Continual Fruit March 21, 2016

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream,. . .it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV

This is my 30th year in public education.  In the next couple of years I will be looking at retirement.   No more school pictures, winter breaks (used to call it Christmas break), or cafeteria food.  I am not sure what God has planned for me during my retirement years, but one thing is certain, a retirement from Kingdom work is not an option. 

As I think about Christ's last days on earth, I am drawn this morning to one of the last utterances of our Lord and Savior as he hung dying on the cross.  To the thief crucified beside Jesus who defended his Christ's honor, Jesus spoke these words, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Just hours or minutes from death, Jesus is still bearing fruit for the kingdom of God.  Yes, he was God, but he was also man.  He felt pain just as deeply you or me.  His body reacted just as ours would to the lashes and nails.  Jesus hurt and bled. His concern about this criminal's soul did not come from a high, heavenly place beyond our grasp.  It came through his humanity, through his pain, through his compassion.  He did "not cease to bear fruit."

Does Christian service get tiring?  Sure. Do we have dry seasons during our ministries?  Most likely.  But if we follow Christ's example, our love for others and our desire to share the Gospel message will be on lips even at death.