The pomegranate is an interesting fruit known for its many seeds and vivid blood red color.
This fruit is referenced in the Torah as one of the ordainments on the garment of the high priest. “And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, all around its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe all around.” Exodus 28:33-34 It would be good to learn more about this fruit.
While people often try to justify overlooking the harm the alcohol in wine can cause by pointing out the antioxidant benefits, many may not be aware that you can get three times the amount of antioxidants from pomegranate juice while avoiding the negative effects of alcohol. Pomegranates have also been praised for impressive anti-inflammatory properties that could help the body fight certain cancers (Leech, Joe MS 2018). You can also gain over 40% of the daily recommendation of vitamin C in one serving of fresh pomegranate juice and it is also a good source of vitamin E, vitamin K, folate, and potassium (Ferreira, Mandy 2019).
Besides the health benefits of pomegranate there are spiritual lessons as well. The priests or cohanim were to have pomegranates on their garments. This wasn’t just important for them, “But you are a chosen people, the King’s cohanim, a holy nation, a people for God to possess! Why? In order for you to declare the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9. We should all be priests of God, and just as the pomegranate is packed with many seeds, our lives should provide many seeds of truth to plant in the hearts of others wherever we go.
Yeshua told a story, “…A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some seed fell alongside the path; and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky patches where there was not much soil. It sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow; but when the sun had risen, the young plants were scorched; and since their roots were not deep, they dried up. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. But others fell into rich soil and produced grain, a hundred or sixty or thirty times as much as had been sown. Those who have ears let them hear!” Matthew 13:3-9.
Sometimes our attempts to reflect the goodness of God may fall on deaf ears regardless of how well we share and try to follow God, but we should never be discouraged and stop sharing the seeds of truth as we hope that some will receive it with a willing heart. We should aim to produce a large harvest of souls for God in gratitude for all God has done for us. Let the blood red color of the pomegranate be a consistent reminder that it is only through the blood of Yeshua that we can have the truth planted within us in the first place and experience spiritual growth, not in our own merits and wisdom. So when you think of this fruit remember to care not only for your physical health but for your spiritual health and that of those of those around you.
References:
Ferreira, Mandy 2019 “Fifteen health benefits of pomegranate juice” Medical News Today received from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318385.php
Leech, Joe MS 2018 “12 Health Benefits of Pomegranate” Health Line.com received from
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-proven-benefits-of-pomegranate#section3
Picture originally found here
