Luke 13:6-9
“He also spoke this parable: ‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down: why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.”
The above text contains one of the shorter parables
of Jesus. A good layman’s definition of the term “parable” is “an
earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” The earthly story is clear,
let’s discover the meaning.
Within this parable, Jesus teaches the expectations of God. Just as the
owner of the vineyard expected his fig tree to bear fruit, God expects
His creatures to accomplish His purposes.
In Colossians 1:16 Paul writes, “All things were created through Him
and for Him.” Each individual human being was “created” for
the service of God. Each individual is expected to do something with
their opportunities. One of the tests of discipleship is the amount
accomplished in comparison to the amount of opportunities given (Matthew
25:14-30). Jesus says in John 15:8, “By this My Father is glorified,
that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
Secondly, this parable teaches about the character of God. Though it may
be instinctive to give up on us at the first sign of failure, God is
longsuffering. Thankfully, just as the owner of the vineyard was willing
to give this fig tree more time to produce, our God often gives us extra
opportunities and time to fix our lives.
2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord...is longsuffering toward us, not willing
that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” God
is longsuffering because it is not His desire to see us perish in our
sins. Verse 15 says, “...consider that the longsuffering of our Lord
is salvation…” Thankfully, God gives us more time to fix our lives
and be saved from the consequences of our sins.
Finally, the parable of the barren fig tree shows us God’s consequences.
Yes, God is longsuffering. Yes, He is merciful. Yes, He desires all men
to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Yet, there will come a time when all second
chances, all extra opportunities, and every moment of time is gone.
Eventually, God will return to check our spiritual fruit.
John 15:2 says, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes
away…” Verse 6 continues, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is
cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw
them into the fire, and they are burned.”
Better get to work.
December 2005