And why? Because to share in the likeness of His death is to thereby share in the likeness of His resurrection (Phil. 3:10-11; Rom. 6:5)!

Reader, this is how we can be fruitful! Simply consider Jesus: He is the sample of the whole harvested lot; He is the original copy of countless yet to be made (Isa. 1:3; 5:12; 41:20; Ezek. 18:28; Hag. 1:5). God is speaking in these last days “by His Son”, so why should we refuse it (Heb. 1:1-2)? Jesus is our mirror and our truest lesson toward fruitfulness. But are we examining His reflection? Are we listening to His voice? Are we seeking to grow patterned after His “ensign” of abundant life (Rev. 12:11; Rom. 15:2-3; Ps. 119:35; Matt. 20:27-28; Jn. 13:14-16; Jn. 13:34; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 2:20; 4:19; Eph. 5:1-2; 1 Pet. 4:1)?

Oh the great import of these thoughts! Jesus is the one and only true route to the sort of fruit that God wants to eat! He is the very truest “door” into all produce and pasture (Jn. 10:7-9). He is the invitation for us to grow entire gardens, where before only few branches bud!

“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (Jn. 13:15)

And yet, dear reader, what can this all mean for us today? In what direction does such a grand truth now aim us toward? I believe it should point us toward a very specific and thoughtful discussion: Let us now ask, what sort of fruit does our Lord bear, past and present? Yes, if Jesus truly is to be our divine pattern and chief example, it would be ever-wise to consider His fruit’s nature, motive, and process.

To be continued…