Beyond the Weekend: Parables
The stories Jesus told and what they mean for your life today.
Why did Jesus teach in stories? Because the deepest truths about God are often found in the ordinary moments of life.
In the parables, Jesus takes everyday things, a lost sheep, a dinner party, a farmer planting seeds and uses them to show us what God is really like and what it means to follow him.
This summer, we’re spending seven weeks in the parables from Luke’s gospel. Whether you’ve heard these stories a hundred times or this is your first time, you’re invited to come and hear them fresh.
June 27/28–August 8/9
The Fruit
Read: Luke 6:43-45 | Listen: Luke 6
No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Luke 6:43
Fruit orchards and vineyards cover the hillside of Israel. After warning his disciples about spiritual blindness and pitfalls, Jesus gives another picture to consider. Everyone knows that healthy trees produce good fruit, while unhealthy trees do not. Figs come from fig trees and grapes grow on healthy vines. In the same way, Jesus explains how words and actions reveal what is growing in the hearts of his listeners. Good fruit—God-honoring words and actions—grow from a heart that is rooted in God and his Word.
Many voices compete for our attention today. Influencers, celebrities, podcasts, friends, teachers, and even coworkers all shape the way we think. Some of the messages sound wise or appealing, but not every voice leads us toward Jesus. Jesus calls us to look beyond what people say and pay attention to the fruit of their lives. Healthy, fruitful lives are marked by humility, integrity, love, and truth that point others to Christ rather than simply telling people what they want to hear. The same principle applies to us. Our words, attitudes, and actions reveal what fills our hearts. As we spend time with Jesus, he transforms us from the inside out so that our lives increasingly reflect his character. He sets the perfect example and standard by which every voice is measured. When we follow him, we become the kind of people who bear good fruit and help others do the same.
TODAY: Memorize Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” As you go through your day, ask yourself: What voices are shaping my heart, and is their fruit drawing me close to Jesus?
