Using the words of Basil, a fourth-century theologian, “A tree is known by its fruit…” Proverbially, the quality of a tree is known by the quality of the fruits borne by the tree. The fruit we generate as a church and as a leader determines our missional functionality and not just appearance. The reflection is that without fruit, church and leadership become burdens and consumers. Jesus cursed the fig tree to point us to the “fruitlessness” of Israel’s leadership, the disappointment of Jesus in finding all their religiosity to be “nothing but leaves,” and the inevitability of their utter rejection and punishment in consequence of their failure to produce.’

What would Jesus see about your activities, committee meetings, and leadership retreat today? Jesus sees all the activity around the fig tree as nothing but leaves. When we observe much of our religious activity, what are we producing, leaves or fruit? Lent calls us into fruitfulness. Beloved, God saved and called us as leaders and churches to bear fruit despite the seductions and pride of today’s culture. The message of the Bible is that God looks for fruits in the lives of those He has saved. Are you saved?

Your salvation determines your fruit-bearing. Like a gardener, God looks for branches that bear fruit. God expects branches attached to the True Vine, Jesus, to bear fruit. Are you, as a leader or church, connected to Jesus as your Lord and Saviour? Remember, fruit-bearing is a sign of discipleship, not just management of an institution. Jesus chose us and appointed us to go and bear fruit.

Jesus instructs us about the means and methods of bearing fruit. Jesus said, “By this, My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (Jn 15:8). There is something that glorifies God: “That you bear much fruit.” No fruit, no glory. The sad news is that there are many people whose lives bear leaves but no fruit. Lent summons you and me to rediscover who we are as a leader and church. Are you a branch of the Vine of Jesus Christ? The reflection is that you cannot connect to the Vine without bearing fruit. Lent invites us to check our attachments and connections. Lent is about our inward life in union with Jesus Christ, showing outwardly Jesus Christ-like fruit as a church and a leader.

O Lord, help the church and its leadership to rediscover their true identity as branches of the Vine of Jesus Christ and not of the seductions of today’s culture.