"Branches" (Messages From The Pulpit)

So often The Bible speaks of trees, branches, fruit, and roots.
After the world was flooded and The Ark finally landed on dry land we know the story about Noah sending a dove out with an olive branch. These days we come to link doves and olive branches as a sign of peace.
Doves are also carry great weight as symbols in The Bible.
Doves were often offered as a sacrifice of purity.
A dove came down from the heavens during The Baptism of Jesus. A voice from Heaven said about Jesus,
"This is my Son in whom I am well pleased."
Imagery of doves comes again at The Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came into the Upper Room in the
form of a dove.
Before Jesus ascended into Heaven promised to send a new comforter. That comforter was The Holy Spirit. Jesus is said to be the Prince of Peace. So as the third person of The Holy Trinity, The Holy Spirit is poured out upon us. To bring us comfort and peace.
Isaiah 53: 5 "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him. And by His stripes we are healed."
This verse from Isaiah 53 is a prophetic vision of what Jesus would accomplish as he somehow endured His
Passion. The ultimate sacrifice for purity. The ultimate sacrifice for peace.
As Christians our roots should be based on The Word of God which feeds us more than any morsel of food that comes from the earth and prepared by human hands.
When we drink of the living water that pours from The Heart of Jesus. From His wounded side where blood and water spilled from our Savior, Jesus Christ.
A water that feeds the seed of faith that The Holy Spirit alone can plant in our hearts. Even with the faith as small as a mustard seed we can do great things through Him that strengthens us.
If Jesus is our true vine then us being the branches of Jesus and if we run from the sin that so easily ensnares us we will produce a great harvest.
A harvest soon to be collected. A harvest of souls who seek forgiveness and eternal rest with Jesus whom brings a peace that passes all human understanding.
A harvest which has it's roots in Jesus. In a world where if you take a little time to look around you'll see signs of our creators handy work.
The wonders of the sea. The beauty that is spread throughout the world. Everything from the plants and trees to all the animals we see. Many of these animals are symbols of God's being.
The Lion, The Lamb, and The Dove. Body, Soul, and Mind. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.