Aspects I: Fake Olive Tree
- Lisa Livezey
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. —John 12:6 RSV
This olive tree looks very convincing — the leaves are green and shaped appropriately and fruit is visible. But an attempt to crush the leaves, cut the wood, or press the olives would yield only man-made plastic.
Jesus spoke about those who honored Him with their lips but their hearts were far from Him (Matthew 15:8). He told the parable of the Sheep and the Goats where the goats seemed unaware that they were fakers. Outwardly they were doing good works, but Jesus said He never knew them.
Judas Iscariot faked his devotion to Jesus and we have no indication that the other disciples knew the true state of his heart. But Jesus knew.
Prayer
Lord, we look at outward appearances, but You look at the heart. In what condition do you find my heart? Please do Your work within me and find my heart true to You.
Quote
His theft from the purse revealed a heart already turned away.
//St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)*
Thought
One way to check if an olive is real is to crush it and see what is produced.
Like this devotion? Scroll down to the little heart and turn it red.
Today begins a five-part series entitled Aspects of the Olive Tree, culminating with an opportunity to join The Orchard, a fuller version of Olive Tree Blog. The Orchard will offer a deeper devotional experience through P.R.I.S.M., a form of Visio Divina. Stay tuned for more details. (A free version of Olive Tree Blog will remain available through my Substack page.)
*Of, Bernard, John Leinenweber, and Mark A Scott. 2013. Sermons for Lent and the Easter Season. Collegeville, Minnesota: Cistercian Publications.
On the Open Doors Podcast, we are covering Personal Prayer: A Guide for Receiving the Father's Love," authored by two monks from St. Vincent Archabbey where my son and I visted last summer. The book's Intro alone is worth reading! The following episode covers the Intro and Chapter One.
~ "Posts from the Past!" Scroll down to find three earlier blog posts related to today's theme.
~ Encouragment for the caregiver: Minding Mom: A Caregiver's Devotional Story
~ If you're feeling the winter doldrums, Guideposts' Inspiration from the Garden devotional gives refreshing promise that spring will indeed arrive! You'll find therein devotions by your's truly about the hardy pansy, a godly organic farmer, and perennial friendships.
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