Terrestrial Testimony

From the Pulpit – October 17, 2021
Omaha World Herald
Reverend Eric L. Jay

“Terrestrial Testimony”

The beauty of Fall reminds us of the beautiful work God has promised to do in our hearts through faith in Him.

Watching the green canopy of leaves slowly change into a beautiful array of colors reminds me that, “God has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Eccl. 3:11). His time is perfect because only He can see all things at once. We can trust His timing because, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6)

Trees shed their leaves to survive the winter. The beautiful colors of the leaves are the signs of death; a necessary dying to preserve life. Here we see a living testimony and reminder of our Lord’s death that has brought us life, and our dying to self that allows the beauty of the life and salvation God has given us in Christ to be seen. Jesus said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Jhn.12, Mtt.10)

Once the leaves have fallen and the trees are left barren, we may find it hard to see anything beautiful. Yet, it is the beauty of what we cannot see that brings hope and reminds us of what it means to have faith in our unseen Lord. We know the leaves will return, and the same Lord who created the trees has promised, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3)

Look with the eyes of faith as the leaves die and change color and be reminded of the beauty of the cross where our Lord died and rose again to change the grave from death to life. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” After His resurrection, Jesus revealed Himself to a doubting disciple and said in John 20:29, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Yield to the loving cuts of the Vinedresser and allow Him to bring death to what must die, that the life He has given you might be lived in full, and remember the words of Jesus in John 15, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Abide in me, and I in you. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”