Jesus Christ continually nourishes and cherishes the church, His body, with a tender concern for its spiritual needs, just as a husband is called to provide for his wife. He provides spiritual food through the inspired Word of God, ensuring that the church has all things necessary for life and growth. This nourishment is an ongoing process, designed to bring the church to maturity and to edify its members through the ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Christ's care is evident in the provision of the Bible as sustenance for the heart and mind, urging daily study and prayer to maintain a vibrant relationship with Him. The church is not left in a spiritual wilderness; Christ ensures that spiritual nourishment is always available, guiding through His Spirit. As members, there is no excuse for ignorance or weakness, for He provides unadulterated spiritual milk and meat for growth, from the initial stages as new members to maturity in grace and knowledge. Christ's nourishing extends to opportunities for public worship and fellowship, where true Christians gather not just out of duty, but to be fed spiritually and to grow together as part of God's Family. This ongoing work of nourishment and cherishing reflects Christ's ultimate purpose for the church—to present it to Himself as a glorious bride, without spot or wrinkle, perfected through a continual process of sanctification. His love and care are constant, ensuring the church's spiritual health and development, preparing it for the ultimate marriage to Him and life in God's Kingdom.

In the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, the tree's fruitlessness stems from a lack of proper nourishment, though it receives some, as without it, the tree would have died. Yet, it does not obtain the nutrition required to produce the fruit the owner desires. Applied to us as individuals, this highlights that Jesus Christ, our Keeper, has already provided the spiritual nourishment we need through His Spirit and His Word, and He continues to teach us through His servants. Our predicament arises when we fail to seek out this nourishment or when distractions prevent its absorption, allowing contrary influences to wash out the good and hinder fruitfulness. The parable also illustrates the keeper digging around the tree, showing that Jesus will do all He can to ensure spiritual nutrients reach us, even disturbing our environments or shaking up our circumstances to turn us back to our Source of life. As free-moral agents, we choose to accept or reject these spiritual resources, ultimately deciding whether to bear fruit. Christ, our Keeper, fights for our spiritual lives, intervening when necessary to help us return to our Source and produce fruit that pleases Him. When we are not adequately rooted or fail to make use of the spiritual food God provides, allowing other concerns to chase it out, we choose to remain dormant. The solution lies in refocusing on the source of spiritual and eternal life, so we can glorify God by bearing much fruit.

Feeding the mind with spiritual nourishment is a vital principle derived from the experiences of Isaac's sons, akin to the assimilation of physical food. Just as the body can only work with the food it is given, the mind operates within the quality and quantity of knowledge provided through genetics, instruction, examples, and personal experiences digested through thoughtful meditation. Jesus emphasizes in Luke 12:22-23 that life is more than food and clothing, indicating that stability and serenity of mind must come from within, not from physical provisions. To live an abundant life in peace and joy, as God intends, we must be weaned from overwhelming dependence on material things and fed with a nutritious spiritual diet. In II Timothy 1:6-7, it is revealed that a truly sound mind is produced by the Spirit of God, and without it, the mind remains limited in outlook, unstable, and self-focused, unable to cope with life in a godly manner. Jesus further expands in John 6:63 that it is the Spirit that gives life, and the words He speaks are spirit and life, playing a large role in producing the abundant life God desires for us. This quality of life depends on spiritual things, not material ones. In Deuteronomy 8:2-3, the concept is reinforced as Jesus, though wearied, finds strength and energy in doing God's work, which becomes His food, filling and exhilarating Him with a sense of satisfaction and well-being. Isaiah 55:1-3 appeals to the idea of a spiritual food that nourishes the inner man, filling life in a way material things cannot, with implications for mental health. God's pure Word can purify the mind, freeing it from pre-conversion corruption, but only if consistently consumed and applied daily, much like physical food sustains the body. A poor spiritual diet results in a spiritually weak and diseased person, just as a poor physical diet erodes vitality. A mature Christian needs solid spiritual nourishment, assimilated and actively applied, to grow and prevent regression, avoiding the sluggish spiritual deterioration seen in some. The responsibility of spiritual nourishment extends to shepherds of the flock, as Peter writes in I Peter 5:2-3 to shepherd willingly, promoting growth by feeding, protecting, guiding, and leading the minds of those entrusted to them. Jesus magnifies this in John 21:15-17, commanding Peter to feed and tend His lambs and sheep, revealing a pastor's broad responsibility for the flock's overall health and protection. As we progress in following His teaching, Jesus becomes our spiritual food, essential for life within us.