Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.John 15:4-8
How easy is it to chastise a tree into bearing more fruit? If this worked, I guarantee you there would be speakers blaring admonishments to every tree in every orchard in the world. It does not work. You cannot chastise a tree, or a person, into bearing more fruit. Fruit is spontaneous. When a tree is healthy, the fruit just happens. So why do we often work so hard at chastising ourselves into bearing more fruit? In addition, why are we so intent on condemning and chastising others into being more fruitful?
When Christ walked the Earth, He did not round up sinners with the intent of overcoming them, imprisoning them or otherwise affecting their lives with burdens too heavy to bear. He did not throw up His banner of righteousness declaring a holy war on humanity’s imperfections; even though He probably had every right to do so. Instead, Christ became flesh and, dwelling among us, related directly to the inadequacy of man in the face of the sin we endure. He did this purely so he could understand our weaknesses and help us. When the halt, the blind, the possessed and the sinner, came to Christ, he healed them, showed them how to find refuge from the pain in their soul and then sent them on their way in peace. Occasionally he would tell them “Go, and sin no more” but these were more words of love and encouragement than chastisement.
Conversely, the religious leaders and hypocritical “righteous ones” of Christ’s day shunned these same men, women and children declaring them “evil and unclean”. If any approached looking for help, they sent them away, leaving them unaided and empty handed. Christ had outright vehement disdain for these religious leaders and even went so far as to call them hypocrites, blind and vipers whenever they crossed paths. But before we point the finger too much at these Pharisees we must also remember that Christ warned us if our own righteousness does not exceed that of these religious leaders, we too would not see the kingdom of God. It is an admonition I remind myself of on a regular basis. For a good look in the mirror in this regard, I highly recommend the book by John Fischer called “Twelve Steps for the Recovering Pharisee, Like Me”. It opened my eyes to a huge problem I had, completely changed my outlook on others, and I readily admit now that I am a recovering Pharisee.
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 18:9-14
Christ knew the religion of his day, (firmly in control of the descendants of Moses, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) was seriously flawed. The same men who lay claim to the promises given to Abraham, and his seed, now had complete control of the temple and were using it for their own personal gain. Christ promised them He would tear down their earthly physical temple though and raise up His own spiritual temple in its place…in the space of only three short days.
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
John 2:12-22
Christ did in fact raise up his spiritual temple in just three short days, but many seek it and do not find it because they look in the physical realm instead of the spiritual. Christ’s temple is not a tangible building or place. It is, instead, a spiritual temple constructed of living stones that cannot be moved. More on that later.
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Peter 2:4-12
The only name you will ever find on this true temple of Christ’s body is the name of Jesus Christ. It is a spiritual building and has a rock solid foundation. On its base is inscribed the words:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
