“Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his
vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said
to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming
to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why
should it use up the soil?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one
more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next
year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'” (Luke 13:6-9 NIV)
Our next door neighbors had a fig
tree. My parents loved figs. But figs were never my favorite fruit. My wife
loves fig preserves. I still don’t like figs or fig preserves. Yet, for some
unknown reason, I love Fig Newton bars. I could eat them all day long. Go
figure.
tree. My parents loved figs. But figs were never my favorite fruit. My wife
loves fig preserves. I still don’t like figs or fig preserves. Yet, for some
unknown reason, I love Fig Newton bars. I could eat them all day long. Go
figure.
In today’s text passage, a
non-fruit yielding fig tree is being threatened by the orchard’s owner. He has
waited three years for the tree to begin producing figs. Now, his patience has
run out and it’s decision time. Cut down the tree.
non-fruit yielding fig tree is being threatened by the orchard’s owner. He has
waited three years for the tree to begin producing figs. Now, his patience has
run out and it’s decision time. Cut down the tree.
At first glimpse, we realize that
growing figs is a harsh business. Yet, the parable is an illustration. How does
this fig parable illustrate the Lord’s teaching on repentance (vss. 1-5)? What
do figs and repentance have in common? Or at least, what does this non-fruit
bearing tree have to do with it?
growing figs is a harsh business. Yet, the parable is an illustration. How does
this fig parable illustrate the Lord’s teaching on repentance (vss. 1-5)? What
do figs and repentance have in common? Or at least, what does this non-fruit
bearing tree have to do with it?
The wise orchard-keeper pleaded
for more time to work with the tree. Breaking up the soil around its roots and
fertilizing the tree may empower its fruit-bearing capability. This gardener
must represent the grace of God through the Holy Spirit. So, if one’s sins are
no greater than another’s (vss. 3 & 5), then we all need more digging and
fertilizer around our roots and more time. So ponder the fig tree and remember
— repentance that doesn’t bear fruit is useless.
for more time to work with the tree. Breaking up the soil around its roots and
fertilizing the tree may empower its fruit-bearing capability. This gardener
must represent the grace of God through the Holy Spirit. So, if one’s sins are
no greater than another’s (vss. 3 & 5), then we all need more digging and
fertilizer around our roots and more time. So ponder the fig tree and remember
— repentance that doesn’t bear fruit is useless.
Dear Father, thank you for your
grace and patience. Empower us to repent and bear fruit. This I pray in the
name of Jesus.
grace and patience. Empower us to repent and bear fruit. This I pray in the
name of Jesus.
Be strong and courageous today as
you ponder this parable,
you ponder this parable,