Fruitfulness Multiplied

I always looked at this passage in Genesis in terms of procreation.It is the same instruction God gave to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28: “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” Noah and his family were charged with re-populating the earth after the flood. God wanted them to be a new beginning for humankind. But the sins of human willfulness prevailed, which is why we are all in need of a Savior.

In his Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus instructed his followers to spread the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth. In essence — to be fruitful. So, as Christians, does this command from Genesis not also pertain to us spiritually? If we are to grow in Christ and bear fruit, are we not also called to multiply the number of those who are to be heaven bound? 

What a wonderful correlation between Genesis and the end of Matthew’s gospel. Adam and Eve, and then later Noah and his children, were fruitful in multiplying human beings. And then Jesus commissions us to bring them back into relationship with God.

God creates. Humankind procreates. Jesus then re-creates us through the power of his sacrifice on the cross for our sins. And with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we bear witness to him.

Dearest Lord, show each of us today how to bear fruit to attract a hungry world wanting to make sense of their existence. We ask for your Holy Spirit to guide us in fulfilling the Great Commission and multiplying the faithful so all may come to know your merciful grace. We pray this through Jesus and in his name. Amen.

Consider This: How can you be more fruitful so others will be drawn to discover the spiritual treasure you have in Jesus?

Additional Resource: Your Life is a Witness