Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Ezekiel 47:12
And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.

Ezekiel's vision he received from the Lord is wrapping up. He has spent the last 8 chapters describing the temple and all things surrounding it. At the end of this vision, Ezekiel was given a description of water flowing from the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. This water has ever wider influence, until it goes into the sea, where it becomes fresh. This fresh water then is the life-giving substance to all those things that are living within its reach. Then, in this verse, the imagery is given of trees that are beside the river, which grow, and are producing fruit that is used for healing.

The imagery of this verse is incredible and powerful. This life-giving water that originated from the temple, and ultimately from south of the altar is nothing less than the life giving ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. His blood, that was shed on the altar and sprinkled on its sides, and ultimately sprinkled upon me, and all who believe produces something grand and magnificent. Jesus calls Himself the living water, probably taken from this imagery and many other places in the Scriptures. Jesus is the life giving water that flows from the sacrifice of His own blood. This water seems to start out small, flowing out, then growing deeper and deeper, until it becomes a powerful river. This river produces life, and life abundantly.

This life produced from the river, flowing from Christ, causes growth on all sides of it. There aren't just a few people, or a few special Christians who get an extra measure of grace and grow from it. Rather, all those who drink of the living water will grow. But this growth does not just produce nice, and healthy looking trees, but these trees actually produce fruit. This fruit is constant, and it is life giving. Unlike most trees, every single month more fruit is produced. This fruit, in no uncertain terms is ascribed to be the result of the life-giving water that flows from the sanctuary, from the temple, ultimately from Jesus Christ.

So, as long as the trees are continuously drinking from the water of life, that living water of Jesus Christ, they will continue to produce fruit. But, this fruit is not just to look nice, it is to fill people up, and the leaves of the tree are also used for healing, medicine. It is interesting here how the tree is extremely useful. It is not just used for filling people up, but also healing their wounds.

Where do I begin applying this to my life?

First off, As mentioned above, Jesus Christ is the source of all of the good things found in Christianity. There is nothing good that can come from people, or plans, or churches unless its source is ultimately Jesus Christ. Take Jesus Christ away, and you have nothing, but salty water that kills. Keep Jesus at the forefront, and fresh water used for nourishment and growth will prevail.

Secondly, the work of the gospel did not start from Christ's death as a great tidal wave, consuming all of the world, but rather, it started small, and began to collect momentum, and ultimately produced the great and awesome river of redemption that has been occurring since the time of Pentecost. Do not despise the small things, oh my soul, for Christ, the King of the world began His kingdom small, and then grew it to a gigantic size. The parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13:29-32 comes to mind. This seed started small, but it grew greatly until it became a tree that animals found safety, comfort and shelter in.

Thirdly, the work of the gospel does not come from my own power or eloquence, but rather, it comes from the faithful drinking of the water of Jesus Christ. As I grow by the river, and drink deeply of the living water, I grow as a tree. As I continue to drink, I continue to bear fruit. The fruit is eaten by the nations, as I tell and show them of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This fruit will never stop bearing as long as I continue to drink of the river of life. However, this gospel, given in Jesus Christ does more than just give fruit to feed, but it also brings healing. Oh, there are many broken souls out there today hurting. There are many families that are suffering from bad relationships, many children being hurt by their parents, many marriages that are crumbling. If only my life would be drinking from Jesus Christ so deeply, that my fruit would bear every month, and my leaves would look useful for healing.

There are many more things that can be drawn from this passage, but time escapes me.

Oh, Father, I am reminded this morning of the fact that all good things that originate from me come from the source of living water, Jesus Christ, my penalty paid and my righteousness. I have nothing good that I can give. All the good for the world and for others come as I drink deeply of the living water of Jesus Christ. Forgive me, oh God, for how little I have been drinking of Christ. I need more of Him. I need to lean my head way back, and drink deeply. I can't do this without the power of your Spirit. Help me to be brought close to you today through Jesus Christ and for the power of His death and resurrection, my pardon and my righteousness. In Christ, amen.