Fruit Bearing 101
The Bible calls us to be fruitful. What does fruitfulness look like? John 12 gives five examples.
1Lazarus is fruitful simply by being present at the dinner in Bethany (John 12:1-11). His resurrection from the dead testifies to the divinity of Jesus, causing many Jews are trusting in Him. So it is with all of us who by faith are made alive in Christ. And that is reason enough for the high priest to add Lazarus to his hit list.
Lazarus bears fruit by being made alive by Christ. If you trust in Jesus, so do you!
2His sister Mary pours costly perfume on the feet of Jesus. Judas, claiming concern for the poor, chides Mary. Jesus defends Mary’s actions, and John informs us that Judas, the treasurer, had his hand in the till. When we publicly express our joy in Christ, someone who is sacrificing nothing (or even harboring a pet sin) may criticize and accuse us.
Mary bears the fruit of gratitude and extravagant sacrifice. Let’s not allow complainers to hinder our joy, thankfulness, and fruitfulness.
3Cheering crowds welcome Jesus into Jerusalem. John 12:18 informs us that many join the crowd, because the eye-witnesses to the resurrection of Lazarus had been gossiping this death-defeating news all over the city.
By their exuberant testimony the eye-witnesses bear much fruit! What have we seen and heard concerning Jesus? With whom will we share it today?
4Jesus. In John 12:20-24, some Greeks seek an audience with Jesus. The Lord responds to their request by speaking about glory and fruitfulness. What a strange kind of glory it is, for it arrives only by falling to the ground like a grain of wheat and dying in the soil. This death will result in a vast harvest! Jesus Himself is the grain of wheat who, by dying, will produce a multitude of seeds, when the Father gives His only Son so that the world shall not perish but receive everlasting life (John 3:16).
At no time does Jesus Christ appear more glorious than the hours when He suffered to free us from the curse that hung over us. We who trust in Him are the fruit of His glorious suffering.
5We disciples today. Now Jesus describes how we too will be fruitful, if we follow His model and example: “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be” (John 12:25-26a NIV).
What Jesus did, He invites us to do. Today, you and I will encounter numerous opportunities to bear fruit by taking up our cross and following Jesus, our Model. Though this pathway appears to be fatal and shameful, our Cross-Bearer promises us: “My Father will honor the one who serves me” (v. 26b).
What limits does God place on Jesus’ invitation and promise in John 12:24-26?
What limits do I, my church, or Bible scholars place on John 12:24-26?
Will I trust the fullness of this text or attempt to seek refuge in a fraction of it?
This is post #20 in an ongoing dialog about the Gospel of John occurring online at www.philbickel.com, Facebook, and Youtube. You’re invited to join the conversation.
A catalyst for the dialogue is a free 97-page ebook by Phil Bickel, Fullness or Fraction in the Gospel of John, which introduces readers to 10 essential building blocks of life in Christ.