Sure, I’ve Seen Grapes
AM Psalm 75, 76 • PM Psalm 23, 27
Lev. 23:23-44 • 2 Thess. 3:1-18 • Matt. 7:13-21
I hope you’re having a good morning or whatever hour you run into this reflection. I want to warn you now, this Gospel reading is challenging. No, it’s not some red-hot take from Paul, Moses, or even the author of Psalms. Today’s reading lands us right in the middle of the red-letter words. In Jesus’s sermon on the mount, He says this:
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matt 7:13–21 NIV
Sounds easy right? I’ve seen grapes. Hold the phone.
If false prophets are so easy to spot, and grapes are not found on thornbushes, why is it that so many people in the history of people get caught up with false prophets? Why is it so easy to believe lies? Heck, in America if someone agrees with us on our favorite political position, it seems like honesty and integrity are the first two things we chuck off the train moving toward what we want. In other words, despite the presence of bad fruits (consistently dishonest behavior), we’re willing to follow anyone that agrees with us or anyone we perceive to be a step towards power. Weird. Even weirder? Following bad fruits changes us. What we once saw as a sacrifice for the greater good, eventually becomes something we swallow whole heartedly with loyal zeal. It’s a strange phenomenon. I direct you to Google the “Milgram experiments.”
As I write this, please know I’m indicting myself. I’ve been misled more times than I’d like to admit. What’s troubled me even more about these verses lately are Jesus’s words that precede them:
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Matt 7:7–9 NIV
I don’t really have any good answers today as to why false prophets are so easy to follow or why so often it feels like we’re eating rocks when we ask for bread. All I can say is that if you’ve ever been misled and felt foolish, you’re in good company. I also believe prayer is worth sticking with. It’s helpful to be mindful in life and faith that there may be variables unknown to us.
May God grant you peace about whatever is in your heart today.
Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, Prayer 39. p.827
Written by Jonathan Wright
Jonathan is a native of Atlanta, GA and came St. Paul’s from the Cathedral Church of Saint Mark in Salt Lake City, UT. He enjoys a good laugh, spending time with his dog Polly, and reading people’s reflections on the scriptures every morning.