Fruit That Lasts
- Kristin Smith
- Apr 15
- 2 min read
Scripture Focus
“As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’”
— Mark 11:20–21 (ESV)
Devotional Reflection
On the surface, the fig tree looked full of life—covered in leaves, promising fruit. But when Jesus approached, it was empty. What He found was all appearance and no substance.
The cursing of the fig tree is one of the most sobering and misunderstood moments in Jesus’ ministry. But it isn’t about produce—it’s about pretense. It’s a prophetic act aimed at Israel, yes, but it also confronts us: Are we bearing fruit, or just putting on leaves?
In the days leading to the cross, Jesus has no patience for performance-driven faith. He is calling His disciples—and us—into a deeper, simpler life. One that isn’t about what looks good, but what actually grows. And fruitfulness, Jesus reminds us, comes not from effort, but from abiding.
Sacred simplicity means being real before God. It’s about living from the inside out. Christ isn’t looking for polished lives—He’s seeking rooted ones. When we make space for Him, when we let our roots sink deep into His love, we bear fruit that lasts.
Inhale Truth, Exhale Trust
Breath Prayer:
Inhale: Root me in Your love…
Exhale: Grow fruit that lasts.
How to Practice a Breath Prayer:
Sit quietly and imagine yourself as a tree beside living water.
With each inhale, picture your roots going deeper in God’s love.
With each exhale, release any need to prove or perform.
Use this prayer to re-center when you feel the pressure to “look fruitful.”
Practical Application
Examine your life today: What “leaves” do you show to others that might not reflect inward fruit? Where are you striving to appear godly instead of simply abiding in Christ? Choose one way to move from appearance to authenticity.
Journal Prompt
What kind of spiritual fruit do you long to grow in your life? What practices or patterns are helping—or hindering—that growth?
Closing Prayer
Jesus, You are the vine and I am the branch. Forgive me for the ways I try to look fruitful while neglecting the root. I don’t want a life of empty leaves—I want a soul that abides in You. Simplify me, ground me, grow me in what truly lasts. Amen.
Invitation to Live with Truth, Goodness, and Beauty
Truth calls us to look beyond appearances. Goodness grows from abiding, not striving. Beauty is found in fruit that reflects the heart of God. Today, choose a life of quiet rootedness over noisy performance.
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