“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
All winter long I have kept a box of what looks like rabbit droppings in my refrigerator. These are the cocoons of my blue orchard bees. Last summer these bees spun their little balls inside hollow reeds and then waited, virtually lifeless, until Spring. I will soon set them out in the orchard and they will come to life again. Busting out of their little tombs, they will go out to pollinate the flowers on the fruit trees. The flowers will then grow into the apples, plums, peaches, and pears that will be harvested come fall.
With the collapse of the honeybee population, these little blue bees are what is necessary for an abundant crop of fruit. It reminds me of the Resurrection. Were it not for the Resurrection – if Jesus did not defeat death and come out of his tomb – then he couldn’t send us the Holy Spirit. And without the Spirit how would we receive the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.)?
All the good fruit in my orchard starts with the little bees bursting out of their cocoons. All the good fruit of the Spirit starts with Jesus bursting out of his tomb. May the fruit of the Spirit grow in you as you celebrate the good news of Easter.
Pastor Mark